Abstract: An antiseismic support pad having a base for supporting and holding the pad on a support surface, at least one spherical rolling element mounted to rotate freely about a center of rotation in a bearing secured to the support base, and a support plate resting on the spherical rolling element via a concave bearing surface, the pad being characterized by the fact that the support base comprises a soleplate secured to at least one bearing, configured to rest freely on the support surface and to hold the pad in place on the support surface without a fastener, and that the support pad includes an arrangement configured to suspend the support base from the support plate and move the base resiliently in radial directions about a support plate axis that is substantially perpendicular to the soleplate, the arrangement connected firstly to the support plate and secondly to the support base comprising the soleplate and the bearing.

Abstract: An antiseismic support pad having a base for supporting and holding the pad on a support surface, at least one spherical rolling element mounted to rotate freely about a center of rotation in a bearing secured to the support base, and a support plate resting on the spherical rolling element via a concave bearing surface, the pad being characterized by the fact that the support base comprises a soleplate secured to at least one bearing, configured to rest freely on the support surface and to hold the pad in place on the support surface without a fastener, and that the support pad includes an arrangement configured to suspend the support base from the support plate and move the base resiliently in radial directions about a support plate axis that is substantially perpendicular to the soleplate, the arrangement connected firstly to the support plate and secondly to the support base comprising the soleplate and the bearing.

Abstract: The device comprises a platform (13) fixed in a horizontal position on a support structure (3) for the fuel assembly (4) placed under water in a pool (1). The platform (13) includes a table (14) for shifting a carriage (35) in two crossed directions in a horizontal plane and an arrangement (27) for clamping the fuel assembly so as to immobilize it in the machining position. The fuel assembly (4) is placed in the machining position by a hoisting device (6). A table (15) mounted on the table (14) for movement in one of said crossed directions in the horizontal plane is returned elastically (40) in the direction toward the assembly (4). A frame (16) is fixed on the table (15) and permits shifting a tool-carrying carriage (49) in a direction defined by the frame (16). A motorized grinding unit (17) is fixed on the tool-carrying carriage. The device may be used in particular for cutting or levelling the surface of a spacer-grid (8) of a used fuel assembly (4).

Abstract: The fuel element is inserted into a cell, under water, in a pool. Compressed air is injected into the cell so as to drain it of water. A pressure lower than atmospheric pressure is established in the cell and then the gases contained in the cell are subjected to a stream of scavenging air and are collected in a fission product detecting unit. Water is introduced into the cell, the water in the cell is sampled, fission products in the water sample are detected and the fuel element is extracted from the cell if the possible presence of a leak from this fuel element is determined. The detection device comprises a cell having an elongate body delimiting a central housing for a fuel element and end parts. One of the end parts, traversed by a channel in the extension of the housing, receives a cap for opening and closing the channel associated with a remotely controllable opening and closing arrangement.

Abstract: A device for measuring and remotely checking external dimensions of an external lateral face of a part of a work piece. The device comprises measuring means for measuring the length of the part and including a set of two ultrasonic transducers arranged to transmit and receive ultrasound pulses, a movable support for supporting the transducers, abutting means, first rotation means for rotating the supporting means about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the workpiece, and second rotation means for rotating the supporting means between an initial position where the two transducers are substantially directed along a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the workpiece and two predetermined angular positions symmetrical with respect to the initial position, and means for rectilinearly displacing the movable support for bringing the movable support into and out abutting contact with the lateral face to be measured.

Abstract: A device for inspecting the rods of a cluster which is insertable into the core of a nuclear reactor has a body with a guide for indexing the cluster in m different angular positions. The body includes a support plate which is traversed by the rods during movement in the body and carries n/m eddy current coils (n being the total number of rods in the group). The device is associated with a data processor and with ultrasonic and optical examination systems. Optical examination is carried out on one rod at a time while it is moved longitudinally through the body.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in positioning a unit successively relative to a plurality of tubes of a regular array of tubes supported by a tube-plate within an enclosure provided with an access opening, e.g. relative to the boiler tubes of a steam generator of a nuclear power station, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,004,698 is adapted for association with transporting apparatus for placing the positioning apparatus in the enclosure, the transporting apparatus comprising a rectilinear guide rod for passing through the access opening and for guiding a carriage provided with a coupling assembly for releasably coupling the positioning apparatus to the carriage during movement thereof between the outside and the inside of the enclosure and which are disconnectable to permit movement of the positioning apparatus across the tube-plate.

Abstract: A device for use in positioning a member, e.g. an eddy-current probe, in each tube of a regular array of tubes supported by a tube plate, e.g.