METHOD FOR WELDING A SEALED CLOSURE PLUG TO A FUEL ROD IN A NUCLEAR REACTOR

摘要

The invention concerns a method which consists, prior to welding, the plug and the cladding of the fuel rod (1) being in welding position in the welding station, in rotating the cladding and the plug of the fuel rod (1) about their common axis using rotating means; photographing along the periphery of the fuel rod (1) to obtain digitised images; determining, by analysing the digitised images, the positioning of the mating surface between the cladding and the plug of the fuel rod (1), and verifying the rotation of the fuel rod (1), and deducing therefrom whether or not it is possible to carry out the welding operation. In the event the welding operation is performed, after the plug has been welded on the cladding of the fuel rod (1), photographing the fuel rod (1) positioned in the welding station (8), along the periphery of the pencil (1), in the proximity of a parting line of the cladding and the plug, so as to obtain digitised images and controlling, by analysing the digitised images, the conformity of a weld seam produced along the parting line.