Remote handling in high-power proton facilities

Design for remote handling of highly activated accelerator components is becoming more prevalent as proton facilities are designed and constructed to provide ever-increasing beam powers. During operation of these facilities it is expected that many components will become activated, consequently mechanical engineering design work must address this issue if components are to be maintained by traditional hands-on methods. These design issues are not new and operating proton facilities around the world have gone through the same process to varying degrees. In this paper we discuss the design and design philosophy of remote handling of active accelerator components, using as examples designs which have been proven at operating facilities, as well as new approaches which are being incorporated into accelerator facilities under construction, such as the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) and J-PARC.