Sensor Head Drive System for Inspection of Fuel Channels in CANDU Reactors

Abstract

The failure of a pressure tube in Pickering Nuclear Generating Station 'A' in August 1983 created an urgent requirement to inspect other pressure tubes as quickly as possible. Equipment consisting of a drive, drive rod conveyor system, and the associated control and instrumentation was designed , developed, manufactured, tested and delivered in less than 4 weeks by Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, CANDU Operations. This paper describes this remote controlled and operated system which is used to drive an inspection head in a programmed sequence, and to provide sensor head axial and polar position information in conjunction with the inspection data.