A REACTOR CAVITY INSPECTION ROBOT-

A ROBOTIC INSPECTION SYSTEM WILL BE DEVELOPED TO ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR WORKER ENTRY INTO REACTOR CAVITIES AT PRESSURIZED WATER REACTOR (PWR) PLANTS. CURRENTLY, WORKERS MUST ENTER THE CAVITY TO LOOK FOR WATER LEAKS FROM THE REFUELING CAVITY DURING EACH REFUELING OUTAGE. THESE ENTRIES ARE A MAJOR CONCERN TO THE NRC AND PLANT OPERATORS BECAUSE OF HIGH BACKGROUND RADIATION LEVELS (1 R/H TO OVER 200 R/H) AND THE POSSIBILITY FOR WORKERS SLIPPING FROM THE ACCESS LADDERS. NINE CASES OF OVEREXPOSURE HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN THE REACTOR CAVITIES DURING RECENT YEARS. PHASE I WILL INCLUDE TESTS IN A NONRADIOACTIVE PLANT TO VERIFY THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COMMERCIAL EQUIPMENT COMPONENTS TO PERFORM THE REQUIRED INSPECTIONS AND TO ESTABLISH SPECIFIC DESIGN REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ROBOTIC SYSTEM. ALSO INCLUDED WILL BE A TRADEOFF STUDY OF DESIGN OPTIONS AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE SELECTED ROBOTIC SYSTEMS CONCEPT. PHASE II WILL INCLUDE THE DETAILED DESIGN, FABRICATION, AND DEMONSTRATION TESTING IN AN OPERATING NUCLEAR POWER PLANT.