Apparatus and method for inspection of fuel assemblies

A method is described for the inspection of boiling water reactor fuel assemblies, each fuel assembly comprising a plurality of fuel rods and upper and lower tie plates, the upper and lower tie plates each comprising grids having first apertures for housing the respective upper and lower ends of the fuel rods and having second apertures which allow coolant water to flow through the fuel rods. The fuel assembly further consists of on its lower end, adjacent to and covering the lower tie plate, a nosepiece in the shape of an inverted tripod. The method consists of the steps of: (a) pivoting a probe about a single pivot point disposed below the lower tie plate to allow the probe to be inserted in each of the second apertures; and (b) inserting the probe into the second apertures to detect and localize the presence of water inside the fuel rods adjacent to the second apertures