Sealed docking device for moblie containers of various diameters
View Patent ↗The invention relates to a device for the sealed docking ( 14 ) of mobile containers ( 42 ) equipped with plugs ( 44 ) of various diameters on a containment box ( 10 ). The device includes a center disk ( 22 ) and at least one docking flange ( 20 a , 20 b , 20 c ) that are concentric to each other, normally plugging the access opening ( 18 ) of the containment box. A locking/unlocking mechanism ( 24 ) makes it possible to only unlock the center disk ( 22 ) alone or the center disk and one or more of the docking flanges ( 20 a , 20 b , 20 c ), according to the diameter of the plug ( 44 ). This arrangement makes it possible, in particular, to clean the plug ( 44 ) of a mobile container ( 42 ) serving to transport contaminated nuclear equipment.
1. Device for the sealed docking of mobile containers equipped with plugs of various diameters on a containment box having a counter flange through which a circular access opening passes, wherein said device includes:
at least one docking flange and one center disk, concentric to each other, capable of being placed one inside the other inside the access opening of the counter flange, the outside diameters of the center disk and of each docking flange corresponding to those of the plugs;
locking/unlocking means for successively unlocking the center disk and each docking flange, by moving outwardly, and for successively locking each docking flange and the center disk, by moving inwardly, in relation to said access opening.
2. Sealed docking device as claimed in claim 1 , also including as many centering caps of various diameters as there are plug diameters, one centering cap having a diameter corresponding to that of the plug of the mobile container to be docked being fastened onto the containment box.
3. Sealed docking device as claimed in claim 2 , in which each centering cap includes unlocking limitation means, prohibiting the locking/unlocking means from unlocking each docking flange having an inside diameter larger than the diameter of the plug of the mobile container.
4. Device as claimed in claim 3 , in which the locking/unlocking means include a plate capable of rotating on the counter flange, as many pairs of cams being formed on said plate as there are plug diameters, a strike plate being engaged with each of the cams so as to move between a locking position and an unlocking position when the plate is rotated.
5. Device as claimed in claim 4 , in which the unlocking limitation means include a pin, associated with the rotating plate and lodged inside of a notch of limited circumferential length, formed in the centering cap.
6. Device as claimed in claim 5 , in which the locking/unlocking means include a spindle which passes through the counter flange and means of controlling the rotation of said spindle, the latter being engaged with a first sector gear formed on the plate and with a second sector gear formed on a ring holding the pin.
7. Device as claimed in any claim 2 , in which a floating bearing ring is mounted inside of each of the centering caps.
8. Device as claimed in claim 1 , in which the counter flange is mounted on an upper wall of the containment box and the latter contains a platform on which the docking flange and the center disk rest, control means making it possible to move the platform between a high position for holding the docking flange and the center disk inside of said opening, irrespective of the status of the locking/unlocking means, and a low position allowing the plug to be cleaned.
9. Device as claimed in claim 8 , in which the containment box contains means for cleaning the plug remotely.