# US 7,321,650 B2 · Apparatus for transferring an article between fluid-filled vessels > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,321,650 B2 - Document ID: US7321650B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/945,279 - Filed: 2004-09-20 - Published: 2005-05-12 - Granted: 2008-01-22 - Earliest claimed: 1998-03-19 - Assignees: Areva Np - Inventors: Manfred Meintker - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7321650B2 ## CPC - G21C 19/04: Means for controlling flow of coolant over objects being handled; Means for controlling flow of coolant through channel being serviced {, e.g. for preventing "blow-out"} - G21C 19/18: Apparatus for bringing fuel elements to the reactor charge area, e.g. from a storage place - G21C 19/20: Arrangements for introducing objects into the pressure vessel; Arrangements for handling objects within the pressure vessel; Arrangements for removing objects from the pressure vessel - Y02E 30/30: Nuclear fission reactors - G21C: NUCLEAR REACTORS (fusion reactors, hybrid fission-fusion reactors G21B; nuclear explosives G21J) - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract The invention relates to a method for transferring an article from a fluid-filled first vessel into a fluid-filled second vessel or in the opposite direction. The vessel is connected by a connecting element, in which there is a transport device for moving the article. A fluid flow flowing out of the first vessel is maintained in one part of the connecting element, while the article is transported through the connecting element. An apparatus for transferring an article, in particular a nuclear fuel element, between the vessels is also described, in which an extraction device for the discharge of fluid is located on the connecting element. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for transferring an article comprising: a fluid-filled first vessel and a fluid-filled second vessel, each having an interior; a connecting element connecting the interiors of said vessels and having first and second issues and an extraction point between said first and second issues, the fluid flowing into said connecting element from said first vessel at said first issue toward said extraction point and the fluid flowing simultaneously into said connecting element from said second vessel at said second issue toward said extraction point under certain system conditions; a transport device for moving the article through said connecting element; and an extraction device collecting discharged fluid discharged from said connecting element, said extraction device being directly connected to said connecting element at said extraction point located between said first and second issues. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said extraction device includes a measuring and regulating device for measuring and setting an extraction flow intensity. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising: a collecting vessel for receiving the discharged fluid. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the extraction device includes an apex point and an extraction line leading upward as far as said apex point. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said apex point is below a fluid level in one of said vessels. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said connecting element has a first issue or mouth in said first vessel; and a first pressure measuring device measures a first pressure in said first vessel level with said first issue or mouth. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: said connecting element has a second issue or mouth in said second vessel; and a second pressure measuring device measures a second pressure in said second vessel level with said second issue or mouth of said connecting element. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: an evaluation unit connected to said first pressure measuring device and said second pressure measuring device determining the pressure difference between the first pressure and the second pressure. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first vessel is a fuel element storage pond a nuclear power station and said second vessel is a reactor pit of said nuclear power station. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) In combination with a preparation plant, the apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a line conducting the discharged fluid to the preparation plant, in which water contained in the discharged fluid is separated from a boron-containing substance contained in the discharged fluid. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said first vessel has a first inflow into said first vessel, a first metering valve is mounted at said first inflow, and a predeterminable first fluid flow is set through said first metering valve. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein: said second vessel has a second inflow into said second vessel, a second metering valve is mounted at said second Inflow, and a predeterminable second fluid flow is set through said second metering valve.