Abstract: Fuel and fertile rod for a nuclear reactor. It comprises a can, a column of fissile and/or fertile pellets within the can and end plugs welded to the two ends of the can. The column of pellets is held in place by two tubular spacers of limited thickness and with rounded edges abutting against the two ends of the fuel column and set with a fixed dimension to the can. The column of fissile and fertile pellets can also be held in place by a supplementary positioning setting of the fertile pellet column.

Abstract: A self-propelled carriage for inspecting the primary vessel of a fast reactor is capable of displacement within the interspace between the primary vessel and the containment vessel in order to inspect and test any predetermined zone of the primary vessel, the carriage being associated with a drive mechanism and applied against the oppositely-facing wall of the containment vessel. The carriage is suspended from a composite cable actuated by a handling apparatus for introducing the carriage into the interspace and withdrawing it therefrom. The composite cable supplies electric power as well as the different fluids required for positioning and operation of the inspection devices which are mounted on the carriage.