초록 ▼

A preferred storage system includes a container, a closure lid, and a compression link. Preferably, the container includes an outer wall, which defines an interior, and a first open end. The closure lid is configured to be inserted within the open end of the container, and is adapted to engage in a

A preferred storage system includes a container, a closure lid, and a compression link. Preferably, the container includes an outer wall, which defines an interior, and a first open end. The closure lid is configured to be inserted within the open end of the container, and is adapted to engage in a sealing relationship with the outer wall of the container. Preferably, the compression link includes a container engagement surface and a closure lid engagement surface. The compression link is configured to engage between the closure lid and the outer wall of the container to retain the closure lid in sealing engagement with the container. The container engagement surface and the closure lid engagement surface are configured to extend outwardly from each other, with the container engagement surface being adapted to engage the outer wall of the container and the closure lid engagement surface being adapted to engage the closure lid. Methods also are provided.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A storage system comprising:a container having a wall with an outer surface and an inner surface and a first open end, said container defining an interior;a closure lid configured to be inserted within said open end and adapted to engage in a sealing relationship with said inner surface; anda com

1. A storage system comprising:a container having a wall with an outer surface and an inner surface and a first open end, said container defining an interior;a closure lid configured to be inserted within said open end and adapted to engage in a sealing relationship with said inner surface; anda compression link having a container engagement surface and a closure lid engagement surface, said compression link being configured to engage between said closure lid and said inner surface to retain said closure lid in sealing engagement with said container, said container engagement surface and said closure lid engagement surface being configured to extend outwardly from each other, said container engagement surface being adapted to contact said inner surface and said closure lid engagement surface being adapted to engage said closure lid such that, said closure lid is retained in sealing engagement with said inner surface. 2. The storage system of claim 1, wherein said inner surface has a closure lid retention ledge formed thereon, and wherein said container engagement surface of said compression link is adapted to engage said closure lid retention ledge. 3. The storage system of claim 1, wherein said closure lid has a stepped outer surface defining an annular region, and wherein said compression link is adapted to be received within said annular region. 4. The storage system of claim 1, wherein said inner surface has a recess formed therein for receiving at least a portion of said compression link. 5. The storage system of claim 1, further comprising a backing member adapted to be inserted between said closure lid and said compression link such that insertion therebetween urges said compression link radially outwardly from said closure lid and positions said container engagement surface of said compression link for engagement with said inner surface. 6. The storage system of claim 1, further comprising:an outer lid configured for engaging a distal end of said container such that said closure lid is disposed between said outer lid and said interior. 7. The storage system of claim 6, wherein said outer lid has a lid hold-down member associated therewith for retaining said outer lid in sealing engagement with said container. 8. The storage system of claim 7, wherein said outer surface has a recess formed therein, and wherein said hold-down member has a retention ledge configured to engage said recess. 9. The storage system of claim 1, further comprising:a bearing member configured to fit between said closure lid engagement surface and said container engagement surface of said compression link, wherein said bearing member engages said closure lid. 10. The storage system of claim 9, wherein said closure lid has a stepped outer surface, said stepped outer surface being adapted to engage said bearing member. 11. The storage system of claim 10, wherein said stepped outer surface is made of a surface harder than said bearing member. 12. The storage system of claim 1, further comprising:an exothermic material, wherein said exothermic material has been inserted within said container and sealed therein. 13. The storage system of claim 12, wherein said exothermic material is spent nuclear fuel. 14. The storage system of claim 1, wherein said closure lid lacks holes for mechanical fasteners. 15. A method for storing a material comprising:providing a container having a single wall with an inner surface and an outer surface, and a first open end, said container defining an interior;providing a closure lid adapted to be received within the open end and adapted to engage in a sealing relationship with said inner surface;providing a compression link having a container engagement surface and a closure lid engagement surface; andengaging said compression link between said closure lid and said inner surface such that said closure lid is retained by placing a portion of the closure lid under compression and a corresponding portion of inner surface under tension with said compression link contacting both said closure lid and said inner surface. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of:providing an outer lid configured for engaging a distal end of the container such that the closure lid is disposed between the outer lid and the interior; andretaining the outer lid in sealing engagement with the container. 17. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of: providing a backing member; andinserting the backing member between the closure lid and the compression link such that insertion therebetween urges the compression link radially outwardly from the closure lid. 18. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of:providing a bearing member;inserting the bearing member between a portion of the compression link; andengaging said bearing member with said closure lid. 19. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of:inserting an exothermic material within the container prior to sealing the closure lid. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the exothermic material is spent nuclear fuel. 21. A storage system comprising:a container having a wall and a first open end, said wall having an inner surface and an outer surface;a closure lid configured to be inserted within said open end and adapted to engage in a sealing relationship with said inner surface;a compression link having a container engagement surface and a closure lid engagement surface, said compression link being configured to engage between and contact said closure lid and said inner surface to retain said closure lid in sealing engagement with said container; andan outer lid configured to engage a distal end of said container, wherein said outer lid has a lid hold-down member associated therewith for retaining said outer lid by exerting force on said outer surface of said wall of said container. 22. The storage system of claim 21, wherein said container is a single-walled container. 23. The storage system of claim 21, further comprising a backing member adapted to be inserted between said closure lid and said compression link such that insertion therebetween urges said compression link radially outwardly from said closure lid and positions said container engagement surface of said compression link for engagement with said inner surface. 24. The storage system of claim 21, wherein said inner surface has a recess formed therein for receiving at least a portion of said compression link. 25. The storage system of claim 21, further comprising:a bearing member configured to fit between said closure lid engagement surface and said closure lid engagement surface, wherein said bearing member engages said closure lid. 26. The storage system of claim 21, wherein said closure lid has a stepped outer surface for receiving said bearing member. 27. The storage system of claim 21, wherein said outer surface has a recess formed therein, and wherein said lid hold-down member has a retention ledge configured to engage said recess. 28. The storage system of claim 21, further comprising:an exothermic material, wherein said exothermic material has been inserted within said container and sealed therein. 29. The storage system of claim 28, wherein said exothermic material is spent nuclear fuel. 30. The storage system of claim 28, further comprising:a basket configured to be inserted within said container for storing said exothermic material, wherein said basket is comprised of a neutron absorbing material. 31. A storage system comprising:a container defining an interior and having an open end and a wall, the wall having an outer surface and an inner surface;the inner surface of the container having a first annular ledge and a first annular recess,the first annular ledge extending into the interior of the container,the first annular recess being located about a circumference of the inner surface and between the first annular ledge and the open end,the first annular recess having an upper surface;a closur e lid sized and shaped to be inserted within the open end of the container and to engage in a sealing relationship with the inner surface of the wall,the closure lid having a second annular recess formed about an outer periphery thereof, the second annular recess being defined by a lower surface,the closure lid being movable between an open position, in which the closure lid is disengaged from a sealing relationship with the container, and a closed position, in which the closure lid is inserted within the open end of the container and contacts and is supported by the first annular ledge, the first annular ledge preventing further movement of the closure lid into the interior of the container; anda compression link sized and shaped to engage between and contact the closure lid and the inner surface to retain said closure lid in sealing engagement with said container,the compression link having a container engagement surface and a closure lid engagement surface, the container engagement surface and said closure lid engagement surface being operative to extend outwardly from each other such that, when the closure lid is in the closed position and the compression link is positioned to retain the closure lid in the sealing relationship with the container, said container engagement surface contacts the upper surface of the first annular recess of the inner wall and the closure lid engagement surface contacts the lower surface of the second annular recess of the closure lid. 32. The storage system of claim 31, further comprising:a second annular recess located about a circumference of the outer wall of the container;an outer lid sized and shaped to contact and engage in a sealing relationship with a distal end of the container,the outer lid being movable between an open position, in which the outer lid is disengaged from a sealing relationship with the container, and a closed position, in which the outer lid is engaged in the sealing relationship with the distal end of said container such that, when the closure lid and the outer lid are in respective closed positions, the closure lid is disposed between said outer lid and said interior of the container; anda hold-down member operative to retain the outer lid in the sealing engagement with the container,the hold-down member having a ring, an arcuate segment and a connector extending between the ring and the arcuate segment,the ring having an annular ledge extending radially inwardly therefrom,the arcuate segment having an arcuate ledge extending inwardly therefrom,the connector being operative to selectively urge the ring and arcuate segment toward each other or away from each other;wherein, when the outer lid is in the closed position and the hold-down member is retaining the outer lid in the sealing engagement with the container, the annular ledge of the ring contacts the outer lid, and the arcuate ledge of the arcuate segment contacts the second annular recess of the outer wall of the container. 33. The storage system of claim 31, further comprising:a backing member sized and shaped to be inserted between the closure lid and the compression link such that insertion therebetween urges the compression link radially outwardly from the closure lid and positions the container engagement surface of the compression link for engagement with the inner surface such that at least a portion of the compression ink is located within the first annular recess of the inner surface of the container. 34. The storage system of claim 31, further comprising:a ring-shaped bearing member configured to be positioned between the closure lid engagement surface and the container engagement surface of the compression link,the ring-shaped bearing member being formed of a harder material than the closure lid,the ring-shaped bearing member having a recess such that, when the ring-shaped bearing member is positioned between the closure lid engagement surface and the container engagement surface of the compression link, the closure lid engagement surface contacts the ring-shaped bearing member within the recess. 35. The storage system of claim 31, further comprising:an exothermic material inserted within the container.