Abstract: An apparatus is provided for optically checking the inner profile of a tube or a bore, especially the tubes of steam generators in nuclear power stations, the apparatus includes a probe which is positioned within and is movable longitudinally within the tube or bore and is connected to an external power supply and analysis system. The probe includes a source of light, a mechanism for causing the light to illuminate the wall of the tube or bore along a line corresponding to the intersection of the wall with a cross-sectional plane, and a mechanism for forming an image of this line on a photo-sensitive sensor, so that variations in the inner profile of the tube or bore can be determined from deviations of the image from a theoretical image corresponding to the typical profile of the tube or bore.

Abstract: A multi-axis force and moment transducer having a plurality of flexible plates, orthogonally oriented, interconnected between first and second bodies to measure the forces exerted thereon due to relative movement between the bodies. The interconnection between a first element attached to the first body and a second element attached to the second body is affected by a plurality of first thin flexible plates and a plurality of second thin flexible plates, the ends of the plates being interconnected by a ball-joint coupling. The first thin flexible plates are oriented such that they flex in a direction generally perpendicular to a first axis, while the second thin flexible plates are oriented such that they flex in a direction generally parallel to such axis. Strain gauges may be provided on each of the thin flexible plates to provide an output of the forces.