SYSTEM FOR SEALING AN INSTRUMENTATION COLUMN THAT PASSES THROUGH THE COVER OF A PRESSURE VESSEL AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING AND DISASSEMBLING ONE SUCH SEALING SYSTEM

摘要

The invention relates to a system for sealing (20) an instrumentation column which passes through the cover (1) of a pressure vessel inside an adapter (3) that is fixed in a through hole in the cover. The aforementioned adapter projects out from the cover and comprises an end tube (8) which, together with the upper part of the column (5), defines an annular space for the positioning of at least one gasket (25, 27) which is disposed between a support bearing surface (12) of the column (5) and a gasket support (21). The inventive system comprises a limiter (30) for limiting the compression of the gasket (25, 27) and the gasket support (21), said gasket (25, 27) and compression limiter (30) being mechanically interconnected and forming an assembly that is intended to be mounted in the annular space or removed from said space in a single operation. The invention also relates to a method of assembling and disassembling said system for sealing an instrumentation column that passes through the cover of a pressure vessel, such as a nuclear reactor vessel.