Method of inspecting or utilizing tools in a nuclear reactor environment

Abstract

A method of inspecting or utilizing tools in the underwater environment of a nuclear reactor vessel, a spent fuel pool or equipment pit includes floating a platform for transporting inspection devices and/or tools over an underwater target site and deploying the devices or tools to the underwater target site. The platform may be coupled to a boom whose opposite end is carried by a cart movable about a floor area surrounding the pool. Alternatively, the platform may be independently movable along the water surface by thrusters.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A method of inspecting or utilizing tools in the underwater environment of at least one of a nuclear reactor vessel, a spent fuel pool or an equipment pit at a nuclear reactor site comprising the steps of:
 (a) floating a platform on the surface of water in a water pool overlying a portion of one of the reactor vessel the spent fuel pool and the equipment pit; and   (b) deploying an inspection device or a tool from the floating platform to a target site below the water surface to inspect or perform work at the target site,   including mounting at least four cable reels on said platform, providing cables fixed at opposite ends to the cable reels and to fixed locations spaced substantially 90° about the reactor vessel, spent fuel pool or equipment pit and selectively winding and unwinding cable relative to the cable reels to displace the floating platform along the water surface to locate the inspection tool or device above the target site.   
     
     
         15 . A method of inspecting or utilizing tools in the underwater environment of at least one of a spent fuel pool or an equipment pit at a nuclear reactor site comprising the steps of:
 (a) removing a steam dryer from a nuclear reactor vessel and positioning the dryer over said one of the spent fuel pool and equipment pit;   (b) supporting a frame from the steam dryer adjacent the surface of water in a water pool overlying a portion of said one of the spent fuel pool and the equipment pit; and   (c) deploying an inspection device or a tool from the frame to a target site below the water surface to inspect or perform work at the target site.   
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 15  wherein the step of deploying includes extending a cable from the frame to support the inspection device or tool adjacent the target site within said one of the spent fuel pool and equipment pit. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 15  including providing a cable drive on the frame, and extending or retracting a cable supporting the inspection device or tool from the cable drive.