US Patent 10304576 Canister transfer system with independent traveling shielded bell

A transfer system for spent fuel canisters includes a carrier, a shielded bell trolley movable along the carrier and carrying a shielded bell, and a canister trolley movable along the carrier and carrying a lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the spent fuel canister into and out of the shielded bell. The canister trolley can move along the carrier independent of the shielded bell trolley and the shielded bell trolley can move along the carrier independent of the canister trolley. The shielded bell trolley and the canister trolley can be selectively interlocked for selected transfer operations.