Commissariat a L'energie Atomique

Jacky Viard

Robert Saglio

Bernard Lerat

Bernard Stockmann

Christian Gondard

Michel Asty

This probe comprises a cable (4) and a probe head (6) fixed to one end of the cable and having an inspection head (18) provided with transmission-reception means (22, 24) for inspection signals from a tube (2), a support (20) on which the inspection head is mounted in rotary manner, a motor (66) for rotating the inspection head, an encoder associated with the motor for determining the circumferential extent of faults which the tube may have, and a rotary collector (10) between the motor and the support in order to ensure a mechanical connection between the motor and the inspection head and the transmission of control signals for the said means (22, 24) and signals supplied by the latter. Articulated mechanical connections (14, 16) are provided between the motor and the collector and between the collector and the inspection head. A sheath which is flexible in flexion and rigid in torsion join together the support, the stator of the motor and the stator of the collector and prevents circumferential displacements thereof. Application to the inspection of heat exchanger tubes.

Bent tube inspection probe with a rotary inspection head

A vehicle able to move between two walls and particularly in the space between two vessels of a fast neutron reactor, for inspection and testing; the vehicle having two wheels bearing on one of the two walls and connected to the vehicle body by two longitudinal arms and two wheels bearing on the other wall and arranged symmetrically with respect to the previously mentioned wheels and connected to the vehicle body by two transverse arms. The longitudinal and transverse arms may be folded back to permit the passage of the assembly through an opening.

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Orsay, France

Jacky Viard