Improvements in or relating to fluid tight intercommunication and disconnecting devices

摘要

946,313. Handling radio-active material. COMMISARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE. Oct. 26, 1960 [Nov. 6, 1959], No. 36739/60. Heading B4Q. [Also in Divisions B8 and F2] An opening and closing device disposed between a lower fluidtight chamber 2 which may house a conveyer and superposed fluidtight chamber 1 which permits the transfer of contaminated or dangerous material, e.g. radio-active material, toxic pulverulent substances or pyrophoric powders, between the chambers and also permits the separation of the chambers without contact of the material with the outside atmosphere comprises an upper cover 3 having an inset depending flange 3b which dips into a trough formed by a flange 5 welded around the opening in the floor of the upper chamber, the upper cover contacting the flange 5 at 11 and 12. Fitting closely within the upper cover is a lower cover 4 having a peripheral flange 4b dipping, together with the trough formed by the flange 5, into a second trough 6 welded around the rim of the opening in the lower chamber, the flange 4b having an internal angle iron ring 13 which seats on the rim. The trough 10 is filled to the level shown with a sealing liquid, for example a fused metal with a low melting point such as indium, lead or tin alloy, with liquified pitch or thermoplastic resin or with mercury or a dense solution of zinc bromide or barium iodide, so that the flanges are sealed. When fused materials are used for the seal they are in the solid state when the device is not in use. The chambers and the upper cover are made of non-magnetic material whilst the lower cover is made of magnetic material or carries a magnet on its underside. To transfer contaminated material from the upper to the lower chamber an electromagnet or permanent magnet is lowered on to the upper cover. The solid material of the seal, if used, is fused whereupon the magnet may be lifted raising both covers together to place the chambers in communication. The chambers may also be separated whilst remaining sealed by their respective covers.