Patent Number: 041750004
Section: claims

1. In a method of non-destructively inspecting a nuclear reactor fuel element having fuel rods and transversely disposed grids, of the type wherein the fuel element is submerged in a pool, the improvement comprising: moving to a position adjacent to the fuel element a strongback suspended from a bridge that spans the pool and is movable therealong; pivotally moving the strongback to a position in which it is substantially perpendicular to the bridge; positioning the fuel element on the strongback; pivotally moving the strongback into a position in which it is parallel to the bridge; inspecting at least one exposed surface of the fuel element on the strongback; removing the fuel element from the strongback; turning the fuel element to expose at least one different surface; replacing the turned fuel element on the strongback; inspecting said at least one different surface; inserting deflector bars into the grids of the fuel element; rotating the bars to bear against portions of the grids thereby to release the holding engagement between the fuel rods and the grids; withdrawing the fuel rods from the grids; and inspecting at least one of the withdrawn rods. 2. In a method of non-destructively inspecting a nuclear reactor fuel element having fuel rods and guide tubes spaced by a lattice of transversely disposed plates and end grids attached to the guide tubes for receiving the fuel rods, of the type wherein the fuel element is submerged in a pool, the improvement comprising; moving to a position adjacent to the fuel element a strongback suspended from a bridge that spans the pool and is movable therealong; pivotally moving the strongback to a position in which it is substantially perpendicular to the bridge; positioning the fuel element on the strongback; pivotally moving the strongback into a position in which it is parallel to said bridge; inspecting at least one exposed surface of the fuel element on the strongback; removing the fuel element from the strongback; turning the fuel element to expose at least one different surface; replacing the turned fuel element on the strongback; inspecting said at least one different surface; detaching and withdrawing one end grid from the fuel element; pivotally moving the strongback and fuel element to a position substantially perpendicular to the bridge; detaching and withdrawing the other end grid from the fuel element, withdrawing the guide tubes from the fuel element; pivotally moving the strongback and fuel element to a position in which it is parallel to the bridge; inserting deflector bars into the grids of the fuel element; rotating the bars to bear against portions of the grids thereby to release the holding engagement between the fuel rods and the grids; withdrawing the fuel rods from the grids; and inspecting at least one of the withdrawn rods.