Patent Number: 046506390
Section: abstract

The invention concerns a method and apparatus for eliminating leakage spaces between the partitions (1) surrounding the core of a pressurized water nuclear reactor, after it is brought into operation.. Operations are carried out under water, during shutdown of the reactor. The defective joins (12) between the partitions (1) are identified. For each join, the partitions (1) are pierced, the hole inside a partition (1) is screw-threaded, the swarf is recovered, a screw with diametrical expansion is introduced and screwed into the hole and the screw is expanded by displacement of a rod in the longitudinal direction of the screw. Moving location, the operations are repeated for each defective join (12). The apparatus comprises a case (25) containing a drum (36) bearing tools for boring (54-65), screw-threading, and screwing, a cleaning tube and a punch for locking the screw.. The invention is applicable to work on pressurized water nuclear reactors, after they have been brought into operation.