Apparatuses and methods for securely storing radioactive source materials that enable various inventory tasks, prevent storage structures from being negligently left open or unlocked, prevent circumvention of security measures, and ensure stabilization of storage structures in a moving mobile structure, and provide an alerting system for warning staff of an unsecure or unlocked condition of such storage structures

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for securely storing radioactive source materials that enables inventory activities with security functions. In particular, apparatuses and methods for securely storing radioactive source materials are provided with visual and automated inventory, security, alerting, and stabilization design elements that enable various inventory tasks, prevent storage structures from being negligently left open or unlocked, ensure stabilization of storage structures in a moving mobile structure, and provide an alerting system for warning staff of an unsecure or unlocked condition of such storage structures.

Claims

1. An apparatus for securely storing one or more radioactive sources in source containers within a mobile structure comprising: an enclosure having a plurality of sides formed with horizontal and vertical sides and a back, the plurality of sides forming an open side; removable or moveable shelves coupled or fixed within the enclosure; a hinge coupled to an edge section of one of said horizontal sides; a door section coupled to said hinge, said door section comprising a frame and a transparent section coupled to the frame which is sized to view each of the removable or moveable shelves; a locking mechanism coupled to the door section and adapted to selectively engage with the enclosure, wherein the locking mechanism is formed to automatically lock and engage with the enclosure when the door section is rotated to abut door jamb section of the enclosure, wherein the locking mechanism is formed with a key reader and a key etched with a pattern encoded or etched by a laser or another etching machine that is read by the key reader; a door handle coupled to the door section; a closing assist magnet coupled to a section of the enclosure disposed so it magnetically engages the door section to pull the door section against the enclosure when the door section is within a magnetic field of the closing assist magnet; an alarm mechanism comprising a first and second section, wherein the first section comprises a magnet that is coupled to the door section, wherein the second section is coupled to the enclosure, wherein the alarm mechanism has an activation section that activates an audible alarm when the first section is not adjacent to the second section; a tether section comprising a first and second attachment section and a tether coupler attached to the first and section attachment sections, wherein the first attachment section is coupled to an external section of the enclosure and the second attachments section is adapted to be coupled to an adjacent structure within the mobile structure; and a removable and selectively lockable protective bracket that is coupled with the alarm mechanism to lock the alarm mechanism in place and to obstruct or cover an on/off switch of the alarm mechanism.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the mobile structure is a submersible vessel.

3. An apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising an object tracking system disposed within or in proximity with the enclosure comprising a bar code reader or radio frequency identification (RFID) tag reader adapted to read the bar code or RFID tag that is placed on a radiological source object that is removed or inserted into the enclosure.

4. An apparatus as in claim 3, further comprising a tracking computer system that is communicatively coupled with the object tracking system.

5. An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising said radioactive source containers disposed within the enclosure and placed on said shelves.

6. An apparatus as in claim 5, further comprising locking or retention structures that are coupled with one or more said shelves that includes latching or retention structures that selectively receive and fix in place said radioactive source containers with respect to the shelves.

7. An apparatus as in claim 6, wherein each of the locking or retention structures further comprise a base section that has a different shape, wherein each of the radioactive source containers have a different base section that is each shaped to fit into a corresponding one of the base sections that each have a different shape.

8. An apparatus as in claim 6, wherein each of the radioactive source containers have a first keyway section and each of the locking or retention structures further comprise a second keyway section, wherein the first and second keyway sections are adapted to selectively engage with each other, each of the first and second keyway sections have a corresponding female and male engaging section that fit into each other.

9. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said transparent section comprises transparent Plexiglas, polycarbonate material, or leaded glass material.

10. An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprises transparent plastic film adhered to the transparent section.

11. An apparatus for securely storing one or more radioactive sources in source containers within a mobile structure comprising: an enclosure having a plurality of sides formed with horizontal and vertical sides and a back, the plurality of sides forming an open side; removable or moveable shelves coupled or fixed within the enclosure; a hinge coupled to an edge section of one of said horizontal sides; a door section coupled to said hinge, said door section comprising a frame and a transparent section coupled to the frame which is sized to view each of the removable or moveable shelves; a locking mechanism coupled to the door section and adapted to selectively engage with the enclosure, wherein the locking mechanism is formed to automatically lock and engage with the enclosure when the door section is rotated to abut door jamb section of the enclosure, wherein the locking mechanism is formed with a key reader and a key etched with a pattern encoded or etched by a laser or another etching machine; a door handle coupled to the door section; a first magnet coupled to a section of the enclosure disposed to magnetically engage a side of the door section to pull the door section against the enclosure when the door section is within a magnetic field of magnet; an alarm mechanism comprising a first and second section, wherein the first section comprises a second magnet that is coupled to the door section, wherein the second section is coupled to the enclosure, wherein the alarm mechanism has an activation section that activates an audible alarm when the first section is not adjacent to the second section; a tether section comprising a first and second attachment section and a tether coupler attached to the first and section attachment sections, wherein the first attachment section is coupled to an external section of the enclosure and the second attachments section is adapted to be coupled to an adjacent structure within the mobile structure; an object tracking system disposed within or in proximity with the enclosure comprising a bar code reader or radio frequency identification (RFID) tag reader adapted to read the bar code or RFID tag that is placed on a radiological source object that is removed or inserted into the enclosure; a tracking computer system that is communicatively coupled with the object tracking system; a plurality of said radioactive source containers disposed within the enclosure and placed on said shelves; and a plurality of locking or retention structures coupled with said removable or moveable shelves adapted to selectively receive and fix in place said radioactive source containers; a removable and selectively lockable protective bracket that is coupled with the alarm mechanism to lock the alarm mechanism in place and to obstruct or cover an on/off switch of the alarm mechanism; wherein each of the locking or retention structures further comprise a base section that has a different shape, wherein each of the radioactive source containers have a different base section that is each shaped to fit into a corresponding one of the base sections that each have a different shape; wherein the mobile structure is a ship or submersible vessel.

12. A method of using a storage apparatus for securely storing radioactive source comprising: providing a mobile structure that is either a shop or submersible vessel; providing an apparatus for storage of radioactive sources, said apparatus comprising: an enclosure having a plurality of sides formed with horizontal and vertical sides and a back, the plurality of sides forming an open side; a plurality of removable or moveable shelves coupled or fixed within the enclosure; a hinge coupled to an edge section of one of said horizontal sides; a door section coupled to said hinge, said door section comprising a frame and a transparent section coupled to the frame which is sized to view each of the removable or moveable shelves; a door handle coupled to the door section; a first magnet coupled to a section of the enclosure disposed so it magnetically engages the door section to pull the door section against the enclosure when the door section is within a magnetic field of the first magnet; a locking mechanism coupled to the door section and adapted to selectively engage with the enclosure, wherein the locking mechanism is formed to automatically lock and engage with the enclosure when the door section is rotated to abut a door jamb section of the enclosure, wherein the locking mechanism is formed with a key reader and a key etched with a pattern encoded or etched by a laser or another etching machine that is read by the key reader; an alarm mechanism comprising a first and second section, wherein the first section comprises a magnet that is coupled to the door section, wherein the second section is coupled to the enclosure, wherein the alarm has an activation section that activates an audible alarm when the first section is not adjacent to the second section; and a tether section comprising a first attachment section and a tether coupler attached to the first attachment sections; providing a submersible vessel with an interior compartment formed with a plurality of wall sections, wherein a second attachment section is coupled with one of the wall sections, wherein the first attachment section is coupled to the second attachment section by the tether coupler; operating the submersible vessel to transit a first section of water and thereby altering an orientation of the interior compartment with respect to a gravitational vector; inserting said key and disengaging the locking mechanism; pulling the door handle while maintaining a first force on the key to keep the key engaged/rotated to open the door section, wherein once the said door section is opened, the second magnet moves out of detection range of the alarm mechanism and thereby causing the alarm mechanism to generate a continuous audible alarm sound that will sound and continue until the door is securely closed and locked; placing the radioactive source inside the enclosure on one of the shelves and into a source receiving section that fixes the radioactive source into a fixed position; closing the door section and releasing pressure on the key so the rotates into a spring loaded locked position then removing the key from the locking mechanism; conducting an inventory of the one or more radiological sources by viewing the radiological sources through the transparent section and determining if the radiological sources are present within the enclosure while the door section is in a closed position; when a user is ready to remove the radioactive source, obtaining the key from a locked storage container; inserting the key into the locking mechanism and disengaging the locking mechanism from engagement with the enclosure; pulling the door handle while maintaining light pressure to keep key engaged/rotated to rotate and open the door, wherein once door is opened, the magnet will disengage and the audible alarm will sound and continue until the door section is closed and locked by the locking mechanism; removing the radioactive source from one of the shelves inside the enclosure; and closing the door section, thereby deactivating the alarm; and releasing pressure on the key and removing the key from the locking section.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The detailed description of the drawings particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view on an embodiment of an exemplary radiological source cabinet in a closed position tethered to a wall structure;

(3) FIG. 2 shows another view of the FIG. 1 embodiment with its door in an open position;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a simplified block diagram of an embodiment of the invention;

(5) FIG. 4A shows an exemplary method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

(6) FIG. 4B shows another exemplary method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

(7) FIG. 4C shows another exemplary method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and

(8) FIG. 5 shows an exemplary etched key used with at least one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(9) The embodiments of the invention described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to precise forms disclosed. Rather, the embodiments selected for description have been chosen to enable one skilled in the art to practice the invention.

(10) Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary secure radioactive source locker assembly 1 in accordance one embodiment of the invention is shown. The exemplary assembly 1 is formed with enclosing top, bottom, back and side walls and an open front side defined by edges of the left side, right side, and top/bottom walls opposing on a front side opposing the back side. A first attachment/tether structure 3 is coupled to an adjacent structure, in this exemplary case a wall of a submarine (not shown). A second attachment/tether structure 7 is coupled to an external section of the locker assembly 1. An anti-tip chain/tether 5 is coupled on one side to the first attachment/tether structure 3 and on an opposing side to the second attachment/tether structure 7. Alternative mounting systems can be provided such as via bolting of the locker assembly 1 to a floor or wall. A door structure 17 is coupled to a side of the locker assembly 1 using a hinge 19, e.g., a piano hinge, which is operable to enable the door structure 17 to pivot on the hinge 19 and allow access to interior areas of the locker assembly 1. The door structure 17 covers or seals the opening of the locker assembly 1. A door handle 9 is coupled to the door structure 17. The door structure 17 is formed with a transparent Plexiglas, e.g., polycarbonate material, Lexan®, etc transparent material viewing window 11 which is secured within a door frame which the hinge 19 is attached to. The exemplary locker assembly 1 is further provided with moveable or repositionable interior shelves 13. Embodiments can include securing structures (not shown) which fix or lock into position radiological storage containers on the shelves so they do not move when in a mobile structure, e.g., ship is in motion due to maneuvering or sea wave action. A locking structure and key system 15, e.g., MUL-T-Lock® lock and key system, such as for example shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,839,308, 5,784,910, or 5,520,035, is coupled to the door structure 17 which selectively engages and locks with a side section, e.g., right side, of the locker assembly 1. The exemplary locking structure and key system 15 is designed to automatically lock (e.g., spring loaded to a locked position even when a key is inserted) particularly when the door is closed/positioned adjacent to a corresponding side (e.g., right side in this figure when facing the door structure 17) of the locker assembly 1. A magnetic door catch or retaining structure 70 is provided to ensure the door structure 17 is fully seated in a closed position and thereby aid in avoiding a case where the door appears to be locked and secured but is in fact in close proximity to the locker assembly 1 sides but without the locking structure 15 actually engaged and locking onto the locker assembly 1 enclosure frame or side. The exemplary handle 9 can be mounted to the door below the lock with a magnet installed inside the locker to ensure that the door does not move when closed.

(11) Embodiments of this disclosure can include a radiation detection or hazardous material detection system (not shown). This detections system includes detection systems that identify leaks or exposure of hazardous material or radioactive material storage structures within the locker assembly 1. For example, exemplary radiation detection systems can include Gas-filled detectors including Geiger-Muller counters, ionization chambers, radiation survey meters, or proportional counters. The radiation detection system includes a warning system that can emit an audible alarm or transmit a warning signal to an external control station (not shown) which then shows or displays a warning to an operator. An exemplary system can further include automated reader instruments, electronic radiation measuring instruments, alarm badges, or thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD). Another exemplary embodiment can further include optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) based systems that provide higher accuracy for measurement of low levels of radioactivity. Exemplary embodiments can further include an additive or coating to the door section's transparent section that provide radiation protection. Alternatively, the transparent section can be formed of leaded glass that has a transparent reinforcing coating, such as a plastic coating, that provides protection against breakage of the leaded glass that leaves an opening in the transparent section.

(12) In various embodiments, outer dimensions and shelf heights are at the discretion of a user or requester to accommodate different radiological sources being stored in the exemplary locker assembly 1. In at least one embodiment, a lip or edge 21A of the door structure 17 can be designed to have a minimum of 1″ in order to accommodate the locking structure 15 and alarm mechanism 26. The exemplary locker assembly 1 is formed with a door frame section which is formed with an inset section that receives and encloses the door structure 17 so that an outer face of the door section 17 is flush with the door frame section. The exemplary door frame section is also formed with a step or shoulder that the door structure 17 abuts when the door structure 17 is in a closed position within the inset section. The exemplary selected locking structure 15 (e.g., MUL-T-LOCK® drawer latch lock with different keying) that in at least one embodiment removes a need for a lock hasp and staple. The exemplary locking structure 15 function in this embodiment includes a self-locking structure. The key in this embodiment is a laser encoded key with “key card” that has anti-copy design so that unauthorized copies cannot be created. (e.g. see FIG. 5) In this example, a “key card” with key code is issued for each laser encoded key. That key code is associated with a stored laser encoding pattern that must be presented to a secure key production facility to produce and receive another key. In at least some embodiments, the self-locking lock ensures that once the door is closed the locker will be locked. The exemplary locking structure 15 will not allow removal of the key without the locking device being engaged, meaning that the key cannot be removed without the lock being in the locked position.

(13) Exemplary alarm 69A can have alkaline batteries that are replaced periodically, e.g., every 6 months, during the biannual inventory of radiological sources to ensure that the battery life is not a limiting factor. Exemplary alarm system 69A can remain on while the locker is installed and in use. A lockable protective bracket 69C can be installed with respect to alarm 69A to ensure that the alarm will remain in place and the on/off switch cannot be accessed. An exemplary alarm can be used to provide an immediate indication that the door structure 17 remains open, and that the sources are not properly stored. An alarm mechanism 69A is provided, in this case a proximity alarm that detects proximity to a magnetic structure 69B (not visible) coupled with a side section (in this case right side facing the door structure 17). A low battery alarm system can also be included to warn users that the alarm battery is in a low energy state and therefore should be replaced. Such warnings can be a light or audible alarm or notification system.

(14) FIG. 3 shows a high level or simplified hierarchical block diagram of various components of an embodiment of the invention. An apparatus for securely storing radioactive source materials assembly 1 is provided (e.g., such as in FIGS. 1-2). A locker body is provided with top, bottom, vertical sides coupled to the top and bottom forming an enclosure with an open side (e.g., front side). The locker body can be constructed using sheet metal and solid welds to ensure a solid body enclosure. A door structure 17 is provided coupled to a side of the door body. Locking mechanism 15: Ensures controlled access to the locker 1. This exemplary locking mechanism does not allow the key to be removed while in the open position, automatically locks, and has methods and designs to ensure keys cannot be copied except by an authorized entity. The exemplary enclosure is coupled with door structure 17 with hinge 19. The enclosure is constructed using sheet metal with a full piano hinge 19 welded on both ends to ensure the door does not lift. Transparent components 11: Constructed of 1″ deep aluminum walls that holds a Plexiglas viewing window. Plexiglas allows for immediate viewing of contents, as well as providing a non-combustible barrier. Magnet 70: installed on door structure 17 and a frame section or shelves 13 located within the body of the locker assembly. Magnet 70 ensures that the door will close, and not flex while closed. Alarm 69: A proximity alarm 69 ensures close personnel are aware that the locker assembly 1 is open. The alarm 69 can include a self-contained power source. This exemplary alarm 69 is not accessible by a person opening the locker assembly 1 when in the installed position using, e.g., a lockable/removable cover bracket that blocks access to a person accessing the assembly 1 without a cover bracket key.

(15) An optional section can include a radiological source tracking system (RSTS) 81 (not shown). The RSTS 81 system can include one or more of an RFID or optical bar code scanner section 83. The RFID or optical bar code scanner section 83 can detect identifier information associated with materials placed into or removed from the enclosure or locker assembly 1. The RSTS 81 can also include a controller with machine instructions for controlling the RSTS 81 and various elements of the system. The RSTS 81 can further include a triggered alarm 87 which can include a pressure pad or motion detection system placed in front of the cabinet or locker assembly 1 which activates an alarm with a person is in proximity to the assembly 1. The exemplary RSTS 81 can further include a movement and object/feature detection section 89 that has a camera system. The RSTS 81 can include a control system which is either located in the locker assembly 1 or is disposed remotely in communication with the camera system object/feature detection system with, e.g., a neural network feature or object classifier with an associated library of features associated with different objects (e.g., source containers, bar codes or other identifiers associated with particular source containers, access authorization badges or tokens, and facial features of authorized persons who are authorized to unlock the locker assembly 1 and remove source containers) that is adapted to detect movement and object/feature recognition of sources moved into and out of the cabinet or locker assembly 1. The movement and object/feature detection section 89 can further include facial recognition systems which identify persons who are in proximity with or are removing radioactive sources from the automatic locking radioactive source locker assembly 1 then log detected identity information with removal or access actions associated with the radioactive sources. RSTS 81 can further include inventory/removal/access action tracking systems which monitor time elapsed since an object such as a radiation source has been removed or left out of the locker assembly 1. The RSTS 81 can further set off an alarm which causes a search for the removed radiation source that has not been returned to the locker assembly 1 in a predetermined time period. A card reader can also be provided or used to determine if an authorized person or unauthorized person is attempting to open the locker assembly 1. The card reader can be coupled with alarm 69A so that the alarm 69A or the RSTS 81 activates an unauthorized access alarm if the assembly 1 is opened with even with the key.

(16) FIG. 4A shows an exemplary method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Step 101: Install automatic locking radioactive source or material storage locker or container into an interior section of a ship or submersible vessel to include tethering the automatic locking radioactive source or material storage locker to a tether mounting section of the ship or vessel such as shown in, e.g., FIGS. 1-3, with audible alarm that activates when the door is opened. At Step 102: Get ship or submersible vessel under weigh whereby the ship or submersible vessel will begin to move in response to ship control inputs or wave motion. At Step 103: Insert a key into the locking mechanism and turn ½ turn to the left and thereby disengage the locking mechanism from engaging with the locker enclosure; Step 105: Pull the door handle (while maintaining light pressure to keep key engaged/rotated) to open door. Once door is opened, the alarm's magnet will move out of detection proximity with the alarm's magnetic flux field detector and an audible alarm will sound (this audible alarm will continue until the locker's door is securely closed and locked); Step 107: Place radioactive sources inside the container on designated shelves (RFID tags may be used for tracking to ensure: proper location, radiological source returned in a timely manner, correct radiological source removed from container); Step 109: Close door, release pressure on key and remove key from lock (this will ensure the door is closed/locked properly).

(17) FIG. 4 B shows a method that is executed once a user is ready to check out a source for daily source check that includes the following steps: Step 121: Sign key out of designated key locker; Step 123: Insert key into locking mechanism and turn ½ turn to the left, this will disengage the lock; Step 125: Pull the door handle (while maintaining light pressure to keep key engaged/rotated) to open door. Once door is opened, the magnet will disengage and an audible alarm will sound (this audible alarm will continue until the door is securely closed and locked); Step 127: Remove and sign out the radioactive source(s) from their designated shelves inside the container. (RFID tags may be used for tracking to ensure: proper location, source returned in a timely manner, correct source removed from container); Step 129: Close door, release pressure on key and remove key from lock (this will ensure the door is closed/locked properly); Step 131: Use the source for a daily check and return radioactive source or sources back to the automatic locking radioactive material storage container with audible alarm by repeating the method at FIG. 4A.

(18) FIG. 4C shows a method of inspecting for presence or inventorying of the radioactive sources as described herein. At Step 151: Obtain a list of radioactive source containers which are stored in the automatic locking radioactive source or material storage locker such as shown herein (e.g., FIGS. 1-3). At Step 153: conduct a visual inspection of the radioactive source containers in the automatic locking radioactive source or material storage locker through the transparent section of the locker's door by comparing the list of radioactive source containers with the radioactive source containers visible through the transparent section. Step 155: Identify missing radioactive source containers, if any, and create an inspection record that includes records of radioactive source containers that are present or missing.

(19) Alternative embodiments can include processing steps that include operating RSTS 81 as discussed above. For example, processing steps can include execution of steps such as disclosed with respect to FIGS. 4A-4C where RSTS 81 systems can detect or identify specific radiological sources which are placed into the automatic locking radioactive source or material storage locker assembly 1 and detect when the assembly 1 door has been closed. The RSTS 81 can also track identity as discussed above of persons who perform inventory actions, or access/remove radioactive sources with respect to the locker assembly 1. An additional processing step can include RSTS 81 sending reports of access, inventory, removal, return, unauthorized access, and failure to return radioactive sources to the locker assembly 1 within predetermined time periods warnings to another computer system via a network or wireless connection (not shown) which tracks, reports, and displays status or alarms associated with

(20) FIG. 5 shows an exemplary etched key 15A used with at least one embodiment of the invention. An etched section is shown 15B which is associated with a stored etching pattern maintained by a key manufacturing facility via a control number not shown on the key 15A.

(21) An alternative embodiment can include an optional radio frequency identification (RFID) or optical bar code scanner, controller with machine instructions including system for detecting movement of radiological sources into or out of the cabinet and triggering alarms when various conditions are determined (e.g., maximum time period elapsed between removal and return of radiological sources based on RFID or bar code).

(22) Various embodiments can also include shelves that include specific receiving structures that are unique to each of the source containers or are designed for each object/radioactive source. For example, a base of each radiological source container can have a different shape so that the base shape corresponds to a specific radiological source container receiving structure (e.g., square bottom, circular, rectangular, a shape with keyway structures (e.g., one keyway, two keyways, three keyways) that do not permit the wrong structure to be inserted into the source container receiving structure.

(23) Various embodiments enable a quick check to ensure all contents are present, the correct source container is in a specific structure or location and thereby prevents a need to go searching around the locker to try to find it. The door's transparent section enables needed visibility that allows for a full check of all information displayed on the objects/radioactive sources. Verification of in-depth inventory and tracking information without accessing the sources is achieved with various embodiments of the invention.

(24) Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the spirit and scope of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.