# US 2018/0021897 A1 · Systems and methods for canister inspection, preparation, and maintenance > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0021897 A1 - Document ID: US20180021897A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/670,667 - Filed: 2017-08-07 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2012-06-22 - Assignees: TN Americas LLC - Applicants: Tn Americas LLC - Inventors: Robert L. Grubb; Aleksandr Kofman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180021897A1 ## CPC - B23P 6/00: Restoring or reconditioning objects (straightening or restoring form of sheet metal, metal rods, metal tubes, metal profiles, or specific articles made therefrom B21D1/00, B21D3/00; repairing defective or damaged objects by casting techniques B22D19/10) - G21F 5/008: Containers for fuel elements - G21F 5/065: {Containers provided with a rotatable drum} - G21F 5/14: Devices for handling containers or shipping-casks, e.g. transporting devices {loading and unloading, filling of containers (cranes, load-engaging elements or devices for cranes, capstans, winches or tackles B66C)} - Y10T 29/49: Method of mechanical manufacture - Y10T 29/49718: Repairing - Y10T 29/49764: with testing or indicating - Y10T 29/51: Plural diverse manufacturing apparatus including means for metal shaping or assembling - B23P: METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS (arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q) - G21F: PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR (radiation protection by pharmaceutical means A61K8/00, A61Q17/04; in cosmonautic vehicles B64G1/54; combined with a reactor G21C11/00; combined with X-ray tubes H01J35/16; combined with X-ray apparatus H05G1/02) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A travel system (20) for a canister storage, transfer, or transport system generally includes a support structure (22), at least one traveling device (24) for preparing, inspecting, and/or repairing the canister, and a base ring (26) for supporting the traveling device and providing for rotational movement of the traveling device relative to the support structure. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A travel system for a canister storage, transfer, or transport system, the travel system comprising: (a) a support structure; (b) at least one traveling device for preparing, inspecting, and/or repairing the canister; and (c) a base ring for supporting the traveling device and providing for rotational movement of the traveling device relative to the support structure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The travel system of claim 1, wherein the support structure is attachable to a horizontal canister storage module or a vertical canister storage silo. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The travel system of claim 1, wherein the at least one traveling device is selected from the group consisting of a sensing device, a preparation device, and a repair device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The travel system of claim 3, wherein the sensing device is a non-destructive sensing device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The travel system of claim 3, wherein the sensing device is selected from the group consisting of dye penetrant sensors, ultrasonic examination sensors, eddy current examination sensors, laser ultrasonic examination sensors, and visual inspection sensors. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The travel system of claim 3, wherein the repair device is selected from the group consisting of grinders, welding heads, abrasive nozzles, peening nozzles, surface coating spray nozzles, and surface cleaning spray nozzles. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The travel system of claim 1, wherein the base ring includes one or more mounting positions for receiving the at least one traveling device. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The travel system of claim 1, wherein the travel system includes a plurality of traveling devices. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The travel system of claim 1, wherein traveling devices may be positioned about 180 degrees from each other on the base ring. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The travel system of claim 1, wherein the traveling device is capable of movement in multiple degrees of movement freedom relative to the support structure. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The travel system of claim 1, wherein the traveling device is configurable to travel along a weld on a canister. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The travel system of claim 11, wherein the weld on the canister may be selected from the group consisting of a front cicumferential weld, a back cicumferential weld, and a longitudinal weld. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The travel system of claim 1, wherein the traveling device is configurable to remain fixed, such that the canister moves relative to the traveling device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The travel system of claim 1, further comprising an actuation system. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The travel system of claim 14, wherein the actuation system includes a timing belt driven by a stepper motor. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The travel system of claim 1, further comprising a bearing system. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The travel system of claim 16, wherein the bearing system includes a guide ring, an external bearing ring assembly, and an internal bearing ring assembly. ### Claim 18 A travel system for a canister storage, transfer, or transport system, the travel system comprising: (a) a support structure couplable to the canister storage, transfer, or transport system; (b) at least one traveling device selected from the group consisting of a sensing device, a preparation device, and a repair device; and (c) a base ring for supporting the at least one traveling device and providing for rotational movement of the traveling device relative to the support structure.