Transport/storage container for radioactive elements

Abstract

A storage/transport container comprises a floor, a side wall, and a cover fittable with the side wall to form with the floor and side wall a closed interior having a height between an inner face of the floor and an inner face of the cover that is greater than an overall length of the element. A spring is engaged between a lower end of the rod and the floor and has a spring force smaller than a weight of the rod so that, when the cover is above the floor, an upper end of the rod is spaced below the cover and, when the floor is above the cover, the spring presses the rod upper end against the cover.

1 . In combination with a radioactive element, a storage/transport container comprising: 
 a floor;    a side wall;    a cover fittable with the side wall to form with the floor and side wall a closed interior having a height between an inner face of the floor and an inner face of the cover, the element having an overall length shorter by an amount shorter than the height; and    a spring engaged between a lower end of the rod and the  11  floor and having a spring force smaller than a weight of the rod, whereby when the cover is above the floor an upper end of the rod is spaced below the cover and when the floor is above the cover the spring presses the rod upper end against the cover.    
   
   
       2 . The storage/transport container defined in  claim 1  wherein the element is a fuel rod.  
   
   
       3 . The storage/transport container defined in  claim 1  wherein the spring is a coil compression spring.  
   
   
       4 . The storage/transport container defined in  claim 3  wherein the rod is formed at its lower end with a pocket at least partially receiving the spring.  
   
   
       5 . The storage/transport container defined in  claim 4  wherein the pocket is deep enough to completely contain the spring in compressed condition.