US 12,437,895 B2
Irradiation targets for the production of radioisotopes and debundling tool for disassembly thereof
Evan Thomas Logue, Lynchburg, VA (US)
Assigned to BWXT Isotope Technology Group, Inc., Lynchburg, VA (US)
Filed by BWXT Isotope Technology Group, Inc., Lynchburg, VA (US)
Filed on Jun. 17, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/843,626.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/344,391, filed on May 20, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/212,177, filed on Jun. 18, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0406484 A1, Dec. 22, 2022
Int. Cl. G21K 5/08 (2006.01); G21G 1/02 (2006.01); G21G 1/00 (2006.01)
CPC G21K 5/08 (2013.01) [G21G 1/02 (2013.01); G21G 2001/0036 (2013.01); G21G 2001/0042 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An irradiation target system for the production of radioisotopes, comprising:
an irradiation target, comprising:
a plurality of annular plates defining a central opening; and
a first elongated central member passing through the central opening of the plurality of annular plates so that the plurality of annular plates is retained thereon, the first elongated central member including a first elongated body extending along a longitudinal center axis, a first flange extending transversely to the first elongated body at a first end of the first elongated body, and a first tab extending from a second end of the first elongated body, wherein the first flange of the first elongated central member extends axially outwardly beyond a first end of the plurality of annular plates and the first tab extends axially outwardly beyond a second end of the plurality of annular plates;
a target debundling tool, comprising:
a base plate;
a gripper assembly affixed to the base plate;
a twister assembly rotatably secured to the base plate, the twister assembly comprising a housing defining a target bore that is configured to receive the irradiation target therein, and a slide portion that is slidably and non-rotatably mounted to the housing at a bottom end of the target bore, the slide defining a first aperture that has a maximum diameter that is less than an outer diameter of the plurality of annular plates of the irradiation target,
wherein the twister assembly is configured to engage and twist the first elongated central member of the irradiation target such that the irradiation target is debundled.