FIELD: controlling parameters of reactor units. SUBSTANCE: method primarily designed for type RBMK reactors involves use of ultrasonic vibration receiver for recording acoustic signal produced due to ultrasonic action of acoustic transmitter onto acoustic system incorporating water-filled zirconium tube damped by graphite rings. Acoustic system is adjusted to working conditions with low Q-factor and high sensitivity to damping action of graphite rings. Scale showing amplitude of reflected ultrasonic radiation as function of graphite contact ring pressure onto zirconium tube is calibrated by means of auxiliary graphite ring fitted onto tube. Zirconium tube damped by graphite rings is scanned by acoustic transmitter and ultrasonic vibration receiver. Amplitude and phase of acoustic signals arriving from graphite rings are recorded. Graphite ring pressure onto tube is determined according to calibration scale obtained earlier. Device implementing proposed method has acoustic transmitter and ultrasonic vibration receiver, acoustic-transmitter oscillator, and detector signal converting module. It also has bushing incorporating acoustic transmitter and ultrasonic vibration receiver which are disposed in diametrically opposite ends of single line placed in tube when scanning location point of graphite ring. Linear displacement transducer records bushing position in zirconium tube. EFFECT: enhanced safety, reliability, economic efficiency, and operating precision of reactor unit. 4 cl, 3 dwg
