Radioactive material storage canister
A canister for storing radioactive materials includes a base plate, side wall and a top plate. The top plate includes a top surface with a top edge having a bevel, and with a channel set in from the top edge. The top plate is sealed to the sidewall by a weld formed between the beveled top edge and the top of the side wall. The base plate is sealed to a bottom of the sidewall, so that a sealed vessel is formed.
1. A canister for storing radioactive materials, the canister comprising:
a base plate;
a side wall having a bottom sealed to the base plate; and
a top plate including a top surface with a top edge having a bevel and with an annular channel set in from the top edge, wherein a weld is formed between the beveled top edge and a top of the side wall to seal the top plate to the side wall, and
wherein the base plate, side wall, and top plate form a sealed vessel.
2. The canister of claim 1 , wherein the base plate, side wall, and top plate form a hermetically sealed vessel.
3. The canister of claim 1 , wherein the circumferential channel is approximately as deep as the bevel extends below the top surface.
4. The canister of claim 1 , wherein the circumferential channel is deeper than the bevel extends below the top surface.
5. The canister of claim 1 , wherein the top plate includes one or more ports therethrough.
6. The canister of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the ports is disposed in the channel.
7. The canister of claim 1 , wherein the side wall forms one of two walls of a double-walled canister.
8. The canister of claim 1 , wherein the top plate is monolitihic.
9. The canister of claim 1 , wherein the annular channel circumscribes a raised central portion and the annular channel is circumscribed by a perimeter portion.
10. The canister of claim 9 , wherein the raised central portion and the perimeter portion each have a top surface that are substantially coplanar.