Manipulator for inspection and possible repair of the tubes of heat exchangers, especially of steam generators for nuclear reactors

Manipulator for inspecting and, if required, repairing the tubes of heat exchangers of steam generators, especially for nuclear reactors, comprising a steam generator having at least one tube bundle set in a tube sheet with the tube endings in the tube sheet having individual tube openings leading into a steam generator chamber, an opening in the steam generator chamber, a lead-in nozzle extending into said steam generator chamber opening, means for bringing-in an inspection arm through the lead-in nozzle into the steam generator chamber, means for withdrawing the inspection arm through the lead-in nozzle, a blind flange for closing off the lead-in nozzle when the inspection arm is withdrawn, a mouthpiece arranged at the free end of the inspection arm, remote control means for aligning the inspection arm with the mouthpiece onto any individual tube opening for engagement with the tube opening whereby inspection instruments and tools such as eddy current probes, cleaning plugs, explosive plugs and the like can be introduced into the tubes through the mouthpiece and removed after the inspection is completed, said inspection arm comprising an elongated guide tube, movably lengthwise, in the lead-in nozzle, a swivel arm at the end of the elongated guide tube supported rotatably in a plane parallel to said tube sheet, an extendable and retractable mouthpiece carrier connected at the end of the swivel arm, and a mouthpiece which can be aligned onto the tube openings disposed on the mouthpiece carrier, with the outer contour of said swivel arm and said mouthpiece carrier in a stretched out transport position for bringing into or withdrawal from the steam generator chamber, not greater than the inner contour of said lead-in nozzle to permit transport therethrough.