Method of and apparatus for checking the dimensions of the extensions of the control rods of a nuclear reactor

Claim 1

A method of checking the straightness of elongated control rod extensions of a nuclear reactor under deep water in a fuel storage pool of the reactor comprising the steps of: a. removably suspending a vertical structure from the lip of the storage pool, the structure including: an upper section removably attached to the lip, an intermediate section, a lower section including vertical guide members, and a support at its lower end having a profile analogous to that of each rod extension and for receiving the lower end of a rod extension when placed in the structure, b. substantially vertically aligning the rod extension with the support; c. centering the upper end of the rod extension in the structure; d. moving a measuring carriage carrying measuring pickups along said guide members between a low position in which said pick-ups are below the lower end of rests on said support, and a high position corresponding to the upper extension end; e. moving the carriage between the low and high positions, f. stopping the carriage; g. reading on a system outside the storage pool data received from the pickups.

Claim 2

A method of checking the straightness of elongated control rod extensions of a nuclear reactor under deep water in a fuel storage pool of the reactor comprising the steps of: a. removably suspending a vertical structure from the lip of the storage pool, the structure including: an upper section removably attached to the lip, an intermediate section, a lower section including vertical guide members, and a support at its lower end having a profile analogous to that of each rod extension and for receiving the lower end of a rod extension when placed in the structure, b. substantially vertically aligning the rod extension with the support; c. centering the upper end of the rod extension in the structure; d. moving a measuring carriage carrying measuring pickups along said guide members between a low position in which said pick-ups are below the lower end of rests on said support, and a high position corresponding to the upper extension end; e. moving the carriage between the low and high positions, f. stopping the carriage; g. reading on a system outside the storage pool data received from the pickups.

Claim 3

An apparatus for checking the straightness of elongated control rod extensions of a nuclear reactor under deep water in a fuel storage pool of the reactor, comprising: a vertical structure removably suspended from the lip of the pool and including: an upper section removably attached to the lip and forming an auxiliary floor, an intermediate section, the height of which is at least equal to the depth of the water, and a lower section including vertical guide members, a support at its lower end having a profile analogous to that of each rod extension and for receiving the lower end of a rod extension when placed in said structure, the rod extension being substantially vertically aligned with said support, means for centering the upper end of the rod extension in said structure; a measuring carriage carrying measuring pick-ups and movable along said guide members between a low position in which said pick-ups are below the lower end of the rod extension as it rests on said support, and a high position corresponding to the upper extension end; means for moving said carriage between the low and high positions and for stopping said carriage; and a readout system outside the pool and connected to said pick-ups to receive data therefrom.

Claim 4

An apparatus for checking the straightness of elongated control rod extensions of a nuclear reactor under deep water in a fuel storage pool of the reactor, comprising: a vertical structure removably suspended from the lip of the pool and including: an upper section removably attached to the lip and forming an auxiliary floor, an intermediate section, the height of which is at least equal to the depth of the water, and a lower section including vertical guide members, a support at its lower end having a profile analogous to that of each rod extension and for receiving the lower end of a rod extension when placed in said structure, the rod extension being substantially vertically aligned with said support, means for centering the upper end of the rod extension in said structure; a measuring carriage carrying measuring pick-ups and movable along said guide members between a low position in which said pick-ups are below the lower end of the rod extension as it rests on said support, and a high position corresponding to the upper extension end; means for moving said carriage between the low and high positions and for stopping said carriage; and a readout system outside the pool and connected to said pick-ups to receive data therefrom.