JP2006343284A - Inspection device and inspection method of fuel assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inspection device of a fuel assembly capable of reducing a labor load of an operator. <P>SOLUTION: This device has a fuel channel detaching machine 2 for loading a fuel assembly 3 of a reactor vertically movably or rotatably, an underwater color television camera device 4 for photographing an image of a prescribed portion of the fuel assembly 3 loaded on the fuel channel detaching machine 2, a photometer for measuring each brightness of domains A, B in the image based on an image signal by the camera device 4, a photometry control part 8g for determining the loading state of the fuel assembly 3 corresponding to a relative brightness change in the domains A, B based on a measurement signal by the photometer, and a position control part 8f and a position control driving device 54 for controlling variably an imaged domain by the camera device 4 corresponding to determination by the photometry control part 8g. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel assembly inspection apparatus and inspection method for a nuclear reactor, and more particularly to a fuel assembly inspection apparatus and inspection method using a television camera.

  Normally, at nuclear power plants, periodic inspections are carried out every predetermined operating period. In the periodic inspection, the fuel integrity of the fuel assemblies irradiated in the reactor is inspected before being reloaded into the reactor and reused.

  For example, a fuel assembly for a boiling water reactor used in a boiling water nuclear power plant is generally maintained at a predetermined interval by bundling a plurality of rod-shaped fuel rods by a plurality of spacers in a rectangular tube channel box. The upper end portion of each fuel rod is an upper tie plate via a spring, and the lower end portion is a long object having a length of about 4.4 m, which is bound by a lower tie plate.

  When inspecting this fuel assembly, a fuel channel attaching / detaching machine (hereinafter referred to as “FPM” as appropriate) installed on the pool side wall surface of a spent fuel pool (hereinafter referred to as “fuel pool” where appropriate) filled with cooling water is usually used. In the state where the fuel assembly to be inspected is placed on the channel box and the channel box is removed (hereinafter, the fuel assembly in this state is referred to as “fuel assembly”), the appearance is inspected by the underwater color television camera. The appearance inspection is to check whether the fuel assembly can be reused. Conventionally, the appearance of the fuel assembly is checked by checking the bend of the fuel assembly, spacer spacing, fuel rod spacing, fuel rod surface condition, foreign matter, etc. Inspection is performed by observing (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  That is, in this prior art, the FPM causes the channel box to be attached / detached, the fuel assembly swiveled, and raised / lowered along the guide rail in the fuel pool. The underwater color TV camera is suspended in the fuel pool with a crane or the like through an operation pole, and the underwater lighting fixture attached to the underwater color TV camera is turned on toward the fuel assembly to display the image of the fuel assembly. It is displayed on the upper monitor screen and observed and inspected. It also records video on a video recording device such as a video deck. The appearance inspection is continuously performed every four outer peripheral surfaces over the entire length of the fuel assembly. First, the operator makes a predetermined outer peripheral surface to be observed face to the underwater color television camera by turning the fuel assembly by FPM by remote control, and further rising and lowering similarly by FPM, An observer observes and inspects from the upper end to the lower end of the fuel assembly. Next, the operator turns the fuel assembly with FPM, makes the next outer peripheral surface face the underwater color television camera, and the observer repeats the observation inspection in the same manner, thereby performing observation inspection on the four outer peripheral surfaces.

  On the other hand, FIG. 13 shows a fuel assembly 320 used in a normal boiling water nuclear power plant. In the fuel assembly 320, a plurality of fuel rods 321 and a water rod are bundled in a square lattice with a plurality of spacers 324, and upper and lower ends are fixed by an upper tie plate 322 and a lower tie plate 323. The irradiated fuel assembly 320 needs to be checked for its soundness before being reloaded into the nuclear reactor and reused. For this reason, Patent Documents 2 to 4 are known as devices used for fuel assembly inspections that are performed during periodic inspections.

  In Patent Document 2, an image is automatically recorded only when a TV camera position reaches a predetermined position programmed in advance in an appearance inspection, thereby reducing the amount of stored image storage and measuring dimensions by image processing. If possible. In Patent Document 3, it is possible to quantitatively evaluate the fuel rod gap and the fuel rod diameter by providing a size measuring device and an image processing device together with an appearance inspection device such as an underwater television camera. Moreover, in patent document 4, the bending of a fuel assembly and each fuel rod is measured from the image which image | photographed the fuel assembly.

  FIG. 14 shows an example of an appearance inspection apparatus for the fuel assembly 320 that is implemented during the periodic inspection of the boiling water nuclear power plant. The underwater television camera 301 is used to check the soundness of the members such as the fuel rods 321 and the spacers 324 constituting the fuel assembly 320, and to check the accuracy of the fuel rod gaps. (For example, an ordinary commercially available video deck 304). At this time, in addition to the video information, an index such as a fuel assembly number, an inspection date, and a measurement surface is input by the video typewriter 303 and recorded together with the video signal. FIG. 15 shows the system configuration of the visual inspection apparatus shown in FIG. In the conventional visual inspection apparatus, in order to know the predetermined height position in the longitudinal direction of the fuel assembly, it is necessary to record the height position information of the channel attaching / detaching machine at the visual inspection.

  FIG. 16 shows an example of a method for measuring the total length of the fuel assembly among the fuel assembly dimensional inspections such as the total length of the fuel assembly, the total length of the fuel rods, and the spacer interval for the purpose of confirming the irradiation behavior of the fuel assembly. . In this inspection, an appearance image captured by the underwater television camera 301 is displayed on the monitor television 305, and a reference line 326 used as a positioning reference is displayed on the screen of the monitor television 305.

  When measuring the total length of the fuel assembly, first, the channel attaching / detaching machine (moving device) 325 is operated, and the upper tie plate 322 of the fuel assembly coincides with the reference line 326 as shown in FIG. Then, the dimension of the measure 327 at the coincident position is recorded. Thereafter, the channel attaching / detaching device 325 is operated, and the upper surface of the lower tie plate 323 of the fuel assembly is aligned with the reference line 326 on the screen of the monitor television 305 as shown in FIG. The dimensions of the major 327 are recorded, and the total length of the fuel assembly is calculated from each dimension value. Similarly, by aligning the upper and lower ends of the fuel rods 321 and the spacer 324 with the reference line on the monitor television and recording the dimensions of the major 327 at that time, the total length of the fuel rods and the spacer interval can be measured. .

  Also, the same dimension measurement as described above can be performed based on the position information of the channel attaching / detaching machine 325 without using the measure 327.

  Also, a technique for measuring and displaying position information using an encoder or the like, and converting the position information into a video signal using a video counter, and superimposing it on appearance video information (video signal) captured by an underwater television camera. The method of recording with a video deck is a known technique.

JP 2001-83279 A (paragraph number 0002, FIG. 6) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-226697 JP-A-9-280828 JP-A-10-274690

However, the prior art described in Patent Document 1 has the following problems.
In other words, due to the structure of the FPM and the fuel assembly itself, a fuel assembly that is about 4.4 m long is rarely mounted perpendicular to the FPM, and must always be tilted somewhat in any direction. It is usually installed. As a result, when the operator moves the fuel assembly up and down by FPM, the image of the fuel assembly displayed on the monitor screen is shifted to either the left or right side of the screen, and often protrudes from the screen. . In this case, it is necessary to stop observation and readjust the position of the underwater color television camera, which increases the labor burden on the operator.

  On the other hand, in the fuel assembly having the above-described structure, the outer shapes of the four outer peripheral surfaces are substantially the same. Therefore, when viewing the image of the fuel assembly through the underwater color television camera, it is difficult to distinguish on the monitor screen which one of the four outer peripheral surfaces the projected image is. The axial position (height position) of the fuel assembly can also be distinguished if it is the upper tie plate portion or the lower tie plate portion, but the fuel rods between the spacer portions and the spacer portions are also distinguished in the same way. It is very difficult to put on. In particular, in the visual inspection, the monitor screen on which the image of the fuel assembly is displayed is video-recorded. When the recorded video tape is played back after the visual inspection, what part of the fuel assembly is being viewed? It is very difficult to distinguish. For these reasons, the operator usually adds character information to the video at the time of shooting.

  The character information includes the fuel assembly surface number (a number that differs for each of the four outer peripheral surfaces), the spacer number that is the height position information (a number that differs for each of the plurality of spacers in the axial direction), and between the spacers. (For example, a double-side spacer number), a fuel assembly number, an inspection date, and the like. The character information input method uses a character input device such as a video typewriter or a title generator, and is manually input by the operator at the time of shooting.

  However, in order for the operator to correctly input the fuel assembly surface number and spacer number, the monitor screen is always displayed while the fuel assembly is swung or moved up and down from the beginning of the inspection. It is necessary to continue monitoring and to recognize the fact correctly after turning and moving up and down and to input the corresponding character information. For this purpose, it is sometimes necessary to look into the fuel assembly in the pool water from above the pool side, visually confirm the positional relationship with the underwater color TV camera using binoculars, and check the surface number and spacer number. This also increases the labor burden on the operator.

  On the other hand, since the above situation is recognized, the character information and the position deviation of the fuel assembly are worried, and the observation of the fuel assembly that should be performed originally is sparse and cannot be focused.

  Moreover, the following subject exists in the prior art of the said patent documents 2-4.

  That is, only the video information is recorded by the conventional visual inspection apparatus. In order to know the predetermined height position of the fuel assembly, the height position information of the channel attaching / detaching machine is entered on the recording sheet at the visual inspection. It was necessary to keep. Therefore, when the appearance image is reproduced, it is necessary to collate with the height position information recording sheet in order to know the height position information of the observation location. However, in the case of reconfirming the height position, It had to be a rough one.

  On the other hand, in the dimension inspection, since it is necessary to accurately align the measurement object with respect to the reference line, it is a factor that takes an inspection time. Furthermore, since it is necessary for the inspector to read the major dimension value and record it on the recording paper, there is a possibility of human error such as a recording error.

  In addition, the same dimension measurement as described above can be performed based on the position information of the channel attaching / detaching machine without using a measure, but since the position accuracy of the channel attaching / detaching machine is large, it affects the measurement error of the fuel assembly dimension. There was concern about the effects.

  Furthermore, when a position information measuring device using an encoder is used, BCD (Binary Coded Decimal) signal output from the position information measuring device is converted into a video signal by a video counter, and appearance information photographed by an underwater television camera When recording is performed by superimposing on (video signal), the position information is captured as image information. Therefore, a comparatively large-scale process is required to perform arithmetic processing such as dimension measurement using the information.

  Further, when the appearance image is confirmed by reproducing the recording medium, the position information is always displayed in the image. However, when the appearance image is slightly fed and observed in a stationary state, the monitor television is used. There is a drawback that the position information displayed on the screen is blurred.

  On the other hand, an ordinary commercially available video information recording medium has a voice recording area so that voice information can be recorded in synchronization with the video information, but this voice recording area has not been utilized in the conventional fuel assembly inspection.

  A first object of the present invention is to provide a fuel assembly inspection apparatus that can reduce the labor burden on an operator.

  The second object of the present invention is to reduce the inspection work time by simultaneously performing the visual inspection together with the apparatus used for the normal visual inspection of the fuel assembly, and to save the manual recording work of the height position information. The purpose is to suppress human errors in dimensional inspection.

  In order to achieve the first object, the first invention is a mounting means for mounting a fuel assembly of a nuclear reactor so as to be movable up and down or swivel, and a predetermined portion of the fuel assembly mounted on the mounting means. A photographing means for photographing the image, a photometric means for measuring the brightness of a plurality of areas in the image based on a video signal by the photographing means, and a measurement signal for each of the plurality of areas based on a measurement signal of the photometric means. A determination unit that determines a mounting state of the fuel assembly according to a relative change in brightness, and a shooting control unit that variably controls a shooting region of the shooting unit according to a determination result of the determination unit. It is characterized by having.

  For example, when a fuel assembly is mounted on a mounting means installed in a spent fuel pool and is moved up and down in water to photograph an external appearance image in the axial direction, the photometry means uses an axis along the appearance of the fuel assembly. A plurality of area images (for example, a pool wall surface area and a fuel assembly outer surface area in the vicinity thereof) are set in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction (left and right direction), and the brightness of each area is measured. In this case, in a normal state, the pool wall surface side is relatively bright and the fuel assembly side is relatively dark. After that, when the entire imaging region is shifted to the pool wall surface side (or the fuel assembly center side) when the fuel assembly moves up and down due to the inclination of the mounted fuel assembly, the two regions are displayed on the pool wall surface side image ( (Or the fuel assembly side image), there is no difference in brightness between the two, and the brightness is substantially the same. This is determined by the determining means, and in response to this, the imaging control means drives and controls the imaging means so that the imaging area is in the original light / dark pattern relationship, for example, by shifting the imaging direction in a direction perpendicular to the axis.

  In this way, the photographing area can be automatically corrected even if the photographing area by the photographing means tends to shift in the direction perpendicular to the axis (left-right direction). Therefore, it is not necessary to stop the observation and perform the camera position adjustment work as in the prior art, so that the operator can concentrate on the operation of the FPM and the monitor screen without worrying about the positional deviation in the left-right direction, and the labor load is increased. Can be reduced. In addition, since the observation is not interrupted, work efficiency can be greatly improved.

In a second aspect based on the first aspect, the photometric means sets a plurality of regions including one region and another region in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction along the appearance of the fuel assembly, The brightness of each region is measured individually.
In a third aspect based on the second aspect, the determining means is configured to cause the photometric means to change the one area from a state where the one area is relatively bright and the other area is relatively dark. And the other area are measured to have substantially the same brightness, it is determined that the photographing area needs to be corrected by the photographing means, and a photographing area correction command signal is output, and the photographing control means In response to the imaging region correction command signal, the photometry unit performs imaging so that the original state is measured so that the one area is relatively bright and the other area is relatively dark. It is characterized by controlling the direction of driving.

  In order to achieve the first object, a fourth invention provides a mounting means for mounting a fuel assembly of a nuclear reactor in a vertically movable or swiveling manner, and a predetermined fuel assembly mounted on the mounting means. An imaging means for taking an image of a part, a photometric means for measuring the brightness of a plurality of areas in the video based on a video signal by the imaging means, and a plurality of areas based on a measurement signal of the photometric means According to the relative brightness change, a determination means for determining the mounting state of the fuel assembly, a display means for displaying an image by the photographing means, and a display means according to the determination result of the determination means. Character information adding means for adding character information relating to the mounting state of the fuel assembly to the video displayed on the screen.

  For example, when a fuel assembly is mounted on a mounting means installed in a spent fuel pool and is moved up and down in water to photograph an external appearance image in the axial direction, the photometry means uses an axis along the appearance of the fuel assembly. A plurality of region images (for example, three regions of an upper region, an intermediate region, and a lower region) are set in the direction (up and down direction), and the brightness of each region is measured. In this case, in a state in which the photographing unit is substantially facing the spacer, the intermediate region is relatively bright and the upper region and the lower region are relatively dark.

  After that, when the fuel assembly is moved downward (or upward, the same in the parenthesis, the same relationship in parentheses below), the spacer moves downward (or upward) with respect to the field of view, so that the lower region (or upper region) is When the upper region (or lower region) and the middle region become relatively bright and relatively dark, and further move downward (or upward), the spacer leaves the field of view and all three regions become relatively dark so that they are substantially the same. Same brightness.

  When the fuel assembly further moves downward (or upward) and the next spacer enters the field of view, the upper area facing the spacer is first relatively brighter, and the middle area and lower area remain relatively dark. When a difference in brightness occurs between the region and the region further moves downward, the intermediate region is relatively brighter facing the spacer, and the upper and lower regions are relatively darker.

  In the present invention, for example, the determination means recognizes the presence of the spacer and determines that the spacer has moved to the next spacer position based on the change of the light / dark pattern including the light → dark → light in the intermediate region, and accordingly, For example, the character information adding means changes the spacer number to an adjacent number and adds it to the image on the display means. In this way, for example, if the operator properly performs the character input of the spacer number (= initial input) when the intermediate region is first opposed to the spacer, the height of the fuel assembly is the rest. Even if the direction position changes, the spacer number is automatically switched and displayed on the display means. Therefore, the operator does not have to keep monitoring the monitor screen from the beginning to the end while moving the fuel assembly up and down as in the prior art. Moreover, it is not necessary to look from the pool side, and the labor burden can be greatly reduced.

  Further, for example, when the fuel assembly is mounted on the mounting means installed in the spent fuel pool and swung in water to sequentially capture the appearance images of the four surfaces, the photometry means follows the appearance of the fuel assembly. A plurality of area images (for example, a right half area and a left half area with the axis center as a boundary) are set in a direction perpendicular to the axis (circumferential direction), and the brightness of each area is measured. In this case, in the state where the spacer of the fuel assembly is almost facing the imaging means, both the right half region and the left half region reflect light well and are relatively bright, and both have the same brightness.

  After this, when the fuel assembly is swung to one side in the circumferential direction, the light reflected better and relatively brighter when the angle is shallower toward the photographing means. When rotating to the same internal relationship, the right half area (or left half area) is relatively bright at the beginning of turning and the left half area (or right half area) is relatively dark, and further to the right (or left) When the edge portion is in the middle of the field of view, the angle to the photographing means is substantially equal in both the right half area and the left half area, and both areas have substantially the same brightness.

  When the fuel assembly further rotates to the right (or left), the left half area (or right half area) becomes relatively brighter and the right half area (or left half area) becomes relatively darker. When the right side (or left side) is rotated and the next surface faces the photographing means, the right half area and the left half area are relatively bright and the difference in brightness between the two is almost eliminated.

  In the present invention, for example, the determination means recognizes the turning state of the fuel assembly by the change in the light / dark pattern such as the same left / right half region → dark / light → same → light / dark → same, In response to this, for example, the character information adding means changes the face number to an adjacent number and adds it to the video on the display means. In this way, for example, when the operator properly performs even the character input (= initial input) of the surface number when the spacer is first opposed to the photographing means, the fuel assembly turns after that. Thus, even if the face directly facing changes, the face number is automatically switched and displayed on the display means. Therefore, the operator does not need to keep monitoring the monitor screen from the beginning to the end while turning the fuel assembly as in the prior art. Moreover, it is not necessary to look from the pool side, and the labor burden can be greatly reduced.

  In a fifth aspect based on the fourth aspect, the photometric means sets at least three regions including an upper region, an intermediate region, and a lower region in the axial direction along the appearance of the fuel assembly, The brightness of each region is measured individually.

  In a sixth aspect based on the fifth aspect, the determining means has measured that the intermediate area is relatively brighter than the upper area and the lower area by the photometric means. In this case, it is determined that the intermediate region is a fuel spacer provided in the fuel assembly, and a spacer display command signal is output, and the character information adding means responds to the spacer display command signal to the display means. Character information related to the spacer is added to the displayed video.

  In a seventh aspect based on the fourth aspect, the photometric means sets a plurality of regions including one region and another region in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction along the appearance of the fuel assembly, The brightness of each region is measured individually.

  In an eighth aspect based on the seventh aspect, the determination means is configured to cause the light metering means to change the one area from a state where the one area is relatively bright and the other area is relatively dark. And when the other area becomes relatively bright after the one area is relatively dark and the other area is relatively bright. It is determined that the fuel assembly mounted on the means has been turned and outputs a photographing surface switching command signal, and the character information adding means displays the image displayed on the display means in response to the photographing surface switching command signal. Character information related to the imaging surface to be added to is changed.

  In order to achieve the first object, the ninth aspect of the invention includes a mounting means for mounting a fuel assembly of a nuclear reactor so that the fuel assembly can be moved up and down or swiveled, and the fuel assembly mounted on the mounting means or the fuel assembly. Detection means for detecting the brightness at a plurality of locations in the surrounding area, and the mounting state of the fuel assembly in the mounting means according to a change in the relative light / dark pattern at the plurality of locations based on the detection signal of the detection means And determining means for outputting a corresponding determination signal.

  In order to achieve the second object, a tenth aspect of the invention is a television camera that takes a picture of a fuel assembly and outputs a video signal, and a moving device that changes a relative positional relationship between the fuel assembly and the television camera. A position information collecting device that collects position information representing a relative positional relationship between the fuel assembly and a television camera, and a first signal converter that converts the position information collected by the position information collecting device into an audio equivalent signal; And a video recording apparatus that records the video signal and the audio equivalent signal on the same recording medium in synchronization with each other.

  In an eleventh aspect based on the tenth aspect, the first signal converter distributes the position information to counter information and audio equivalent signal information and has a signal on / off function, and the counter A video counter for converting information into a video signal, and further comprising means for superimposing the position information converted into the video signal on a video signal output from the video recording apparatus and outputting the video signal to a monitor television. It is characterized by.

  In order to achieve the second object, a twelfth aspect of the present invention is a video signal obtained by photographing a fuel assembly by changing the relative positional relationship between the fuel assembly and a television camera to a plurality of positions, and the fuel assembly. A position information signal in the form of a video signal that can be superimposed on video information by reading out the sound corresponding signal from the recording medium recorded on the same recording medium in synchronization with the sound corresponding signal representing the relative positional relationship between the TV camera and the television camera. , A signal distributor that distributes to BCD-type position information signal for calculation, control and display; calculation of fuel assembly dimensions based on the BCD-type position information signal; position reset A calculation processing unit that performs at least a part of the position search control, a memory processing unit that records the position information output from the calculation processing unit, and a zero that arbitrarily resets the position information. Switching between a reset unit, a search switch for searching for position information, a counter for displaying the position information converted into a video signal on the monitor TV, and whether the position information is displayed on the monitor TV or not. A video signal output from the signal converter and superimposed on the captured video signal to display video information and position information on a monitor TV screen. And displaying the calculation result of fuel assembly dimension measurement.

  A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the video signal according to the tenth or eleventh aspect of the present invention, in which the audio equivalent signal is read from the recording medium in which the video signal and the audio equivalent signal are recorded on the same recording medium, and can be superimposed on video information. A signal distributor for distributing two signals, a position information signal in a format and a position information signal in a BCD format for performing calculation, control and display; and based on the position information signal in the BCD format, An arithmetic processing unit that performs at least a part of dimension calculation, position reset, and position search control, a memory processing unit that records position information output from the arithmetic processing unit, and arbitrarily resets the position information to zero A zero reset unit, a search switch for searching for position information, a counter for displaying the position information converted into a video signal on a monitor TV, and a monitor TV A second signal converter having a display on / off switching unit for switching between displaying and hiding position information on the video signal, and outputting a video signal output from the second signal converter to the video recording The video information and the position information are displayed on the monitor TV screen superimposed on the video signal output from the apparatus, and the calculation processing result of the fuel assembly dimension measurement is displayed. .

  In order to achieve the second object, a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is a method of changing the relative positional relationship between the fuel assembly and a television camera, and photographing the fuel assembly before and after changing the relative positional relationship. A step of collecting a video signal, a step of collecting positional information representing the relative positional relationship between the fuel assembly and the TV camera before and after changing the relative positional relationship, and converting the collected positional information into an audio equivalent signal. A step of synchronizing and recording the video signal and the audio equivalent signal on the same recording medium, a step of distributing the recorded position information into counter information and an audio equivalent signal, and the counter information as a video signal Converting to the video signal, superimposing the position information converted into the video signal on the video signal recorded on the recording medium and displaying it on the monitor television, and displaying on the monitor television And having the steps of measuring the dimensions of a fuel assembly, and on the basis of the information.

  According to the first to ninth aspects of the present invention, the photographing area can be automatically corrected even if the photographing area by the photographing means is shifted in the direction perpendicular to the axis (left and right direction). Therefore, it is not necessary to stop the observation and perform the camera position adjustment work as in the prior art, so that the operator can concentrate on the operation of the FPM and the monitor screen without worrying about the positional deviation in the left-right direction, and the labor load is increased. Can be reduced. Further, since the observation interruption is eliminated, the observer can concentrate on the observation, and the work efficiency can be greatly improved. As a result, the reliability of the appearance inspection can be improved.

  In addition, the spacer number and the surface number are automatically switched and displayed on the display means even if the height position of the fuel assembly or the surface facing the fuel assembly changes. Therefore, it is not necessary for the operator to continue to monitor the monitor screen from the beginning to the end while the fuel assembly is moved up and down or turned as in the prior art. Moreover, it is not necessary to look from the pool side, and the labor burden can be greatly reduced. As a result, there is an effect that the reliability of the appearance inspection can be improved.

  According to the invention described in claims 10 to 14, in the fuel assembly inspection apparatus and the inspection method for the purpose of confirming the integrity or irradiation behavior of the fuel assembly, the appearance inspection and the dimensional inspection are simultaneously performed. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the fuel assembly inspection work time, and hence the inspection cost, and contribute to the improvement of the efficiency and the economic efficiency of the fuel assembly inspection work.

  Further, in the conventional dimension measurement, the procedure for recording directly on the recording sheet at the inspection site and tabulating at a later date was taken, but by using the fuel assembly inspection device of the present invention, the appearance image information and its observation The height position information indicating the position can be recorded on the same medium at the same time, and the dimension can be measured based on the information. As a result, it is possible to improve the measurement accuracy, and to suppress human errors such as an error in reading a dimensional value in the field, a recording error, or an input error in an inspection record to a personal computer.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The present embodiment is an embodiment related to the inspection of a boiling water nuclear reactor fuel assembly applied to a boiling water nuclear power plant.

  FIG. 1 is a side view showing an overall schematic configuration of an inspection apparatus for a fuel assembly according to the present embodiment and a state in which inspection is performed using the inspection apparatus.

  In FIG. 1, a fuel channel attaching / detaching machine 2 (hereinafter referred to as FPM) is installed on a wall surface 1 of a fuel pool P filled with cooling water, and a channel box (not shown) is provided on a movable base 2a provided in the FPM 2. A fuel assembly 3 (hereinafter simply referred to as fuel assembly 3) is mounted. In the fuel pool P, the FPM 2 can perform attachment / detachment of the channel box, turning of the fuel assembly with the channel box removed, and ascending / descending along the guide rail 2b.

  An underwater color television camera device 4 is suspended from the water of the fuel pool P via an operation pole 5. The camera device 4 includes an airtight container 4a directed to the surface of the fuel assembly 3, a color television camera (described later) housed in the container 4a, and a photometer (not shown) incorporated in the camera. And a position control drive device (described later). In addition, a plurality of underwater illumination tools 7 are provided beside the front surface of the camera device 4.

A control device 8 that controls the underwater color television camera device 4 is installed on the fuel pool 4. The control device 8 includes a monitor screen unit 8a, a video recording unit 8b, a camera / lens control unit 8d, an underwater illumination control unit 8e, a position control unit 8f for controlling the position control driving device, and a photometry control unit for controlling the photometer. 8g is stored and arranged. The character information input control unit 8c is not necessarily required in this embodiment, and may be omitted (see second and third embodiments described later).
FIGS. 2A and 2B are a cross-sectional view and a vertical cross-sectional view, respectively, showing the internal structure of the underwater color television camera device 4.

  2 (a) and 2 (b), the container 4a of the underwater color television camera device 4 includes a window 51 made of a transparent material on the front surface. Further, a color television camera 53 having a zoom lens 52 and a position control drive device 54 for the color television camera 53 are disposed in the container 4a. As described above, the color television camera 53 includes a photometer.

  The position control drive device 54 includes a moving table 55 on which the color television camera 53 is placed and a horizontal moving mechanism 56 of the moving table 55. The horizontal moving mechanism 56 is provided in front of the bracket 61 on the bottom surface of the moving table 55, the bracket 61 with the inner screw attached to the bottom surface of the moving table 55, the feed screw 62 that meshes with the inner screw of the bracket 61. Brackets 63 and 64 with guide holes, guide rails 65 and 66 inserted through the guide holes of the brackets 63 and 64, a motor 67, and bevel gear mechanisms 68 and 69 for transmitting the rotation of the motor 67 to the feed screw 62 It has. When the motor 67 is driven based on a signal from the position control unit 8f, the rotation is transmitted to the feed screw 62 through the bevel gear mechanisms 68 and 69, and the feed screw 62 rotates and rides on the movable table 55. The color television camera 53 is moved left and right (up and down in FIG. 2A).

  In addition to the above, there are various types of structures of the position control drive device 54 such as a method using a turntable, and the position control drive device 54 of the present invention is not limited to the illustrated example.

  Next, an example of an appearance inspection procedure using the inspection apparatus of the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by the photometric control unit 8g, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the fuel assembly 3 displayed on the monitor screen unit 8a during the appearance inspection.

  Prior to the start of the appearance inspection by the image of the monitor screen portion 8a, first, as shown in FIG. 1, after the fuel assembly 3 with the channel box (not shown) removed is mounted on the movable base 2a of the FPM 2, The position control drive device 54 is driven by operating and inputting appropriate operation means, and the camera device 4 is adjusted and disposed so as to face the vicinity of the upper end portion of the fuel assembly 3, for example. FIG. 4A shows a monitor image at this time, and the fuel assembly 3 is adjusted so as to be in the left and right center position of the monitor screen portion 8a.

  Thus, the flow of FIG. 3 is started. First, in step 10, the photometric control unit 8g uses the boundary line located on the left side of the screen of the fuel assembly 3 and the background 9 (in other words, the left end of the fuel assembly 3 and A photometric range A and a photometric range B are set to the left and right of the boundary with the background.

  Then, after inputting the measurement signal of the photometer in Step 20, in Step 30, whether there is a difference in brightness between these photometric ranges A and B (that is, one side is relatively bright and the other side is relatively dark). Whether or not). That is, in the face-to-face and axial center coincidence state shown in FIG. 4 (a), the background 9 of the monitor screen portion 8a is the pool wall surface 1a and has a metallic luster, whereas the fuel assembly 3 is made of metal but is clad. Appears darker than background 9. Therefore, the photometric range A is relatively bright (hereinafter simply “bright”), and the photometric range B is relatively dark (hereinafter simply “dark”) (in other words, the photometric range A is relatively brighter than the photometric range B). . Therefore, the determination in step 30 is satisfied and the appearance inspection is started. If there is no difference in brightness between the photometric ranges A and B, it is determined that the setup (preparation) is inappropriate, and the process is repeated from the beginning (setting of the photometric range).

  When the appearance inspection is started, the routine proceeds to step 40 where the FPM 2 is operated to raise or lower the fuel assembly 3 in order to perform the appearance inspection over substantially the entire axial length of the fuel assembly 3. At this time, because of the structure of the FPM 2 and the fuel assembly 3 itself, the fuel assembly, which is usually about 4.4 m long, is very rarely mounted vertically on the FPM. As a result of being mounted in an inclined state, as the fuel assembly 3 moves up and down, the image of the fuel assembly 3 displayed on the monitor screen portion 8a comes to either the left or right of the screen (the fuel assembly 3 In many cases, the center in the left-right direction is shifted from the center in the left-right direction of the monitor screen portion 8a).

  As an example, FIG. 4B shows a case where the fuel assembly 3 has shifted to the right on the monitor screen portion 8a. In this case, as a result of the fuel assembly 3 being shifted to the right as described above, not only the photometric range A but also the photometric range B enters the background 9, so that the photometric ranges A and B are both “bright” and have a relative brightness. The difference is almost eliminated. As a result, when the photometry control unit 8g performs the detection process after inputting the photometry signal of the photometer in step 40 of FIG. 3, the determination of the change in brightness in step 50 is satisfied (from “dark” to “bright in the photometry range B”). ”), Go to step 60.

  In step 60, it is determined whether or not the content of the light / dark change is “dark” → “light”. In the above example of the photometric range, since this changes from “dark” to “bright”, this determination is satisfied and the routine goes to Step 70.

  In step 70, a control signal (command signal) is sent from the photometry control unit 8g so as to reverse the change of “dark” → “bright”, that is, “bright” → “dark”. Output to 8f. Specifically, in the above example, since the change has occurred because the photometric range B is shifted from the fuel assembly 3 side to the background 9 side, this is returned from the background 9 side to the fuel assembly 3 side again. That is, a signal is output so that the fuel assembly 3 returns to the left and right center side of the monitor screen portion 8a (in the example of FIG. 4B, the camera field of view is slightly moved to the right side). The position control unit 8f receives this signal and outputs a drive control signal to the position control drive device 54. The position control drive device 54 slightly changes the shooting direction of the underwater color television camera device 4 (see FIG. 4B). In the example, pan to the right) and change so that the photometric range A remains “bright” and the photometric range B becomes “dark”. After completion of the control procedure in step 70, it is determined in step 90 whether or not the appearance inspection has been completed. If the appearance inspection has not been completed, the process proceeds to step 40 and the above procedure is repeated to perform the appearance inspection. Will continue.

  On the other hand, if the fuel assembly 3 is tilted in the opposite direction and is shifted to the right in the monitor screen portion 8a, the photometric range A enters the fuel assembly 3 side and both the photometric ranges A and B are “dark”. The relative brightness difference is almost eliminated. In this case, since the photometric range A changes from “bright” to “dark”, the determination of step 60 is not satisfied through step 40 and step 50 of FIG. In step 80, the control signal (command signal) is sent from the photometry control unit 8g so as to reverse the change of “bright” → “dark”, that is, “dark” → “bright”. Output to 8f. Specifically, in this case, since the above-mentioned change occurs because the photometric range A moves from the background 9 side to the fuel assembly 3 side, this is returned to the background 9 side, that is, the camera field of view is changed. A control signal is output to the position control unit 8f so as to slightly move to the left side, and further, a drive control signal corresponding to the position control drive device 54 is output, and the shooting direction of the camera device 4 is panned to the left side. After the completion of the control procedure in step 80, it is determined in step 90 whether the appearance inspection has been completed. If the appearance inspection has not been completed, the process proceeds to step 40, and the above procedure is repeated to perform the appearance inspection. Will continue.

  As described above, according to the fuel assembly inspection apparatus of the present embodiment, the imaging region (imaging field of view) of the camera assembly 4 moves up and down of the fuel assembly 3 due to the mounting inclination angle of the fuel assembly 3. Even if the image is shifted in the left-right direction, the photographing area is automatically corrected, and the shift does not always occur from the left-right center of the monitor screen portion 8a. Therefore, since it is not necessary to stop the observation and perform the camera position adjustment work as in the prior art, the operator can concentrate on the operation of the FPM 2 and the monitor screen unit 8a without worrying about the positional deviation in the left-right direction. Can be greatly reduced. In addition, since the observation is not interrupted, work efficiency can be greatly improved.

  In the first embodiment, the photometric ranges A and B are set in the vicinity of the boundary between the left end of the fuel assembly 3 and the background. However, the present invention is not limited to this and may be set in the vicinity of the boundary between the right end and the background. Good. Further, the left side (background side) of the boundary between the left end of the fuel assembly 3 and the background, the right side (background side) of the boundary between the right end of the fuel assembly 3 and the background, and the boundary between the left end of the fuel assembly 3 and the background. It may be set on the right side (fuel assembly side) and the right side (fuel assembly side) of the boundary between the right end of the fuel assembly 3 and the background. However, since the photometric ranges A and B in this case are the same on the background side and the background side or on the fuel assembly side and the fuel assembly side, the brightness is almost the same. Therefore, the step 30 shown in FIG. It will be judged whether or not. The determination in step 50 also determines whether the brightness has changed from “bright”, “bright”, “dark”, “dark”, etc., to “bright”, “dark”, etc., in steps 70 and 80. A control signal is output so as to restore the original state from the change. In addition, the number of setting ranges is not limited to two, and three or more photometric ranges are set, and deviation is determined according to the “brightness” and “darkness” of each range by applying the idea of deviation identification based on the brightness pattern described above. You may make it do. In the above, the camera device 4 is first set near the upper end and the fuel assembly 3 is raised by the FPM 2. Conversely, the camera device 4 is set near the lower end and the fuel assembly 3 is lowered. Alternatively, the fuel assembly 3 may be raised and lowered by setting the camera device 4 at an intermediate portion. Further, the camera assembly 4 side may be moved up and down without moving the fuel assembly 3 side. In these cases, the same effect is obtained.

  A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6A to 6F. The present embodiment is an embodiment in which character information representing the height direction is automatically switched according to a change in the axial brightness pattern of the fuel assembly. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  Since the inspection apparatus used in the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In this embodiment, the character information input control unit 8c displays the number of the fuel assembly 3 to be inspected, the date of inspection, and the abbreviation of the height position information displayed on the fuel assembly screen. 8a is additionally displayed as character information.

  This character information is the height position information of the fuel assembly 3 such that the number of the spacer 3a is SP1, SP2,... Sequentially from the bottom of the fuel assembly 3, the upper tie plate 3c is UTP, and the lower tie plate 3d is The fuel assembly height position between the spacer 3a and the spacer 3a is referred to as “lower spacer number−upper spacer number” (for example, the fuel rod position between SP1 and SP2 is “SP1-SP2”, LTP, The fuel rod position between SP1 is represented by “LTP-SP1”).

  Next, an example of an appearance inspection procedure using the inspection apparatus of the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by the photometric control unit 8g, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the fuel assembly 3 displayed on the monitor screen unit 8a at the time of inspection.

  Similar to the first embodiment, first, the camera device 4 is adjusted and disposed so as to face the lowermost spacer 3aa (or the upper spacer) of the fuel assembly 3, for example. FIG. 6A shows a monitor image at this time.

  In this way, the flow of FIG. 5 is started. First, in step 101, the photometric control unit 8g straddles the spacer 3aa and measures the photometric range C (above the spacer) in the axial direction of the fuel assembly 3 upward, middle, and downward. A photometric range D (spacer position) and a photometric range E (below the spacer) are set.

  Thereafter, after inputting the measurement signal of the photometer in step 102, in step 103, the photometric ranges C, D, E are respectively “dark”, “bright”, and “dark” (that is, at the position of the photometric range D). It is determined whether or not the spacer 3a is correctly positioned. That is, in the facing state shown in FIG. 6 (a), the spacer 3a, the upper tie plate 3c or the lower tie plate 3d is substantially flat, and the fuel rod 3b is a curved surface. Is dark. Therefore, the photometric range D is “bright”, and the photometric ranges C and E are “dark” (in other words, the photometric ranges C and E are relatively brighter than the photometric range D). Therefore, the determination at step 103 is satisfied, and the routine goes to step 104.

  In step 104, it is determined whether or not the number of the spacer 3aa for defining the initial position (for example, “SPn” where n is an integer) is input by the operator. This determination is satisfied when the operator inputs the number, and the spacer number is displayed as character information on the monitor screen unit 8a in step 105 (specifically, a corresponding display instruction signal is displayed on the character information input control unit 8c). Then, the character information input control unit 8c outputs a display signal corresponding to the character information input control unit 8c to the monitor screen unit 8a for display (the same applies hereinafter). The specific character information display here is “SP1” because the lowermost spacer is shown. Then, an appearance inspection is started.

  In this state, the FPM 2 is operated to lower the fuel assembly 3 in order to perform an appearance inspection (observation) over substantially the entire axial length of the fuel assembly 3. FIG. 6B shows a case where the fuel assembly 3 is slightly lowered on the monitor screen portion 8a as an example of a state immediately after the start. In this case, if the photometric control unit 8g performs detection processing after inputting a photometer measurement signal in step 106, the light / dark pattern changes as a result of the fuel assembly 3 being shifted downward.

  In step 108, it is determined whether the photometric ranges C, D, and E are “dark”, “dark”, and “bright”, respectively, but in FIG. 6B, the position of the fuel assembly 3 is shifted downward and the photometric range. As a result of the spacer 3a being positioned at the position E, the photometry ranges C, D, and E are “dark”, “dark”, and “bright”, respectively, so this determination is satisfied, and the routine proceeds to step 109.

  When the fuel assembly 3 is further lowered for observation, the state shown in FIG. 6 (c) is obtained. When the photometry control unit 8g performs detection processing after inputting the measurement signal of the photometer in step 109, the photometry range C , D, and E are “dark”, “dark”, and “dark” (in other words, all photometric ranges are “dark”), and the determination in step 110 (whether the screen field of view is between the spacers) is satisfied. Then, the process proceeds to step 111. In step 111, in response to the above determination being satisfied, the number “SPn” of the spacer 3aa and the spacer number of the spacer 3ab adjacent above the spacer 3aa (for example, “SPn + 1” according to the above example). ) And the spacer number “SPn−Spn + 1” indicating that the position in the height direction between the two spacers 3aa and 3ab is observed is displayed on the monitor screen portion 8a as character information. Therefore, the character information here is displayed as “SP1-SP2”.

  Thereafter, when the fuel assembly 3 is continuously lowered for observation, the state shown in FIG. 6 (d) is obtained, and when the photometry control unit 8g performs detection processing after inputting the measurement signal of the photometer in step 112, the photometry range is obtained. C, D, and E are “bright”, “dark”, and “dark” (in other words, only the photometric range C is “bright”), and the determination in step 113 (whether or not a spacer appears from above in the screen field of view) is satisfied. , Go to step 114. In step 114, 1 is added to n (replaced by n = n + 1) in response to the above determination being satisfied, and the routine goes to step 115. In step 115, the spacer number “SPn” of the appearing spacer 3ab is displayed on the monitor screen portion 8a as character information (“SP2”).

  When the fuel assembly 3 is further lowered, the state shown in FIG. 6 (d) is changed to the state shown in FIGS. 6 (e), 6 (f), and 6 (c), and only the fuel rods are displayed. Become. The photometric ranges C, D, and E are respectively “bright”, “dark”, and “dark” (state of FIG. 6D) to “dark” “light” “dark” (state of FIG. 6E), “dark”. “Dark” “Bright” (state of FIG. 6F), “Dark” “Dark” “Dark” (state of FIG. 6C).

  Up to this point (from the state where “SP2” is displayed on the monitor screen portion 8a in the above step 115 (the photometric ranges C, D, E are “bright”, “dark”, “dark” (the state shown in FIG. 6D)). FIG. 6C shows “dark”, “dark”, and “dark” states) in the flow of FIG.

  Since the appearance inspection is continued from step 115, the process returns to step 106, the measurement signal is input, and the process proceeds to step 108. Since the photometric range is “bright” “dark” “dark” (state of FIG. 6D) as described above, step 108 is not satisfied and the routine proceeds to step 108-2, where it is satisfied and the routine proceeds to step 118. . In step 118, a measurement signal is input. However, since the photometry range is “bright”, “dark”, and “dark” as described above, both steps 119 and 119-2 are not satisfied. It becomes a loop.

  After the fuel assembly 3 is lowered and the photometric ranges C, D, and E become “dark”, “light”, and “dark” (the state shown in FIG. 6E), “dark”, “dark”, “light” ( In the state of FIG. 6F, step 119-2 is satisfied and the routine goes to step 109. During this time, the spacer number “SPn” remains displayed (“SP2”) as character information on the monitor screen 8a.

  Thereafter, when the fuel assembly 3 is continuously lowered, the state becomes the same as that shown in FIG. As a result, when the photometry control unit 8g performs detection processing after inputting the measurement signal of the photometer in step 109, all the photometry ranges C, D, and E become “dark”, and the determination in step 110 is satisfied, and step 111 is satisfied. Then, using the spacer number “SPn” of the spacer 3ab and the spacer number (“SPn + 1”) further above the spacer 3ab, “SPn−Spn + 1” is displayed on the monitor screen section 8a as character information (“ SP2-SP3 ")).

  Thereafter, the same procedure as step 106 to step 115 is repeated, and when the next spacer appears in the field of view of the monitor screen from above and the photometric range C becomes “bright”, the number of the spacer is displayed and the spacer is monitored. When all the photometric ranges D, E, and F become “dark” after leaving the field of view of the screen, a display indicating that it is between the next numbers is performed.

  The case where the lowering of the fuel assembly 3 is changed to the rising in the state where the display of the monitor screen portion 8a is “SP2-SP3” in step 111 will be described.

  As the fuel assembly 3 is raised, the spacer 3ab is visible on the lower side of the monitor screen as shown in FIG. 6 (f). The step shifts from step 111 to step 112, the measurement signal is input, and the photometric ranges C, D, and E become “dark”, “dark”, and “bright”, respectively. Therefore, step 113 is not satisfied, and the flow proceeds to step 113-2. Here, step 113 is satisfied and the routine proceeds from step 114 to step 115, where the spacer number (SPn; specifically, “SP2”) is displayed (until the spacer 3ab is visible on the lower side of the monitor screen). Since all the photometric ranges C, D, and E are “dark”, the steps 113 and 113-2 are not satisfied, so that the display of the character information remains “SP2-SP3”, and the step returns to 112. ).

Further, a case will be described in which the rising of the fuel assembly 3 is switched again to the lowering from the state where “SP2” (step is 115) is displayed on the monitor screen portion 8a.
Since the appearance inspection is continued, the process proceeds to step 106, the measurement signal is input, and the process proceeds to step 108. Since the position of the fuel body here is in a state where the spacer 3ab is on the lower side of the monitor screen as shown in FIG. 6 (f), the photometric ranges C, D and E remain “dark”, “dark” and “light”, respectively. Therefore, Step 108 is satisfied and the routine goes to Step 109. When the fuel assembly 3 is lowered, a monitor screen as shown in FIG. 6C is displayed, and the photometric ranges C, D, and E become “dark”, “dark”, and “dark”, respectively. At step 109, the measurement signal is input at 109, and the process proceeds to step 110 and is satisfied, so the process proceeds to step 111 (until step 110 is satisfied, a loop of step 109 and step 110 is performed through step 110-2, and the monitor screen unit 8a “SP2” is still displayed.) In step 111, the number “SPn” (SP2) of the spacer 3ab and the spacer number (“SPn + 1” (SP3)) further above the spacer 3ab are used and “SPn−Spn + 1” is used as character information. It is displayed on the monitor screen portion 8a (specifically, “SP2-SP3”). When the fuel assembly 3 is continuously lowered, the monitor screen is displayed by repeating the same procedure as the above-described step 106 to step 115.

  In the above, as a scene where the lowering of the fuel assembly 3 is changed to the rising, the display on the monitor screen 8a is changed from the state shown in FIG. 6C in step 111, but from any other state. You may change it. The flow of the flow of FIG. 5 will be described below in the case where the lowering of the fuel assembly 3 is changed to the rising from the respective states of FIGS. 6 (d), 6 (f), and 6 (e).

<Changing the descent of the fuel assembly 3 to the rise from FIG. 6D>
Spacer at the top of the screen (light, dark, dark)
Step 115-> visual inspection not completed-> step 106-> step 108-> step 108-2 (YES)-> step 118. Next, a loop of Step 118 → Step 119 → Step 119-2 → Step 118. When the spacer leaves the screen (dark, dark, dark), step 119 (YES) → step 120.

<When changing the descent of the fuel assembly 3 to the rise from FIG. 6 (f)>
Spacer at the bottom of the screen (dark, dark, light)
Step 109 → Step 110 → Step 110-2 → Step 109 loop. When the spacer moves from the center of the screen (FIG. 6 (e); dark, bright, dark) to the top of the screen (FIG. 6 (d); bright, dark, dark), step 110-2 (YES) → step 118. Next, a loop of Step 118 → Step 119 → Step 119-2 → Step 118. When the spacer leaves the screen (dark, dark, dark), step 119 (YES) → step 120.

<Changing the descent of the fuel assembly 3 to the rise from FIG. 6 (e)>
Spacer in the center of the screen (dark, light, dark)
A loop of step 115 → appearance inspection incomplete → step 106 → step 108 → step 108-2 → step 106. When the spacer moves to the upper part of the screen (FIG. 6D; bright, dark, dark), step 108-2 (YES) → step 118. Next, a loop of Step 118 → Step 119 → Step 119-2 → Step 118. When the spacer leaves the screen (dark, dark, dark), step 119 (YES) → step 120.

  As described above, according to the fuel assembly inspection apparatus of this embodiment, for example, when the photometric range D is first opposed to the spacer 3a, the character input of the spacer number (= “SPn” in the above example) As long as the operator has done it properly, the spacer number is automatically switched and displayed on the monitor screen portion 8a even if the height position of the fuel assembly 3 changes (the monitor screen portion). The height display of the fuel assembly 3 to 8a can always be displayed correctly). Therefore, it is not necessary for the operator to continuously monitor the monitor screen portion 8a from the beginning to the end while moving the fuel assembly 3 up and down as in the prior art. Moreover, it is not necessary to look from the pool side, and the labor burden can be greatly reduced.

In the second embodiment, the camera device 4 is first opposed to the lowermost spacer 3aa, and the fuel assembly 3 is moved downward for observation. May be faced to the uppermost spacer 3aa (the display of specific character information on the monitor screen here is “SP7”) and the fuel assembly 3 may be moved upward for observation. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, step 108 and subsequent steps in the above flow are different.
That is, as a result of the fuel assembly 3 being displaced upward (state shown in FIG. 6D), the photometric ranges C, D, and E become “bright”, “dark”, and “dark”. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step 108-2, where the determination is satisfied and the process proceeds to step 118.

  Thereafter, when the fuel assembly 3 is continuously raised for observation, the spacer 3a moves away from the field of view of the monitor screen (the state shown in FIG. 6 (c)). After the measurement signal of the photometer is input in step 118, photometry is performed. When the detection process is performed by the control unit 8g, the photometric ranges C, D, and E become “dark”, “dark”, and “dark”, respectively, and the determination in step 119 is satisfied, and the process proceeds to step 120. In step 120, the number “SPn” of the spacer 3aa and the spacer number of the spacer 3az (not shown) adjacent below the spacer 3aa (for example, “SPn-1”) correspond to the above determination being satisfied. Is used to display the inter-spacer number “SPn-1-Spn” as character information on the monitor screen portion 8a (“SP6-SP7”).

  Thereafter, when the fuel assembly 3 is continuously raised for observation, the next spacer 3az enters the field of view of the monitor screen from below, so that the photometry control unit 8g after inputting the measurement signal of the photometer in step 121 When the detection process is performed, the photometric ranges C, D, and E become “dark”, “dark”, and “bright” (the state shown in FIG. 6F), the determination at step 122 is satisfied, and the routine proceeds to step 123. In step 123, 1 is subtracted from n in response to the above determination being satisfied, and the routine goes to step 115. In step 115, the spacer number “SPn” of the appearing spacer 3az is displayed as character information on the monitor screen portion 8a (“SP6”).

  When the fuel assembly 3 is further moved up (the process returns to step 106 since the appearance inspection is continued), the photometric range is the state in which the spacer 3az is positioned at the position D (the photometric ranges C, D, E are After “dark”, “bright”, and “dark” (the state shown in FIG. 6E)), the spacer 3az is positioned at the position of the photometric range C (the photometric ranges C, D, and E are “ “Bright” “Dark” “Dark” (state of FIG. 6D)), and “Dark” “Dark” “Dark” (state of FIG. 6C).

  Up to this point (from the state where “SP6” is displayed on the monitor screen portion 8a in the above step 115 (the photometry ranges C, D and E are “dark”, “dark” and “bright”, respectively, as shown in FIG. 6F)). FIG. 6C shows “dark”, “dark”, and “dark” states) in the flow of FIG.

  Since the appearance inspection is continued, the process returns to Step 106, and after the measurement signal of the photometer is input in Step 106, the process proceeds to Step 108. Since the photometric range is “dark”, “dark”, and “bright” (state shown in FIG. 6F) as described above, step 110 and step 110-2 are not satisfied after step 108 is satisfied. , 110, 110-2.

  The fuel assembly 3 is raised and the spacer 3az is positioned at the position of the photometric range D (the photometric ranges C, D, and E are “dark”, “bright”, and “dark”, respectively, as shown in FIG. 6 (e)). ), The spacer 3az is positioned at the position of the photometric range C (the photometric ranges C, D, and E are “bright”, “dark”, and “dark” (the state shown in FIG. 6D)). Then, Step 110-2 is satisfied and the routine goes to Step 118.

  In step 118, a measurement signal is input and the process proceeds to step 119. However, since the photometric ranges C, D, and E are “bright”, “dark”, and “dark”, respectively, step 119 and step 119-2 are not satisfied. It becomes a loop of 119, 119-2.

  Thereafter, when the fuel assembly 3 is continuously raised, the spacer 3az leaves the monitor screen field of view, and when the photometry control unit 8g detects and processes the photometry meter in step 118, all the photometry ranges C, D and E are detected. Becomes “dark” and the determination at step 119 is satisfied, and the routine proceeds to step 120, where the spacer number “SPn” of the spacer 3az and the spacer number (“SPn-1”) further below this spacer 3az are used. "SPn-1-Spn" is displayed on the monitor screen 8a as character information ("SP5-SP6").

  Thereafter, the same procedure is repeated, and when the next spacer appears in the field of view of the monitor screen from below and the photometry range E becomes “bright”, the number of the spacer is displayed and the spacer leaves the field of view of the monitor screen. When all the photometric ranges D, E, and F are “dark”, a display indicating that they are between the next numbers is performed.

A description will be given of the case where the rise of the fuel assembly 3 is changed to the lowering in the state where the display of the monitor screen portion 8a is “SP5-SP6” in the above step 120.
When the fuel assembly 3 is lowered, the spacer 3ab appears on the upper side of the monitor screen as shown in FIG. 6 (d). Proceeding from step 120 to step 121, a measurement signal is input at step 121. Since the photometric ranges C, D, and E are “bright”, “dark”, and “dark”, respectively, step 122 is not satisfied, and the process proceeds to step 122-2, where it is satisfied and the process proceeds to step 115, and the spacer number is displayed. (SPn; specifically “SP6”) (All the photometric ranges C, D, E are “dark” until the spacer 3ab is visible on the lower side of the monitor screen. Since both steps 122-2 are not satisfied, the display of character information remains "SP5-SP6".

  When the fuel assembly 3 is further lowered, the state shown in FIG. 6D is changed to the state shown in FIGS. 6E, 6F, and 6C, and only the fuel rods are displayed. The photometric ranges C, D, and E are respectively “bright”, “dark”, and “dark” (state of FIG. 6D) to “dark” “light” “dark” (state of FIG. 6E), “dark”. “Dark” “Bright” (state of FIG. 6F), “Dark” “Dark” “Dark” (state of FIG. 6C).

  Up to this point (from the state where “SP2” is displayed on the monitor screen portion 8a in the above step 115 (the photometric ranges C, D, E are “bright”, “dark”, “dark” (the state shown in FIG. 6D)). FIG. 6C shows “dark”, “dark”, and “dark” states) in the flow of FIG.

  Since the appearance inspection is continued from step 115, the process returns to step 106, the measurement signal is input, and the process proceeds to step 108. Since the photometry range is “bright” “dark” “dark” (state of FIG. 6D) as described above, step 108 is not satisfied and the routine proceeds to step 108-2, where it is satisfied and the routine proceeds to step 118. . In step 118, a measurement signal is input. However, since the photometric range is “bright”, “dark”, and “dark” as described above, both steps 119 and 119-2 are not satisfied. It becomes a loop.

  After the fuel assembly 3 is lowered and the photometric ranges C, D, and E become “dark”, “light”, and “dark” (the state shown in FIG. 6E), “dark”, “dark”, “light” ( In the state of FIG. 6F, step 119-2 is satisfied and the routine goes to step 109.

  In step 109, the measurement signal is input and the process proceeds to step 110. However, since the photometric ranges C, D, and E are “dark”, “dark”, and “bright”, respectively, steps 110 and 110-2 are not satisfied. 110, 110-2 loop.

  Thereafter, when the fuel assembly 3 is continuously lowered, the spacer 3az leaves the monitor screen field of view, and after inputting the photometer signal in step 109, when the detection process is performed by the photometry control unit 8g, the photometry ranges C, D, E is all “dark” and the determination in step 110 is satisfied, and the process proceeds to step 111, where the number “SPn” (SP6) of the spacer 3ab and the spacer number (“SPn + 1” adjacent above the spacer 3ab) are displayed. "(SP7)" and "SPn-Spn + 1" is displayed on the monitor screen unit 8a as character information (specifically, "SP6-SP7").

Here, the case where the lowering of the fuel assembly 3 is switched to the rising again from the state where “SP6-SP7” is displayed on the monitor screen portion 8a (step 111) will be described.
The processing moves from step 111 to step 112. When the fuel assembly 3 is lifted, the monitor screen as shown in FIG. 6C is changed to a screen as shown in FIG. 6F, and the spacer 3ab can be seen at the bottom of the screen. The photometric ranges C, D, and E change from “dark”, “dark”, and “dark” to “dark”, “dark”, and “light”, respectively. In step 112, a measurement signal is input, and the process proceeds to step 113. In step 113, the measurement signal is not satisfied but is satisfied in step 113-2. In step 115, the number “SPn” of the spacer 3ab is displayed as character information on the monitor screen portion 8a (specifically, “SP6”).
In the above, the display of the monitor screen 8a is changed from the state shown in FIG. 6 (c) in step 120 as a scene where the ascent of the fuel assembly 3 is changed to the descending. You may change it. In the following, the flow of the flow of FIG. 5 is shown in the case where the rising of the fuel assembly 3 is changed to the lowering from the respective states of FIG. 6 (f), FIG. 6 (d) and FIG. 6 (e).

<Changing the rise of the fuel assembly 3 to the drop from FIG. 6 (f)>
Spacer at the bottom of the screen (dark, dark, light)
Step 115 → Visual inspection not completed → Step 106 → Step 108 → Step 109. Next, a loop of Step 109 → Step 110 → Step 110-2 → Step 109. When the spacer leaves the screen (dark, dark, dark), step 110 (YES) → step 111.

<Changing the rise of the fuel assembly 3 to the drop from FIG. 6D>
Spacer at the top of the screen (light, dark, dark)
Step 118 → Step 119 → Step 119-2 → Step 118 loop. When the spacer moves from the center of the screen (FIG. 6 (e); dark, bright, dark) to the top of the screen (FIG. 6 (f); dark, dark, bright), step 119-2 (YES) → step 109. Next, a loop of Step 109 → Step 110 → Step 110-2 → Step 109. When the spacer leaves the screen (dark, dark, dark), step 110 (YES) → step 111.

<Changing the rise of the fuel assembly 3 to the drop from FIG. 6 (e)>
Spacer in the center of the screen (dark, light, dark)
A loop of step 115 → appearance inspection incomplete → step 106 → step 108 → step 108-2 → step 106. When the spacer moves to the bottom of the screen (FIG. 6 (f); dark, dark, light), step 108 (YES) → step 109. Next, a loop of Step 109 → Step 110 → Step 110-2 → Step 109. When the spacer leaves the screen (dark, dark, dark), step 110 (YES) → step 111.

  Also in the modification, the same effect as in the second embodiment is obtained.

  In the second embodiment, an example is shown in which the initial input is performed with the photometric range D facing the spacer 3a first, but the initial input is performed with the upper tie plate 3c and the lower tie plate 3d set as the initial settings. Or a fuel rod between spacers as shown in FIG. 6 (c). However, in this case, in the flow shown in FIG. 5, the display of the spacer number “SPn” in step 105 should be “SPn−SPn + 1”, or the step after the appearance inspection must jump to step 112. Although there are some changes, the same effect as described above can be obtained by applying the idea of position identification in the height direction by the change of the lightness pattern.

  In the second embodiment, three photometric ranges C, D, and E are set in the field of view that appears on the monitor screen unit 8a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and four or more photometric ranges are set. The concept of height direction position identification based on the change in the brightness pattern may be applied to determine the height direction position according to “light” and “dark” of each range. Further, the camera assembly 4 side may be moved up and down without moving the fuel assembly 3 side. In these cases, the same effect is obtained.

  A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8A to 8E. This embodiment is an embodiment in which character information representing a surface is automatically switched in accordance with a change in the circumferential light-dark pattern of the fuel assembly. The same parts as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  Since the inspection apparatus used in the present embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In this embodiment, the character information input control unit 8c additionally displays the number of the fuel assembly 3 to be inspected, the inspection date, and the inspection surface number of the fuel assembly as character information on the monitor screen unit 8a. To do. In this character information, generally, the number of the surface of the fuel assembly 3 has four surfaces (refer to the rectangular tube shape of the channel box) in the structure of the fuel assembly 3. The first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface are referred to as clockwise when viewed from the top.

  Next, an example of an appearance inspection procedure using the inspection apparatus of the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by the photometric control unit 8g, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the fuel assembly 3 displayed on the monitor screen unit 8a at the time of inspection.

  Similar to the second embodiment, first, the camera device 4 is adjusted and arranged so as to face the spacer 3aa at the lowermost position of the fuel assembly 3 (or another position). FIG. 8A shows the monitor image at this time.

  Thus, the flow of FIG. 7 is started. First, in step 201, the photometry control unit 8g causes the photometry range G and the photometry range to be set to the left and right in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the fuel assembly 3 (horizontal left and right direction) on the spacer 3aa. F is set respectively.

  Then, after inputting the measurement signal of the photometer in step 202, it is determined in step 202 whether the photometric ranges G and F have the same brightness. This has the following significance. That is, since the reflectance of light is higher when there is no angle, that is, closer to a plane, if the spacer 3aa is not correctly opposed to the camera device 4 and is inclined (for example, FIG. 8B), the photometric range G , F, the shallower one is relatively bright and the deeper one is relatively dark, resulting in a difference in brightness between the two.

  In the face-to-face state shown in FIG. 8A, since there is no difference in the brightness of the photometric ranges G and F, the determination in step 203 is satisfied, and the routine proceeds to step 204. If there is a difference in brightness between the photometric ranges G and F, it is determined that the setup (preparation) is inappropriate and the process is repeated from the beginning (setting of the photometric range).

  In step 204, it is determined whether or not the surface number of the fuel assembly 3 for defining the initial position (for example, “Nth surface” where N is an integer of 1 to 4 as described above) is input by the operator. If the operator inputs the face number, this determination is satisfied, and the face number is displayed as character information on the monitor screen portion 8a in step 205 (specifically, a corresponding display instruction signal is displayed on the character information input control portion 8c). The character information input control unit 8c outputs a display signal corresponding to this to the monitor screen unit 8a for display (the same applies hereinafter). Thus, the setup is completed and the appearance inspection is started.

(1) At the time of left-handed (counterclockwise) observation In this state, the FPM 2 is operated to perform an appearance inspection (observation) on all four circumferential surfaces of the fuel assembly 3, for example (the axis thereof). Turn (rotate) counterclockwise (viewed from above). FIG. 8B shows a case where the fuel assembly 3 is slightly rotated on the monitor screen portion 8a as an example of a state immediately after the start. In this case, if the photometry control unit 8g performs detection processing after inputting the photometry signal of the photometer in step 206, the light / dark pattern changes as a result of the fuel assembly 3 rotating and the light reflection state (reflection angle) changing. The light / dark change determination at 207 is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step 208.

  In step 208, it is determined whether the right photometry range F of the photometry ranges G and F toward the monitor screen portion 8a is brighter than the left photometry range G (whether rotation has started). In FIG. 8B, as soon as the fuel assembly 3 starts rotating and the rotation angle is shallow (less than 45 ° and the edge e of the spacer 3aa is on the left side of the center of the screen), the right photometric range F is better. Since the light reflection angle with respect to the camera device 4 is shallower and brighter than the left photometry range G, this determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step 209.

  When the fuel assembly 3 is further rotated, the state shown in FIG. 8C (the rotation angle is 45 °, the edge e is at the center of the screen, and the photometric ranges F and G are the same brightness) is obtained, and then FIG. d) (the rotation angle is larger than 45 ° and the edge e is on the right side of the screen center). In this state, when the photometry control unit 8g performs detection processing after inputting the photometry signal of the photometer in step 209, the left photometry range G becomes brighter than the right photometry range F, and the determination in step 210 (the second half of rotation) Whether or not) is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step 211.

Thereafter, when the fuel assembly 3 is continuously rotated, the next surface shown in FIG. 8 (e) is brought into a face-to-face state. When the photometric signal of the photometer is input in step 211, the photometric control unit 8g performs detection processing. Then, the photometric ranges G and F become substantially the same brightness as each other, the determination in step 212 (whether or not the next surface is directly facing) is satisfied, and the process proceeds to step 213. In step 213, in response to the above determination being satisfied, the face number “N−1 (N = 4 when N = 0)” of the newly facing face is displayed on the monitor screen portion 8a as character information. (Thus, if it was the first side first, it would be the fourth side).
After completion of the control procedure in step 213, it is determined in step 214 whether the appearance inspection has been completed. If the appearance inspection has not been completed, the process proceeds to step 206, and the above procedure is repeated to continue the appearance inspection. The That is, when the fuel assembly 3 is further rotated, the rotation initial state (state in which the photometric range F is brighter than the photometric range G) similar to that shown in FIG. The steps 206 to 213 are repeated, and each time the photometric ranges G and F face the next surface of the spacer and have the same brightness, the number of the surface is displayed.

(2) When observing clockwise (clockwise) On the other hand, contrary to the above, when the fuel assembly 3 is rotated (rotated) clockwise (as viewed from the upper side in the axial direction), for example, in the previous step 208 In the left photometric range G, the reflection angle of light with respect to the camera device 4 is shallower and brighter than the right photometric range F (a state equivalent to FIG. 8D), so this determination is not satisfied, and step 216 Move on.

  Further, when the fuel assembly 3 is rotated in that direction, the state becomes equivalent to that shown in FIG. 8C (the rotation angle is 45 °, the edge e is at the center of the screen, and the photometric ranges F and G have the same brightness). Thereafter, the state is the same as in FIG. 8B (the rotation angle is greater than 45 ° and the edge e is on the left side of the screen center). In this state, if the photometry control unit 8g performs detection processing after inputting the photometry signal of the photometer in step 216, the right photometry range F becomes brighter than the left photometry range G, and the determination in step 217 (the second half of rotation) Is satisfied and the process proceeds to step 218.

  Thereafter, when the fuel assembly 3 is continuously rotated in the same direction, the next surface is brought into a face-to-face state. In step 218, when a photometric signal from the photometer is input and detected by the photometric control unit 8g, the photometric range G , F become substantially the same brightness as each other, the determination in step 219 (whether or not the next face is in a directly facing state) is satisfied, and the process proceeds to step 220. In step 220, in response to the above determination being satisfied, the face number “N + 1” (where N = 1 when N = 5) of the newly facing face is displayed on the monitor screen unit 8a as character information ( Therefore, if the first is the first side, then the second side).

  After completion of the control procedure in step 219, it is determined in step 214 whether or not the appearance inspection has been completed. If the appearance inspection has not been completed, the process proceeds to step 206, and the above procedure is repeated to continue the appearance inspection. The That is, when the fuel assembly 3 is further rotated, the rotation initial state (light measurement range G (left) is brighter than the light measurement range F (right) as shown in FIG. ), The procedure from step 206 to step 208 → step 216 to step 220 is repeated, and each time the photometric ranges G and F face the next surface of the spacer and have the same brightness, the number of that surface is displayed. Go.

  As described above, according to the fuel assembly inspection apparatus of the present embodiment, for example, when the spacer 3aa is first opposed to the camera device 4, the character input of the surface number (= surface number in the above example) As long as the operator performs the operation properly, the surface number N is automatically switched and displayed on the monitor screen section 8a even if the fuel assembly 3 turns and the surface facing it changes. (The surface display of the fuel assembly 3 on the monitor screen portion 8a can always be correctly displayed). Therefore, the operator does not need to continue to monitor the monitor screen portion 8a from the beginning to the end while turning the fuel assembly 3 as in the prior art. Moreover, it is not necessary to look from the pool side, and the labor burden can be greatly reduced.

  In the third embodiment, two photometric ranges F and G are set in the field of view that appears on the monitor screen 8a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and three or more photometric ranges are set. By applying the idea of circumferential position (surface) identification by changing the brightness pattern, the circumferential position (surface) may be determined according to “light” and “dark” of each range. Further, the camera assembly 4 side may be turned in the circumferential direction without moving the fuel assembly 3 side. In these cases, the same effect is obtained.

  In the third embodiment, only the case where the appearance inspection is performed while rotating the fuel assembly in the counterclockwise direction or the clockwise direction has been described. However, in the second embodiment, from the rise or the rise. Similarly to the case where the moving direction of the fuel assembly is changed from the middle to the lowering, it may be possible to cope with the case where the rotation direction is changed from the middle. The processing procedure in this case can be realized by applying the same idea as the flow of FIG. 5 to the flow of FIG. This makes it easier to perform an appearance inspection.

In the third embodiment, the surface number N of the monitor screen unit 8a is automatically switched and displayed by the determination signal detected by the photometry control unit 8g, but the determination signal is used for other purposes. It may be used. An example will be described below.
It is known that the fuel assembly with the channel box removed has a structure that is relatively easily twisted. When observing while changing the surface in the appearance inspection, for example, even if it is facing the monitor screen at the top of the fuel assembly, it will be slightly twisted in either direction when the fuel assembly is raised There were many times when I ended up.
In such a case, the inspection was temporarily stopped and the fuel assembly was twisted to resume.
In such a case, the determination signal detected by the photometric control unit 8g can be used. The fuel assembly is operated by inputting it as a position control signal to a turning drive unit (not shown) of the FPM 2 on which the fuel assembly is mounted so that the right photometry range F and the left photometry range G are the same. It is also possible to correct the twist. By doing in this way, there exists an effect of the further labor reduction.

  Next, the 4th Embodiment of this invention is described using FIGS. 9-12. Here, parts common or similar to those in the background art are denoted by common reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  FIG. 9 shows a system configuration example of the fuel assembly inspection apparatus of the present invention. The fuel assembly inspection apparatus is the same as that of the conventional apparatus in the fuel assembly appearance observation unit including the underwater television camera 301, the underwater television camera control device 302, the video typewriter 303, the video recording device 304, and the monitor television 305. is there. In the present embodiment, in order to capture the appearance observation position information of the fuel assembly 320, the position information in the longitudinal direction of the fuel assembly 320 is measured in conjunction with the elevation of the channel attaching / detaching device 325, and a position signal such as BCD is obtained. A position information measuring device 306 for output and a first signal converter 307 for converting the BCD signal into an audio equivalent signal so as to be recorded in the video recording device 304 are provided.

  Here, the audio equivalent signal refers to a signal that can be recorded in an audio recording area for recording information in synchronization with the video information on a normal commercially available video information recording medium. It is not handled.

  In FIG. 9, since it is necessary to measure height position information in accordance with the raising and lowering of the fuel assembly 320 using the channel attaching / detaching machine, the position information measuring device 306 includes a steel tape 328 that is interlocked with the raising and lowering of the fuel assembly 320, It has a hook (not shown) that is attached to the lifting cart of the channel attaching / detaching machine 325 or the handle of the upper tie plate 322 of the fuel assembly 320, and the steel tape 328 is wound around the fuel assembly ascending and descending. Since the encoder information at the time of feeding is measured as the height position information, the height position information with high accuracy can be acquired.

  If the channel attaching / detaching device 325 is provided with means for measuring the height position information, for example, a device that measures the positional relationship of the channel attaching / detaching device 325 when the channel attaching / detaching device 325 is moved up and down with an encoder, the height position information. By using this, it is possible to obtain the height position information of the fuel assembly 320 in the same manner as described above.

  When dimensional inspection is performed with a conventional apparatus, a reference line is drawn on the monitor TV screen, and the channel attaching / detaching device 325 is moved up and down to align the dimensional inspection target position with the reference line, and at that position. Although it was necessary to record the height information, when the apparatus of the present embodiment is used, the position information in the longitudinal direction of the fuel assembly 320 is simultaneously recorded on the same recording medium at the same time as the video information during the visual inspection. Since the data can be recorded in synchronism, the dimensional inspection can be omitted. Therefore, it is not necessary to carry out the dimensional inspection of the fuel assembly at the work site, and since it can be carried out after taking the recording medium to the office or the like, it can be carried out without being chased by work time.

  Note that the video recording device 304 used for recording the appearance video information and the fuel assembly position information prevents the image from being disturbed when the video is stopped on the monitor TV during the subsequent dimension measurement. It is preferable to use a digital recording device such as a hard disk recorder, DV deck, or DVD capable of recording video information as a digital signal. If a digital recording device is used, there is an advantage that video information can be easily taken into a personal computer or the like as a still image or a moving image, and can be easily performed when image processing is performed.

  FIG. 10 shows a flow of signal processing in the fuel assembly measuring apparatus of FIG. In this example, there is provided a first signal converter 307 for converting position information in the longitudinal direction of the fuel assembly measured by the apparatus of FIG. 9, for example, a BCD signal into an audio equivalent signal and a video signal. As shown in FIG. 10B, in the first signal converter 307, a signal distributor 308 distributes one BCD signal into an audio equivalent signal and a video signal, and converts the distributed BCD signal on one side into an audio equivalent signal. An audio equivalent signal conversion processing unit 310, a signal on / off switching unit 309 for turning on / off the output of the remaining distributed BCD signal, and a video counter for converting the BCD signal passed through the signal on / off switching unit into a video signal 311, and outputs the position signal output from the first signal converter 307 to the video recording device 304.

  A video signal output from the video recording device 304 is input to the monitor television 305. When superimposing position information on the screen of the monitor television 305, if the signal on / off switching unit 309 is turned on, the position information in the longitudinal direction of the fuel assembly 320 can be displayed on the monitor television 305. It is easy to determine at which position of the fuel assembly 320 an event characteristic of the appearance of 320, for example, when the adhesion sticking or peeling of the cladding on the fuel rod surface or the adhesion of foreign matter is observed. Can be confirmed. If the apparatus of FIG. 10 is used in the fuel assembly inspection area in accordance with the apparatus of FIG. 9, it is easy to confirm what height position the observation image of the appearance inspection of the fuel assembly 320 is. can do.

  FIG. 11 shows video information recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk, DV (digital video) tape, or DVD (digital versatile disk) using the fuel assembly inspection apparatus shown in FIG. 9 or FIG. And a system configuration of a fuel assembly inspection device used when dimensional measurement is performed at a location away from the fuel assembly inspection site such as an office, based on the appearance video. In this system, a video recording device 312 for appearance / dimension inspection, a second signal converter 313 for converting position information recorded on a recording medium into a video signal, etc., appearance video information and position information are displayed. This is composed of a monitor TV 314 for appearance / dimension inspection.

  Here, the second signal converter 313 includes a signal distributor 315, a signal conversion processing unit 316 to a video signal, a signal conversion processing unit 317 to a BCD signal, and a dimension calculation based on the height position information converted to the BCD signal. , An arithmetic processing unit 318 that performs arithmetic processing such as search control of height position information and resetting of height position information, a memory processing unit 319 that stores the BCD signal that has been arithmetically processed, and zero for clearing the height position information The reset unit 329, the search switch 330 for searching the height position, the display on / off unit 331 for displaying / hiding the height position information on the monitor television 314, and the height position information converted into the video signal The video counter 332 is displayed on the monitor TV 314.

  The signal distributor 315 is used to distribute one audio equivalent signal output when reproduced by the video recording apparatus, for a video signal and a BCD signal. The video signal conversion processing unit 316 converts one audio equivalent signal (position signal) output from the signal distributor 315 into a video signal and outputs the video signal to the monitor television 314. The signal conversion processing unit 317 for converting to a BCD signal converts the remaining audio equivalent signal (position signal) distributed by the signal distributor 315 into a BCD signal so that it can be arithmetically processed.

  The arithmetic processing unit 318 calculates the length of the fuel assembly 320 from a predetermined height position of the fuel assembly 320, for example, the height position on the lower surface of the upper tie plate 322 and the height position of the upper surface of the lower tie plate 323. , A function of outputting the arithmetic processing result to an external device such as a display or a personal computer, and a reset signal output from the height position zero reset unit 329, a signal conversion processing unit 317, a memory processing unit 319, and a zero reset display on / off 331. , A function of outputting to the counter 332 and a function of outputting a control signal (search command) output from the height position search switch 330 to the memory processing unit 319.

  The fuel assembly inspection apparatus in FIG. 11 is independent from the fuel assembly inspection apparatus shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, but can be used in combination.

  The dimension measurement method using the fuel assembly inspection apparatus shown in FIG. 11 will be described with reference to the fuel assembly full length measurement work flow of FIG. 12, taking as an example the case of measuring the total length of the fuel assembly.

  In order to measure the total length of the fuel assembly, it is necessary to reset the height position information to “zero” in advance at an arbitrary position as a reference in a state where the appearance video is projected on the monitor television 314. Here, an example will be described in which the upper end of the handle of the upper tie plate 322 is reset while being aligned with the reference line of the monitor television 314.

  After the height position information is reset to “zero”, the height position information is recorded at a position where the lower end of the upper tie plate 322 is aligned with the reference line of the monitor television 314. The height position information recorded here is defined as a height position A. The video is advanced, the upper end of the lower tie plate 323 is aligned with the reference line of the monitor television 314, and height position information is recorded at that position. The height position information recorded at this position is defined as a height position B. By calculating the height position A and the height position B, the total length of the fuel assembly can be obtained.

  The dimensions such as the total length of the fuel rods and the spacer interval can be obtained by aligning in the same procedure as described above.

  Furthermore, an image measuring instrument that electrically displays a scale or the like on a monitor TV screen and measures an arbitrary distance in the X and Y directions is a known device, but should be used in combination with the apparatus of this embodiment. Thus, the dimension in the lateral direction can be obtained with high accuracy from the aspect ratio of the scale on the monitor television screen, based on the longitudinal dimension measured by the apparatus of the above embodiment.

  In the fuel assembly inspection apparatus and the fuel assembly inspection method using the apparatus described above, the fuel assembly is installed in the channel attaching / detaching device, and the height position signal output in accordance with the elevation of the channel attaching / detaching device is captured. Therefore, the inspection can be applied not only to the fuel assembly inspection but also to the longitudinal inspection of the channel box or the like. Also, a position information measuring device for measuring the position information of the height of the TV camera at that time by moving up and down an underwater TV camera or the like used for visual inspection without fixing the object to be measured without using a channel attaching / detaching device. , The appearance inspection and the dimensional inspection can be simultaneously performed on the inspection object other than the fuel assembly or the channel box as in the above embodiment.

1 is an overall schematic configuration of an inspection apparatus for a fuel assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a side view illustrating a state in which inspection is performed using the inspection apparatus. It is sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of the underwater color television camera apparatus 4, FIG. 2 (a) is a cross-sectional view, FIG.2 (b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure by a photometry control part. It is a figure showing the fuel assembly projected on the monitor screen part at the time of appearance inspection. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure by the photometry control part with which the inspection apparatus of the fuel assembly by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention was equipped. It is a figure showing the fuel assembly projected on the monitor screen part at the time of appearance inspection. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure by the photometry control part with which the inspection apparatus of the fuel assembly by the 3rd Embodiment of this invention was equipped. It is a figure showing the fuel assembly projected on the monitor screen part at the time of appearance inspection. It is a figure which shows the field installation condition of the fuel assembly inspection apparatus by the 4th Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (a) is a typical whole elevation, (b) is a television camera image | photographed the upper tie plate. (C) is an example of a monitor television display screen when the television camera is shooting a lower tie plate. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of signal processing of the fuel assembly inspection apparatus of FIG. 9, where (a) is a diagram illustrating the entire fuel assembly inspection apparatus, and (b) is an internal view of the first signal converter of (a). The figure which shows a structure. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of a portion of the fuel assembly inspection apparatus that measures the dimensions of the fuel assembly based on the recording medium obtained by the fuel assembly inspection apparatus of FIG. 9. The flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of the dimension inspection using the fuel assembly inspection apparatus of FIG. The whole elevation of the conventional fuel assembly used as an inspection object by the present invention. The typical whole elevation which shows the conventional fuel assembly external appearance inspection condition. The block diagram which shows the flow of the signal processing of the conventional fuel assembly external appearance inspection apparatus. It is a figure which shows the field installation situation of the fuel assembly inspection apparatus which is one Embodiment of the conventional fuel assembly inspection apparatus, (a) is a typical whole elevation, (b) is a television camera is an upper type An example of a display screen of a monitor TV when shooting a rate, (c) is an example of a display screen of a monitor TV when the TV camera is shooting a lower tie rate.

Explanation of symbols

2 Fuel channel attaching and detaching machine (mounting means)
3 Fuel assembly 3a Spacer (Fuel spacer)
4 Underwater color TV camera device (photographing means)
8a Monitor screen (display means)
8c Character information input control unit (character information adding means)
8f Position control unit (shooting control means)
8g Photometric control unit (determination means)
AG region 54 Position control drive device (imaging control means)
301 Underwater television camera 302 Underwater television camera control device 303 Video typewriter 304 Video recording device 305 Monitor television 306 Position information measurement device 307 First signal converter 308 Signal distributor 309 Signal on / off switching unit 310 Audio equivalent signal conversion processing unit 311 Video Counter 312 Video recording device 313 Second signal converter 314 Appearance / dimension inspection monitor television 315 Signal distributor 316 Signal conversion processing unit 317 for video signal Signal conversion processing unit 318 for BCD signal Operation processing unit 319 Memory processing unit 320 Fuel assembly 321 Fuel rod 322 Upper tie plate 323 Lower tie plate 324 Spacer 325 Channel attaching / detaching machine (moving device)
326 Reference line 327 Measure 328 Steel tape 329 Zero reset unit 330 Search switch 331 Display on / off unit 332 Video counter

Claims (14)

Mounting means for mounting the fuel assembly of the nuclear reactor so as to be movable up and down or swivel;
Photographing means for photographing an image of a predetermined portion of the fuel assembly mounted on the mounting means;
Photometric means for measuring the brightness of each of a plurality of areas in the video based on the video signal by the photographing means;
Based on the measurement signal of the photometric means, a determination means for determining a mounting state of the fuel assembly according to a relative change in brightness of each of the plurality of regions,
An inspection apparatus for a fuel assembly, comprising: an imaging control unit that variably controls an imaging area of the imaging unit according to a determination result of the determination unit. The fuel assembly inspection apparatus according to claim 1,
The photometric means sets a plurality of regions including one region and another region in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction along the appearance of the fuel assembly, and measures the brightness of each region, respectively. A fuel assembly inspection device. The fuel assembly inspection device according to claim 2,
In the determination unit, the one region and the other region have substantially the same brightness from the state in which the one region is relatively bright and the other region is relatively dark by the photometry unit. Is measured, it is determined that the shooting area needs to be corrected by the shooting means, and a shooting area correction command signal is output,
In response to the imaging region correction command signal, the imaging control unit is configured so that the photometric unit measures the original state in which the one region is relatively bright and the other region is relatively dark. An inspection apparatus for a fuel assembly, wherein the imaging direction of the imaging means is driven and controlled. Mounting means for mounting the fuel assembly of the nuclear reactor so as to be movable up and down or swivel;
Photographing means for photographing an image of a predetermined portion of the fuel assembly mounted on the mounting means;
Photometric means for measuring the brightness of each of a plurality of areas in the video based on the video signal by the photographing means;
Based on the measurement signal of the photometric means, a determination means for determining a mounting state of the fuel assembly according to a relative change in brightness of each of the plurality of regions,
Display means for displaying video by the photographing means;
A fuel assembly inspection device comprising: character information adding means for adding character information relating to the mounting state of the fuel assembly to the video displayed on the display means in accordance with a determination result of the determination means. . The fuel assembly inspection apparatus according to claim 4,
The photometric means sets at least three areas including an upper area, an intermediate area, and a lower area in the axial direction along the appearance of the fuel assembly, and measures the brightness of each area, respectively. A fuel assembly inspection device. The fuel assembly inspection apparatus according to claim 5,
The determination unit is provided with the intermediate region in the fuel assembly when the photometric unit determines that the intermediate region is relatively brighter than the upper region and the lower region. Output a spacer display command signal.
The fuel assembly inspection apparatus, wherein the character information adding means adds character information related to the spacer to the video displayed on the display means in response to the spacer display command signal. The fuel assembly inspection apparatus according to claim 4,
The photometric means sets a plurality of regions including one region and another region in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction along the appearance of the fuel assembly, and measures the brightness of each region, respectively. A fuel assembly inspection device. The fuel assembly inspection apparatus according to claim 7,
In the determination unit, the one region and the other region have substantially the same brightness from the state in which the one region is relatively bright and the other region is relatively dark by the photometry unit. After that, when it is measured that the one area is relatively dark and the other area is relatively bright, the fuel assembly mounted on the mounting means is swirled. Judgment and output imaging surface switching command signal,
The apparatus for inspecting a fuel assembly, wherein the character information adding means changes character information related to a photographing surface to be added to the video displayed on the display means in response to the photographing surface switching command signal. Mounting means for mounting the fuel assembly of the nuclear reactor so as to be movable up and down or swivel;
Detection means for detecting the brightness of a plurality of locations in the fuel assembly or its surroundings mounted on the mounting means;
Based on a detection signal of the detection means, a determination means for determining a mounting state of the fuel assembly in the mounting means and outputting a corresponding determination signal in accordance with a change in the relative light / dark pattern of the plurality of locations. An inspection apparatus for a fuel assembly, comprising: A TV camera that shoots the fuel assembly and outputs a video signal;
A moving device that changes a relative positional relationship between the fuel assembly and a television camera;
A position information collection device that collects position information representing a relative positional relationship between the fuel assembly and a television camera;
A first signal converter for converting the position information collected by the position information collecting device into an audio equivalent signal;
A fuel assembly inspection apparatus, comprising: a video recording apparatus that records the video signal and the audio equivalent signal on the same recording medium in synchronization with each other. The fuel assembly inspection device according to claim 1,
The first signal converter is
A signal distributor for distributing the position information to counter information and audio equivalent signal information and having a signal on / off function;
A video counter for converting the counter information into a video signal;
Comprising
Further comprising means for superimposing the position information converted into the video signal on the video signal output from the video recording apparatus and outputting the same to a monitor television;
A fuel assembly inspection device. A video signal obtained by photographing the fuel assembly by changing the relative positional relationship between the fuel assembly and the TV camera to a plurality of signals and an audio equivalent signal representing the relative positional relationship between the fuel assembly and the TV camera are synchronized. The audio equivalent signal is read from the recording medium recorded on the same recording medium, and the position information signal in the video signal format that can be superimposed on the video information and the position information signal in the BCD format for calculation, control, and display A signal distributor that distributes the two signals;
An arithmetic processing unit for performing at least a part of calculation of a fuel assembly dimension, position reset, and position search control based on the position information signal in the BCD format;
A memory processing unit for recording position information output from the arithmetic processing unit;
A zero reset unit that arbitrarily zeroes the position information,
A search switch for searching location information;
A counter for displaying the position information converted into the video signal on the monitor television;
A display on / off switching unit for switching between displaying and hiding position information on the monitor TV;
Having a signal converter with
The video signal output from the signal converter is superimposed on the captured video signal to display video information and position information on a monitor TV screen, and to display a calculation result of fuel assembly dimension measurement. That it is configured,
A fuel assembly inspection device. The fuel assembly inspection device according to claim 1 or 2,
To read out the audio equivalent signal from the recording medium in which the video signal and the audio equivalent signal are recorded on the same recording medium, and perform calculation, control, and display with a position information signal in a video signal format that can be superimposed on video information. A signal distributor that distributes the signal to a position information signal of BCD format, and at least one of calculation of the size of the fuel assembly, position reset, and position search control based on the position information signal of BCD format. An arithmetic processing unit that performs the processing, a memory processing unit that records position information output from the arithmetic processing unit, a zero reset unit that arbitrarily resets the position information to zero, and a search switch for searching for position information , Switch between displaying the position information converted to video signal on the monitor TV and whether to display the position information on the monitor TV Further comprising a second signal converter that includes a display on-off switching of the eye,
The video signal output from the second signal converter is superimposed on the video signal output from the video recording device to display video information and position information on a monitor television screen, and calculation processing of fuel assembly dimension measurement Be configured to display results,
A fuel assembly inspection device. Changing the relative positional relationship between the fuel assembly and the television camera;
Capturing a video signal by photographing a fuel assembly before and after changing the relative positional relationship;
Collecting positional information representing a relative positional relationship between the fuel assembly and the television camera before and after changing the relative positional relationship;
Converting the collected position information into an audio equivalent signal;
Recording the video signal and the audio equivalent signal on the same recording medium in synchronization with each other;
Distributing the recorded position information to counter information and audio equivalent signals;
Converting the counter information into a video signal;
Displaying the position information converted into the video signal on a monitor television superimposed on the video signal recorded on the recording medium;
Measuring the dimensions of the fuel assembly based on the information displayed on the monitor television;
A fuel assembly inspection method characterized by comprising:

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