ARCHER

ARCHER is designed to provide eddy current and ultrasound examinations of reactor pressure vessel head penetrations by the use of various test modules and to perform automated surface repairs of the J-groove weld and tubes' outside surface, below the weld, on both PWR and VVER type of nuclear power plants.

• different modules used for various types of reactor pressure vessel head geometry
• easy modules exchange through the docking system without personnel having to enter below the head region
• full scope inspection of both PWR and VVER reactor pressure vessel head
• all penetrations accessible without manipulator repositioning
• remotely operated distance up to 200 meters
• IP protection level: IP65
• main air supply: 6 bar
• power supply: 110-230 VAC, 50-60 Hz
• rotation speed: 12 °/s
• linear horizontal speed: 100 mm/s
• linear vertical speed: 100 mm/s
• linear positioning accuracy: ± 0.2 mm
• angular positioning accuracy: 0.3°
• absolute positioning system

Non sleeved CRDPP module
(open housing)

• used for penetrations without thermal sleeves
• delivery of eddy current and array of ultrasonic probes at the inner surface of penetrations
• detection and sizing of circumferential and axial cracks
• leak path identification with a straight beam
• water supply and water collecting system

GAP module

• designed to perform eddy current and ultrasound examinations from the inner surface of the tubes
• special blade probe used for inspection with embedded TOFD probes, eddy current probe and ultrasound 0°probe
• detection and length information of surface flaws conducted by eddy current probe
• ultrasound inspection using TOFD technique for detection and sizing of circumferential and axial cracks
• straight beam ultrasound examination for leak path detection
• rotation speed: 0 − 12 °/s
• linear vertical speed: 0 − 100 mm/s
• linear positioning accuracy: ± 0.2 mm
• angular positioning accuracy: ± 0.2°

J-groove weld module

• eddy current examination of J-groove weld shell and nozzle side
• designed to cover complex weld geometry
• applied array probe (PRO ARCHER)
• rotation speed: 0 − 12 °/s
• linear vertical speed: 0 − 100 mm/s
• linear positioning accuracy: ± 0.2 mm
• angular positioning accuracy: ± 0.2°

Automated surface repair module

• removal of flaws discovered by eddy current examination from the J-groove weld’s surface
• supported by EddyOne Mending
• 3 axes of movement
• definition of the grinding area based on the surface probing and ultrasound inspection results
• built-in safety features with respect to grinding depth
• grinding does not affect originally designed structural integrity
• depth verification with the second probing
• ASR is a non-welding process − no additional source of intensive heat
• excellent ALARA results

Additional modules

• module for eddy current/ultrasound inspections of vent pipes with small diameter probes
• module for visual testing inspections of the penetration tube’s outside surface and thermal sleeve
• module for visual testing inspections of the latching tool mechanism of CRDM
• module for the visual testing inspection of the latching tool mechanism of CRDM