Patent Number: 052415724
Section: summary

This invention relates to apparatus for locating a floatable platform, and more particularly, but not exclusively, concerns a platform for monitoring multi-element bottles (MEB's) as used for storing irradiated nuclear fuel elements under water in a storage pond. According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for locating a floatable platform relative to an article submerged in a liquid, the apparatus comprising support members arranged to be adjacent to the article, extendible members depending from the platform, the extendible members being locatable on the support members such that appropriate extension of the extendible members raises the platform from a buoyant to a partially-buoyant state, means for determining the position of the platform relative to the article, inspection means for inspecting the article, and a leg on which the inspection means is mounted, the leg being supported from the platform and being capable of extending below the platform. Preferably, the extendible leg is supported from a carriage, and the carriage locates on and is movable on first guide means which themselves locate on and are movable on second guide means disposed on the platform and aligned in a direction normal to the first guide means, thereby to provide x-y scanning of the inspection means. According to another aspect of the present invention, apparatus for locating a floatable platform relative to an article submerged in a liquid, comprises support members arranged to be adjacent to the article, extendible members depending from the platform, the extendible members being locatable on the support members such that appropriate extension of the extendible members raises the platform from a buoyant to a partially-buoyant state, means for determining the position of the platform relative to the article, the position determining means comprising laser means on the platform arranged to scan stationary coded targets remote from the platform, and a rack in which the support members are incorporated and in which rack the article is locatable. In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for locating a floatable platform relative to an article submerged in a liquid, comprising support members arranged to be adjacent to the article, extendible members depending from the platform, the extendible members being locatable on the support members such that appropriate extension of the extendible members raises the platform from a buoyant to a partially-buoyant state, means for determining the position of the platform relative to the article, a rack in which the support members are incorporated and in which rack the article is locatable, the article comprising a container for irradiated nuclear fuel.