Ronald E Lindeman

US Patent:

59303166, Jul 27, 1999

Filed:

May 29, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/086653

Inventors:

Balasubramanian Srikantiah Kowdley - San Jose CA
Henry Alexander Points - San Jose CA
Ronald E. Lindeman - San Jose CA

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G21C 1701

US Classification:

376249

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for examining a nuclear reactor shroud are described. In one embodiment the inspection apparatus includes an elongate tubular upper section, an elongate middle section, an elongate lower section, and a scanner arm assembly movably coupled to the middle section. The inspection apparatus is configured to be inserted into the reactor pressure vessel through one of the openings in the reactor core plate. The upper section includes a bail handle and an indexing ring having an alignment lug, a plurality of slots and a movable locking tab configured to engage the slots. The lower section includes a rotary bearing located at the bottom end. The lower section is configured to engage and rest on a control rod drive housing. The middle section includes a movable door and a movable traveler plate movably coupled to the scanner arm assembly. The scanner arm assembly includes a fixed track, a movable track, a scanner carriage, and a scanner array.