EP0929791A1 - Method and device for measuring the deformation of a guide tube - Google Patents

Method and device for measuring the deformation of a guide tube

Info

Publication number
EP0929791A1
EP0929791A1 EP97943016A EP97943016A EP0929791A1 EP 0929791 A1 EP0929791 A1 EP 0929791A1 EP 97943016 A EP97943016 A EP 97943016A EP 97943016 A EP97943016 A EP 97943016A EP 0929791 A1 EP0929791 A1 EP 0929791A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
probe
assembly
tube
guide
signal
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
EP97943016A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Pascal Descot
Eric Savin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Areva NP SAS
Original Assignee
Framatome SA
Compagnie Generale des Matieres Nucleaires SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Framatome SA, Compagnie Generale des Matieres Nucleaires SA filed Critical Framatome SA
Publication of EP0929791A1 publication Critical patent/EP0929791A1/en
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
    • G01B7/00—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques
    • G01B7/34—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques for measuring roughness or irregularity of surfaces
    • G01B7/345—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques for measuring roughness or irregularity of surfaces for measuring evenness
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C17/00—Monitoring; Testing ; Maintaining
    • G21C17/017—Inspection or maintenance of pipe-lines or tubes in nuclear installations
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E30/00—Energy generation of nuclear origin
    • Y02E30/30—Nuclear fission reactors

Definitions

  • the object of the present invention is to measure the deformation of the nuclear fuel assembly guide tubes, making it possible to check their straightness.
  • a fuel assembly can present deformations giving the guide tubes a non-rectilinear shape. It is important to detect the existence and the importance of such deformations before reloading in the reactor, in particular to guarantee the free passage of the adjustment cluster rods in the guide tubes.
  • the invention aims to provide a device and a method for obtaining a plot of the external deformations of a guide tube, usable while the assembly is kept under water.
  • FR-A-2 656 415) is already known a method for simultaneously measuring the distance between substantially parallel metal tubes constituting a sheet, in particular between tubes constituting the sheaths of the rods of a fuel assembly, and the thickness d oxide covering the tubes.
  • an eddy current probe is moved parallel to the sheet, pressing it in passing on the tubes; an electrical signal is supplied by the probe and represents variations in the impedance of the probe; the distance between rods is deduced from the measurement of the displacement of the probe between values of the signal corresponding to successive extrema of impedance.
  • This method is not applicable to the measurement of the deformation of guide tubes which do not constitute plies and which are not distributed at all equal intervals.
  • the invention provides a method according to which: (a) a current probe is moved horizontally Eddy so as to pass it successively over a substantially vertical rectilinear reference, metallic and on the guide tubes of a first row of the assembly kept vertical, the output signal of the probe is measured and the positions of the probe are memorized corresponding to the signal extrema, with respect to said mark, (b) step (a) is reproduced at several altitudes on said row, (c) steps (a) and (b) are reproduced on the other rows, (d ) the steps (a), ⁇ b) and (c) are reproduced with a displacement of the probe in a direction orthogonal to the first, (e) from the stored positions, the amplitude and the direction of the position deviations are calculated by relative to the nominal position for a straight tube, at each of the altitudes. Steps (b), (c) and (d) can be performed in any order.
  • Guide tubes unlike pencil sheaths, are generally not very oxidized. Measurement is made easier.
  • the probe and the measuring chain which processes its output signal can be calibrated by passing the probe over a section of standard tube placed near the assembly.
  • the method can be implemented using a device comprising elements common to that described in document FR-A-2 656 415.
  • the device can then include means for moving an eddy current probe in a determined horizontal direction and measuring the displacements of the probe, said probe comprising means intended to rest on a sheet of rods, to push it elastically, transversely. to the direction of movement of the probe, and apply it successively on the tubes encountered and on a marker placed outside the assembly; processing means supplying a signal depending on the impedance of the probe and making it possible to determine the signal extrema and the corresponding locations of the probe with respect to the reference; and means for calculating the deformations of the tube from the determined locations, measured at several levels and in two mutually orthogonal horizontal directions.
  • the fuel assembly guide tubes often have, at their lower part, an area of reduced diameter, little greater than that of a control cluster rod capable of descending into the tube.
  • Deformations of the guide tubes are particularly critical in this area.
  • the measurement can be carried out there in a particularly precise way by reference to a section of standard tube.
  • FIG. 1 is a simplified elevational view of a device for implementing the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a top view of ia Figure 1 with parts omitted;
  • FIG. 3 and 4 show, respectively in front view and in top view, a bracket for mounting a vertical mark consisting of a stretched metal wire;
  • FIG. 5 shows a constitution of a probe that can be used for implementing the invention
  • FIG. 6 is a block diagram.
  • the device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can be constructed in such a way that most of its mechanical elements, except for those intended for the actual measurement, are identical to those used for other checks on a fuel assembly.
  • the device comprises a fixed frame resting on the bottom of a swimming pool, for example a deactivation swimming pool.
  • This frame has a square support 10 forming a base, fixed to the bottom of the pool, intended to receive and hold in position the lower end piece 12 of an assembly 14.
  • This assembly can be removed using a operating rod or pole (not shown) engaged on the upper end piece 16 of the assembly.
  • the guide tubes, such as the guide tube 18 shown in FIG. 1, are then approximately vertical.
  • the frame also comprises vertical rails, not shown in FIG. 1, forming a rolling cnemm 20 for a carriage 22 provided with rollers 24.
  • the carriage is movable vertically by motor means provided with a device for measuring the vertical level.
  • motor means can for example be constituted by a motor for driving a pair of rollers (or pinions) engaged with a rail, provided with an encoder providing, in digital form, an indication of the level of the carriage.
  • the plate 26 can be moved from the position where it is shown in solid lines in FIG. 2 to the position shown in phantom, the distance between the two positions being at least equal to the width of the assembly 14.
  • the plate 26 is for example provided with rollers 30 driven by a motor not shown and rolling on a horizontal rail 32 provided on the carriage. This motor is also provided with an encoder providing an indication of the movements in the y direction.
  • the plate 28 is on its mobile side on a rail 34 secured to the plate 26.
  • a blade 36 carrying a measurement probe 38, which will be designated later by the term "saber".
  • This saber can have the constitution shown schematically in Figure 5, very similar to that already described in document FR-A-2 656 415 to which reference may be made.
  • the saber crosses a guide 39 fixed to the plate 26, which imposes an orientation parallel to it on one of the sides of the assembly 14.
  • a television camera 40 can be fixed on the guide to provide an operator, on a screen, an image of the area in which the measurement is made.
  • the device also includes at least one vertical reference with respect to which measurements are taken.
  • a first reference is constituted by a vertical wire 42 attached to a bracket carried by the edge of the coping 43 of the pool.
  • This tensioned wire makes it possible to measure the deformations and / or to trace the deformation of the guide tube over its entire length.
  • the bracket is formed by a horizontal section 44 whose position is adjustable on a carriage 45 which can also support the pole or rod handling the assembly.
  • the lower end of the wire which is several meters long, is hooked to the base 10.
  • a standard tube 46 with characteristics identical to those of a typical guide tube is fixed on the guide 39 at a location such that the measurement probe s 'presses him during the advancement of the plate 28, before arriving in one assemolage.
  • the assembly guide tubes have a part of reduced diameter over a fraction of their length, it is preferable to provide the base 10 with a section of reference tube 48, of length equal to that of the part of reduced diameter, allowing identification of the measurement probe. This reference tube allows a measurement very precise deformation on this part of reduced diameter.
  • the saber 36 is designed to be inserted between the appropriate rows of fuel rods 49, so that the measurement probe 38 can rest on the passage on the guide tubes 18.
  • Two superimposed springs 50 provided on the saber 36 are supported on the rods 49 of the row adjacent to that in which the guide tubes 18 to be checked are located.
  • the passage on a guide tube is detected by a maximum or a minimum of signal, as in the case already described in the document FR-A-2 656 415.
  • the support on a guide tube can be differentiated from the support on a fuel rod due to the difference in signal and by comparison with the signal supplied by passing over standard 46.
  • Figure 6 is a block diagram which shows a possible constitution of the signal processing system of the device.
  • the output signals from the probe 38 are shaped by operating circuits 52 and transmitted to a computer 54 as well as possibly to a display 56 allowing an operator to determine the instant of passage in the median plane of a guide cube.
  • the computer 54 is associated with a working working memory 57 and with a mass memory 58 making it possible to keep all the measurements made in two orthogonal directions of the assembly and to restore them to the computer 54 for the measurement of the deformations .
  • the computer 54 also receives the indications provided by the encoder of a motor 60 for vertical displacement (motor in z) and the indications provided by the encoder of a motor 62 for displacement in x.
  • the motors can be activated by the operator, so as to allow him to choose the levels at which the measurement is carried out and also to send an identification signal to the passage in the median plane of a guide tube 18.
  • the process for checking the straightness of the guide tubes an assembly 14 can then be carried out as follows.
  • the assembly 14 is put in place as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, then the plate 23 is moved back so that the saber is entirely disengaged from the assembly, that is to say moved from the position where it is shown in Figures 1 and 2 at an extreme right position, which can be detected by a sensor, for example 66.
  • the plate 26 is moved in the direction y so as to bring the saber in front of the gap between a row of pencils 49 of a row in which guide tubes 13 are inserted (FIG. 5).
  • Servo-control systems can be provided to prevent this movement in y if the plate 28 is not in its extreme recoil position.
  • the plate 28 is then moved in the direction x so that the measurement probe 38 comes to bear successively on the rods and the guide tubes, at a determined level.
  • the passage of the probe in the median plane of a guide tube is identified on the screen by the user who can then send the computer an order to record the position in x in mass memory 58.
  • This operation is carried out for all the rows comprising guide tubes (7 in number on a fuel assembly currently in use) and at several levels. Each time, the position of the guide tubes is identified with respect to the reference constituted by the tensioned wire 42.
  • the assembly is rotated 90 ° and the same operations are carried out, at the same levels.
  • the values thus acquired and stored in mass memory 58 are then processed offline, by the computer 54 or an offline computer, to determine the deformation by calculating the vector sum of the deformed in two directions at 90 °. It can be seen that the method and the device make it possible, at will, to measure and / or trace the deformation of the tube either over its entire length, or only in the part of reduced diameter.

Abstract

In order to measure the deformation of a guide tube of a nuclear fuel assembly (14), an eddy current sensor (38) is horizontally displaced so as to make it pass successively on a vertical rectilinear metal mark (42), and on the guide tubes of a first row of the assembly (14) maintained in vertical position; the output signal of the sensor is measured and the positions of the sensor (38) corresponding to the extrema of the signal with respect to said mark are memorised; this step is repeated at several heights on the row, then on the other rows. The same steps are repeated displacing the sensor (38) in a direction orthogonal to the first. From the memorised positions, the amplitude and the direction of the positional deviations with respect to the nominal position for a rectilinear tube, at each of these heights are computed.

Description

PROCEDE ET DISPOSITIF DE MESURE DE DEFORMATION DEFORMATION MEASUREMENT METHOD AND DEVICE
DE TUBE GUIDEGUIDE TUBE
La présente invention a pour objet la mesure de la déformation des tubes guides d'assemblage combustible nucléaire, permettant de contrôler leur rectitude.The object of the present invention is to measure the deformation of the nuclear fuel assembly guide tubes, making it possible to check their straightness.
A l'issue d'un passage en réacteur, un assemblage combustible peut présenter des déformations donnant aux tubes guides une forme non rectiligne. Il est important de déceler 1 ' existence et 1 ' importance de telles déformations avant rechargement dans le reacteur, notamment pour garantir le libre passage des crayons de grappe de réglage dans les tubes guides.At the end of a passage through a reactor, a fuel assembly can present deformations giving the guide tubes a non-rectilinear shape. It is important to detect the existence and the importance of such deformations before reloading in the reactor, in particular to guarantee the free passage of the adjustment cluster rods in the guide tubes.
L'invention vise à fournir un dispositif et un procédé permettant d'obtenir un tracé des déformations extérieures d'un tube guide, utilisables alors que l'assemblage est maintenu sous eau.The invention aims to provide a device and a method for obtaining a plot of the external deformations of a guide tube, usable while the assembly is kept under water.
On connaît déjà 'FR-A-2 656 415) un procédé permettant de mesurer simultanément la distance entre des tubes métalliques sensiblement parallèles constituant une nappe, notamment entre des tubes constituant les gaines des crayons d'un assemblage combustible, et l'épaisseur d'oxyde recouvrant les tubes. Pour cela, on déplace une sonde a courants de Foucault parallèlement a la nappe en l'appuyant au passage sur les tubes ; on enregistre un signal électrique fourni par la sonde et représentati des variations d'impédance de la sonde ; on déduit la distance entre crayons de la mesure du déplacement de la sonde entre valeurs du signal correspondant à des extrema successifs d'impédance. Ce procédé n'est pas applicable à la mesure de la déformation des tubes guides qui ne constituent pas des nappes et qui ne sont pas répartis à intervalles tous égaux.FR-A-2 656 415) is already known a method for simultaneously measuring the distance between substantially parallel metal tubes constituting a sheet, in particular between tubes constituting the sheaths of the rods of a fuel assembly, and the thickness d oxide covering the tubes. To do this, an eddy current probe is moved parallel to the sheet, pressing it in passing on the tubes; an electrical signal is supplied by the probe and represents variations in the impedance of the probe; the distance between rods is deduced from the measurement of the displacement of the probe between values of the signal corresponding to successive extrema of impedance. This method is not applicable to the measurement of the deformation of guide tubes which do not constitute plies and which are not distributed at all equal intervals.
Pour permettre une mesure, l' invention propose un procédé suivant lequel : (a) on déplace horizontalement une sonde à courants de Foucault de façon à la faire passer successivement sur un repère rectiligne sensiblement vertical, métallique et sur les tubes guides d'une première rangée de l'assemblage maintenu vertical, on mesure le signal de sortie de la sonde et on mémorise les positions de la sonde correspondant aux extrema du signal, par rapport audit repère, (b) on reproduit l'étape (a) à plusieurs altitudes sur ladite rangée, (c) on reproduit les étapes (a) et (b) sur les autres rangées , (d) on reproduit les étapes (a), ιb) et (c) avec un déplacement de la sonde dans un sens orthogonal au premier, (e) à partir des positions mémorisées, on calcule l'amplitude et la direction des écarts de position par rapport à la position nominale pour un tube rectiligne, à chacune des altitudes. Les étapes (b) , (c) et (d) peuvent être effectuées dans un ordre quelconque.To allow a measurement, the invention provides a method according to which: (a) a current probe is moved horizontally Eddy so as to pass it successively over a substantially vertical rectilinear reference, metallic and on the guide tubes of a first row of the assembly kept vertical, the output signal of the probe is measured and the positions of the probe are memorized corresponding to the signal extrema, with respect to said mark, (b) step (a) is reproduced at several altitudes on said row, (c) steps (a) and (b) are reproduced on the other rows, (d ) the steps (a), ιb) and (c) are reproduced with a displacement of the probe in a direction orthogonal to the first, (e) from the stored positions, the amplitude and the direction of the position deviations are calculated by relative to the nominal position for a straight tube, at each of the altitudes. Steps (b), (c) and (d) can be performed in any order.
Les tubes guides, contrairement aux gaines de crayons, sont généralement peu oxydées. La mesure en est facilitée. La sonde et la chaîne de mesure qui traite son signal de sortie peuvent être calibrées en faisant passer la sonde sur un tronçon de tube étalon placé à proximité de l'assemblage. Le procédé peut être mis en oeuvre en utilisant un dispositif comportant des éléments communs avec celui décrit dans le document FR-A-2 656 415.Guide tubes, unlike pencil sheaths, are generally not very oxidized. Measurement is made easier. The probe and the measuring chain which processes its output signal can be calibrated by passing the probe over a section of standard tube placed near the assembly. The method can be implemented using a device comprising elements common to that described in document FR-A-2 656 415.
Le dispositif peut comporter alors des moyens pour déplacer une sonde à courants de Foucault dans une direction horizontale déterminée et mesurer les déplacements de la sonde, ladite sonde comportant des moyens destinés à s'appuyer sur une nappe de crayons, pour la repousser élastiquement , transversalement à la direction de déplace- ment de la sonde, et l'appliquer successivement sur les tubes rencontrés et sur un repère placé hors de l'assemblage ; des moyens de traitement fournissant un signal fonction de l'impédance de la sonde et permettant de déterminer les extrema du signal et les emplacements de la sonde corres- pondants par rapport au repère ; et des moyens pour calculer les déformations du tube à partir des emplacements déterminés, mesurés à plusieurs niveaux et dans deux directions horizontales mutuellement orthogonales.The device can then include means for moving an eddy current probe in a determined horizontal direction and measuring the displacements of the probe, said probe comprising means intended to rest on a sheet of rods, to push it elastically, transversely. to the direction of movement of the probe, and apply it successively on the tubes encountered and on a marker placed outside the assembly; processing means supplying a signal depending on the impedance of the probe and making it possible to determine the signal extrema and the corresponding locations of the probe with respect to the reference; and means for calculating the deformations of the tube from the determined locations, measured at several levels and in two mutually orthogonal horizontal directions.
Les tubes guides d'assemblage combustible présentent souvent, à leur partie basse, une zone de diamètre réduit, peu supérieur à celui d'un crayon de grappe de commande susceptible de descendre dans le tube.The fuel assembly guide tubes often have, at their lower part, an area of reduced diameter, little greater than that of a control cluster rod capable of descending into the tube.
Les déformations des tubes guides sont particulièrement critiques dans cette zone. La mesure peut y être effectuée de façon particulièrement précise par référence a un tronçon de tube étalon.Deformations of the guide tubes are particularly critical in this area. The measurement can be carried out there in a particularly precise way by reference to a section of standard tube.
L'invention sera mieux comprise a la lecture de la description qui suit d'un mode particulier de réalisation de l'invention, donné à titre d'exemple non limitatif. La description se réfère aux dessins qui l'accompagnent, dans lesquels :The invention will be better understood on reading the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, given by way of non-limiting example. The description refers to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- la figure 1 est une vue simplifiée en élévation, d'un dispositif permettant de mettre en oeuvre 1 invention ;- Figure 1 is a simplified elevational view of a device for implementing the invention;
- la figure 2 est une vue de dessus de ia figure 1 avec des parties omises ;- Figure 2 is a top view of ia Figure 1 with parts omitted;
- les figures 3 et 4 montrent, respectivement en vue de face et en vue de dessus, une potence de montage d'un repère vertical constitué par un fil métallique tendu ;- Figures 3 and 4 show, respectively in front view and in top view, a bracket for mounting a vertical mark consisting of a stretched metal wire;
- la figure 5 montre une constitution de sonde utilisa- ble pour la mise en oeuvre de l'invention ;FIG. 5 shows a constitution of a probe that can be used for implementing the invention;
- la figure 6 est un synoptique de principe.- Figure 6 is a block diagram.
Le dispositif montré en figures 1 et 2 peut être constitué de façon que la plupart de ses éléments mécaniques, exception faite de ceux destinés à la mesure propre- ment dite, soient identiques à ceux utilisés pour d'autres vérifications sur un assemblage combustible.The device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can be constructed in such a way that most of its mechanical elements, except for those intended for the actual measurement, are identical to those used for other checks on a fuel assembly.
Le dispositif comprend une charpente fixe reposant sur le fond d'une piscine, par exemple d'une piscine de désacti- vation. Cette charpente a un support en équerre 10 formant un socle, fixé au fond de la piscine, destiné à recevoir et à maintenir en position l'embout inférieur 12 d'un assemblage 14. Cet assemblage peut être déposé à l'aide d'une tige ou perche de manoeuvre (non représentée) en prise sur l'embout supérieur 16 de l'assemblage. Les tubes guide, tel que le tube guide 18 montré en figure 1, sont alors approximativement verticaux.The device comprises a fixed frame resting on the bottom of a swimming pool, for example a deactivation swimming pool. This frame has a square support 10 forming a base, fixed to the bottom of the pool, intended to receive and hold in position the lower end piece 12 of an assembly 14. This assembly can be removed using a operating rod or pole (not shown) engaged on the upper end piece 16 of the assembly. The guide tubes, such as the guide tube 18 shown in FIG. 1, are then approximately vertical.
La charpente comprend également des rails verticaux, non représentés sur la figure 1, formant un cnemm de roulement 20 pour un chariot 22 muni de galets 24. Le chariot est déplaçable verticalement par des moyens moteur munis d'un appareil de mesure du niveau vertical. Ces moyens peuvent par exemple être constitués par un moteur d'entraînement d'un couple de galets (ou de pignons) en prise avec un rail, muni d'un codeur fournissant, sous forme numérique, une indication du niveau du chariot.The frame also comprises vertical rails, not shown in FIG. 1, forming a rolling cnemm 20 for a carriage 22 provided with rollers 24. The carriage is movable vertically by motor means provided with a device for measuring the vertical level. These means can for example be constituted by a motor for driving a pair of rollers (or pinions) engaged with a rail, provided with an encoder providing, in digital form, an indication of the level of the carriage.
Le chariot 22, mobile verticalement, porte à son tour une table à mouvements croisés, ayant un plateau 26 déplaçable suivant une direction y parallèle a l'un des côtés de l'assemblage 14, et un plateau 28 déplaçable orthogonale ent au précédent, suivant une direction x (figure 2 ) . Le plateau 26 est déplaçable de la position où il est représenté en traits pleins sur la figure 2 à la position représentée en traits mixtes, la distance entre les deux positions étant au moins égale à la largeur de l'assemblage 14. Le plateau 26 est par exemple muni de galets 30 entraînés par un moteur non représenté et roulant sur un rail 32 horizontal prévu sur le chariot. Ce moteur est lui aussi muni d'un codeur fournissant une indication sur les déplacements dans la direction y. Le plateau 28 est de son côté mobile sur un rail 34 solidaire du plateau 26. Sur le plateau 28 est fixée une lame 36, portant une sonde de mesure 38, qu'on désignera ultérieurement par le terme "sabre". Ce sabre peut avoir la constitution montrée schématiquement en figure 5, très similaire à celle déjà décrite dans le document FR-A-2 656 415 auquel on pourra se reporter. Le sabre traverse un guide 39 fixé au plateau 26, qui lui impose une orientation parallèle à 1 ' un des côtés de l'assemblage 14. Une caméra de télévision 40 peut être fixée sur le guide pour fournir à un opérateur, sur un écran, une image de la zone dans laquelle s'effectue la mesure.The carriage 22, movable vertically, in turn carries a table with crossed movements, having a plate 26 movable in a direction y parallel to one of the sides of the assembly 14, and a plate 28 movable orthogonal to the previous, following a direction x (figure 2). The plate 26 can be moved from the position where it is shown in solid lines in FIG. 2 to the position shown in phantom, the distance between the two positions being at least equal to the width of the assembly 14. The plate 26 is for example provided with rollers 30 driven by a motor not shown and rolling on a horizontal rail 32 provided on the carriage. This motor is also provided with an encoder providing an indication of the movements in the y direction. The plate 28 is on its mobile side on a rail 34 secured to the plate 26. On the plate 28 is fixed a blade 36, carrying a measurement probe 38, which will be designated later by the term "saber". This saber can have the constitution shown schematically in Figure 5, very similar to that already described in document FR-A-2 656 415 to which reference may be made. The saber crosses a guide 39 fixed to the plate 26, which imposes an orientation parallel to it on one of the sides of the assembly 14. A television camera 40 can be fixed on the guide to provide an operator, on a screen, an image of the area in which the measurement is made.
Le dispositif comporte encore au moins un repère vertical par rapport: auquel sont effectuées les mesures. Dans le mode de réalisation illustre, un premier repère est constitué par un fil vertical 42 accroché à une potence portée par le bord de la margelle 43 de la piscine. Ce fil tendu permet de mesurer les déformations et/ou de tracer la déformée du tube guide sur toute sa longueur. Dans le cas illustré sur les figures 3 et 4, la potence est constituée par un profilé horizontal 44 dont la position est ajustable sur un chariot 45 qui peut également supporter la perche ou tige de manutention de l'assemblage. L'extrémité inférieure du fil, qui a une longueur de plusieurs mètres, est accrochée au socle 10.The device also includes at least one vertical reference with respect to which measurements are taken. In the illustrated embodiment, a first reference is constituted by a vertical wire 42 attached to a bracket carried by the edge of the coping 43 of the pool. This tensioned wire makes it possible to measure the deformations and / or to trace the deformation of the guide tube over its entire length. In the case illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the bracket is formed by a horizontal section 44 whose position is adjustable on a carriage 45 which can also support the pole or rod handling the assembly. The lower end of the wire, which is several meters long, is hooked to the base 10.
Pour permettre un calibrage de la sonde de mesure et de la chaîne d'exploitation du signal, un tube étalon 46 de caractéristiques identiques à celles d'un tube guide type est fixé sur le guide 39 a un emplacement tel que la sonde de mesure s'appuie sur lui lors de l'avancée du plateau 28, avant d'arriver dans 1 ' assemolage . Enfin, lorsque les tubes guide de l'assemblage comportent une partie de diamètre réduit sur une fraction de leur longueur, il est préférable de munir le socle 10 d'un tronçon de tube de référence 48, de longueur égale à celle de la partie de diamètre réduit, permettant un repérage de la sonde de mesure. Ce tube de référence permet une mesure de déformation très précise sur cette partie de diamètre réduit .To allow calibration of the measurement probe and of the signal processing chain, a standard tube 46 with characteristics identical to those of a typical guide tube is fixed on the guide 39 at a location such that the measurement probe s 'presses him during the advancement of the plate 28, before arriving in one assemolage. Finally, when the assembly guide tubes have a part of reduced diameter over a fraction of their length, it is preferable to provide the base 10 with a section of reference tube 48, of length equal to that of the part of reduced diameter, allowing identification of the measurement probe. This reference tube allows a measurement very precise deformation on this part of reduced diameter.
Le sabre 36 est prévu pour s'insérer entre les rangées de crayons de combustible 49 appropriées, de façon que la sonde de mesure 38 puisse s'appuyer au passage sur les tubes guide 18. Deux ressorts 50 superposés prévus sur le sabre 36 prennent appui sur les crayons 49 de la rangée adjacente à celle dans laquelle se trouvent les tubes guides 18 à contrôler. Le passage sur un tube guide est décelé par un maximum ou un minimum de signal, comme dans le cas déjà décrit dans le document FR-A-2 656 415. L'appui sur un tube guide peut être différencié de l'appui sur un crayon de combustible du fait de la différence de signal et par comparaison avec le signal fourni par passage sur l'étalon 46.The saber 36 is designed to be inserted between the appropriate rows of fuel rods 49, so that the measurement probe 38 can rest on the passage on the guide tubes 18. Two superimposed springs 50 provided on the saber 36 are supported on the rods 49 of the row adjacent to that in which the guide tubes 18 to be checked are located. The passage on a guide tube is detected by a maximum or a minimum of signal, as in the case already described in the document FR-A-2 656 415. The support on a guide tube can be differentiated from the support on a fuel rod due to the difference in signal and by comparison with the signal supplied by passing over standard 46.
La figure 6 est un synoptique qui montre une constitution possible du système d'exploitation des signaux du dispositif. Les signaux de sortie de la sonde 38 sont mis en forme par des circuits d'exploitation 52 et transmis à un calculateur 54 ainsi éventuellement qu'à un afficheur 56 permettant à un opérateur de déterminer l'instant de passage dans le plan médian d'un cube guide. Le calculateur 54 est associé à une mémoire vive de travail 57 et à une mémoire de masse 58 permettant de conserver l'ensemble des mesures effectuées dans deux directions orthogonales de l'assemblage et de les restituer au calculateur 54 en vue de la mesure des déformations. Le calculateur 54 reçoit également les indications fournies par le codeur d'un moteur 60 de déplacement vertical (moteur en z) et les indications fournies par le codeur d'un moteur 62 de déplacement en x. Les moteurs peuvent être actionnés par l'opérateur, de façon à lui permettre de choisir les niveaux auxquels s'effectue la mesure et également d'envoyer un signal d'identification au passage dans le plan médian d'un tube guide 18. Le procédé de contrôle de la rectitude des tubes guides d'un assemblage 14 peut alors être effectué de la façon suivante .Figure 6 is a block diagram which shows a possible constitution of the signal processing system of the device. The output signals from the probe 38 are shaped by operating circuits 52 and transmitted to a computer 54 as well as possibly to a display 56 allowing an operator to determine the instant of passage in the median plane of a guide cube. The computer 54 is associated with a working working memory 57 and with a mass memory 58 making it possible to keep all the measurements made in two orthogonal directions of the assembly and to restore them to the computer 54 for the measurement of the deformations . The computer 54 also receives the indications provided by the encoder of a motor 60 for vertical displacement (motor in z) and the indications provided by the encoder of a motor 62 for displacement in x. The motors can be activated by the operator, so as to allow him to choose the levels at which the measurement is carried out and also to send an identification signal to the passage in the median plane of a guide tube 18. The process for checking the straightness of the guide tubes an assembly 14 can then be carried out as follows.
L'assemblage 14 est mis en place comme indiqué sur les figures 1 et 2 , puis le plateau 23 est reculé de façon que le sabre soit entièrement dégagé de l'assemblage, c'est-à- dire déplacé de la position où il est montré en figures 1 et 2 à une position extrême à droite, qui peut être décelée grâce à un capteur, par exemple 66. Le plateau 26 est déplacé suivant la direction y de façon à amener le sabre en face de 1 ' intervalle qui sépare une rangée de crayons 49 d'une rangée dans laquelle des tubes guides 13 sont intercalés (figure 5) . Des asservissements peuvent être prévus pour interdire ce déplacement en y si le plateau 28 n'est pas dans sa position extrême de recul. Le plateau 28 est ensuite déplacé suivant la direction x de façon que la sonde de mesure 38 vienne s'appuyer successivement sur les crayons et les tubes guides, à un niveau déterminé. Le passage de la sonde dans le plan médian d'un tube guide est repéré, sur écran, par l'utilisateur qui peut alors adresser au calcula- teur un ordre d'enregistrer la position en x en mémoire de masse 58.The assembly 14 is put in place as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, then the plate 23 is moved back so that the saber is entirely disengaged from the assembly, that is to say moved from the position where it is shown in Figures 1 and 2 at an extreme right position, which can be detected by a sensor, for example 66. The plate 26 is moved in the direction y so as to bring the saber in front of the gap between a row of pencils 49 of a row in which guide tubes 13 are inserted (FIG. 5). Servo-control systems can be provided to prevent this movement in y if the plate 28 is not in its extreme recoil position. The plate 28 is then moved in the direction x so that the measurement probe 38 comes to bear successively on the rods and the guide tubes, at a determined level. The passage of the probe in the median plane of a guide tube is identified on the screen by the user who can then send the computer an order to record the position in x in mass memory 58.
Cette opération est effectuée pour toutes les rangées comportant des tubes guides (au nombre de 7 sur un assemblage combustible courant à l'heure actuelle) et à plusieurs niveaux. Chaque fois, la position des tubes guides est repérée par rapport à la référence constituée par le fil tendu 42.This operation is carried out for all the rows comprising guide tubes (7 in number on a fuel assembly currently in use) and at several levels. Each time, the position of the guide tubes is identified with respect to the reference constituted by the tensioned wire 42.
Une fois ces opérations effectuées, l'assemblage est tourné de 90° et les mêmes opérations sont effectuées, aux mêmes niveaux.Once these operations have been carried out, the assembly is rotated 90 ° and the same operations are carried out, at the same levels.
Les valeurs ainsi acquises et stockées en mémoire de masse 58 sont ensuite traitées en différé, par le calculateur 54 ou un calculateur hors ligne, pour déterminer la déformation par un calcul de la somme vectorielle des déformées suivant les deux directions à 90°. On voit que le procédé et le dispositif permettent, à volonté de mesurer et/ou de tracer le déformé du tube soit sur toute sa longueur, soit uniquement dans la partie de diamètre réduit. The values thus acquired and stored in mass memory 58 are then processed offline, by the computer 54 or an offline computer, to determine the deformation by calculating the vector sum of the deformed in two directions at 90 °. It can be seen that the method and the device make it possible, at will, to measure and / or trace the deformation of the tube either over its entire length, or only in the part of reduced diameter.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Procédé de mesure de la déformation d'un tube guide d'assemblage combustible nucléaire, suivant lequel : (a) on déplace horizontalement une sonde à courants de Foucault de façon à la faire passer successivement sur un repère rectiligne vertical, métallique, et sur les tubes guides d'une première rangée de l'assemblage maintenu vertical, on mesure le signal de sortie de la sonde et on mémorise les positions de la sonde correspondant aux extrema du signal, par rapport audit repère, (b) on reproduit l'étape (a) à plusieurs altitudes sur ladite rangée, (c) on reproduit les étapes (a) et (b) sur les autres rangées , (d) on reproduit les étapes (a) , (b) et (c) avec un déplacement de la sonde dans un sens orthogonal au premier, (e) à partir des positions mémorisées, on calcule l'amplitude et la direction αes écarts de position par rapport à la position nominale pour un tube rectiligne, à chacune des altitudes.1. A method of measuring the deformation of a nuclear fuel assembly guide tube, according to which: (a) an eddy current probe is moved horizontally so as to pass it successively over a vertical, metallic, straight line, and on the guide tubes of a first row of the assembly kept vertical, the probe output signal is measured and the positions of the probe corresponding to the signal extrema are memorized, with respect to said mark, (b) the l is reproduced step (a) at several altitudes on said row, (c) reproducing steps (a) and (b) on the other rows, (d) reproducing steps (a), (b) and (c) with a displacement of the probe in a direction orthogonal to the first, (e) from the memorized positions, the amplitude and the direction are calculated αes position deviations with respect to the nominal position for a rectilinear tube, at each of the altitudes.
2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'on calibre la sonde et sa chaîne de mesure en faisant passer la sonde sur un tronçon de tube étalon placé à proximité de 1 ' assemblage .2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the probe and its measuring chain are calibrated by passing the probe over a section of standard tube placed near the assembly.
3. Procédé selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce qu'on différencie visuellement l'appui sur un tube guide d'un appui sur un crayon de combustible par comparaison avec le signal lors du passage sur le tube étalon.3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that visually differentiates the support on a guide tube from a support on a fuel rod by comparison with the signal when passing over the standard tube.
4. Procédé selon la revendication 1, 2 ou 3 , caractérisé en ce que l'on relève chaque position de la sonde correspondant au plan médian d'un tube guide par surveillance visuelle des extrema du signal sur un écran. 4. Method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that each position of the probe corresponding to the median plane of a guide tube is noted by visual monitoring of the signal extrema on a screen.
5. Dispositif de mesure de la déformation des tubes guides d'un assemblage combustible nucléaire, comprenant : des moyens fixes prévus pour recevoir un assemblage en position verticale ; un chariot (22) déplaçable verticale- ment sur les dits moyens fixes et portant une table à mouvements croisés munie de moteurs pour provoquer des déplacements, suivant deux directions parallèles aux côtés de l'assemblage porté par les moyens fixes, d'une sonde à courants de Foucault et pour mesurer les déplacements de la sonde, ladite sonde comportant des moyens destinés à l'appuyer sur une nappe de crayons, la repousser élastique- ment , transversalement a sa direction de déplacement vers et à partir de l'assemblage et l'appliquer successivement sur les tubes rencontrés et sur un repère placé hors de l'as- semblage ; des moyens de traitement fournissant un signal fonction de l'impédance de la sonde et permettant de déterminer les extrema du signal et les emplacements de la sonde correspondants, par rapport au repère ; et des moyens pour calculer les déformations du tube à partir desdits emplacements, mesurés à plusieurs niveaux et dans deux directions horizontales mutuellement orthogonales.5. Device for measuring the deformation of the guide tubes of a nuclear fuel assembly, comprising: fixed means provided for receiving an assembly in a vertical position; a carriage (22) vertically movable on said fixed means and carrying a cross-motion table provided with motors to cause displacements, in two directions parallel to the sides of the assembly carried by the fixed means, of a probe eddy currents and to measure the displacements of the probe, said probe comprising means intended to support it on a sheet of rods, to push it elasticly, transversely to its direction of movement towards and from the assembly and the '' apply successively to the tubes encountered and to a mark placed outside the assembly; processing means supplying a signal which is a function of the impedance of the probe and making it possible to determine the signal extrema and the locations of the corresponding probe, relative to the reference; and means for calculating the deformations of the tube from said locations, measured at several levels and in two mutually orthogonal horizontal directions.
6. Dispositif selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que le dit repère est constitué par un fil vertical (42) accroché à une potence portée par le bord de la margelle (43) d'une piscine contenant les moyens fixes.6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that said mark is constituted by a vertical wire (42) attached to a bracket carried by the edge of the coping (43) of a swimming pool containing the fixed means.
7. Dispositif selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce qu'un premier plateau (26) destiné à déplacer la sonde transversalement à l'assemblage porte un tube étalon (46) de caractéristiques identiques à celles d'un tube guide, à un emplacement tel que la sonde de mesure s'appuie sur lui lors de l'avancée du second plateau (28) avant d'arriver dans 1 ' assemblage .7. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that a first plate (26) intended to move the probe transversely to the assembly carries a standard tube (46) with characteristics identical to those of a guide tube, at a location such that the measurement probe is supported on it during the advancement of the second plate (28) before arriving in one assembly.
8. Dispositif selon la revendication 5, 6 ou 7 de mesure sur des tubes guide comportant une partie de diamètre réduit sur une fraction de leur longueur, caractérisé en ce que les moyens fixes (10) portent un tronçon de tube de référence (48) de longueur égale à celle de la partie de diamètre réduit, permettant un repérage de la sonde.8. Device according to claim 5, 6 or 7 for measuring on guide tubes comprising a part of reduced diameter over a fraction of their length, characterized in that the fixed means (10) carry a section of reference tube (48) of length equal to that of the part of reduced diameter, allowing a location of the probe.
9. Dispositif selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que le premier plateau (26) porte un guide (39) qui impose à la sonde une orientation parallèle à 1 ' un des côtés de l'assemblage (14) ainsi éventuellement qu'une caméra (40) fixée sur le guide pour fournir à un opérateur sur écran, une image de la zone dans laquelle s'effectue la mesure. 9. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the first plate (26) carries a guide (39) which imposes on the probe an orientation parallel to one of the sides of the assembly (14) as well as possibly a camera (40) fixed on the guide to provide a screen operator with an image of the area in which the measurement is made.
EP97943016A 1996-09-30 1997-09-29 Method and device for measuring the deformation of a guide tube Ceased EP0929791A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9611871A FR2754053B1 (en) 1996-09-30 1996-09-30 GUIDED TUBE DEFORMATION MEASUREMENT METHOD AND DEVICE
FR9611871 1996-09-30
PCT/FR1997/001709 WO1998014752A1 (en) 1996-09-30 1997-09-29 Method and device for measuring the deformation of a guide tube

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FR (1) FR2754053B1 (en)
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ZA978746B (en) 1998-03-30
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CN1232541A (en) 1999-10-20
FR2754053B1 (en) 1999-04-16

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