Defective nuclear reactor fuel rod localiser - has deflecting springs with strain gauges on fingers with ultrasonic test heads

摘要

Defective fuel rods within fuel elements of water-cooled nuclear reactors are localised by introducing a frame with comb-like fingers which have ultrasonic test heads at the free ends. Deflecting springs with srain gauges are attached to the sizes of the free finger ends. Their distance is at least equal to the normal gap between the fuel rods. A processor compares the deflection with the normal value. This device can be used to localised in the one operation both rods with an influx of water and rods which reveal any deformation.