Abstract: A high temperature reed switch position indicator for a pressurized water reactor in which the drive rod housing is completely immersed in the reactor coolant. The reed switch sensor modules positioned along the control rod drive rod travel housing are constructed solely of metallic, ceramic and glass materials and are sealed within an outer housing to isolate the sensor assembly from the coolant.

Abstract: A high temperature reed switch position indicator for a pressurized water reactor in which the drive rod housing is completely immersed in the reactor coolant. The reed switch sensor modules positioned along the control rod drive rod travel housing are constructed solely of metallic, ceramic and glass materials and are sealed within an outer housing to isolate the sensor assembly from the coolant.

Abstract: The video image of the end effector (26) and work surface (32) in the vicinity of the end effector is converted into a series of continually generated digitized images (132), which are further processed to detect and track the relative motion between the end effector and the work surface. After calibration (126), whereby an index of coordinates and arm orientation is established for a known positioning of the end effector relative to a known reference feature (28a) on the work surface, the tracking (168) of the motion of the end effector is utilized to continually update the index (104) to indicate the actual coordinate and orientation of the end effector relative to the work surface. The updated index is displayed on a live video monitor (44), and can be used as input to the feedback circuit (94) of the manipulator control system.

Abstract: A sensor (16) is affixed to a piece of rotatable equipment (10). The sensor has a rolling member (26) freely moveable within a cage member (18). In operation, the rolling member (26) contacts electrically conductive surfaces (28,30) disposed about the interior of the cage member. By determining which particular pair of surfaces are currently in contact with the rolling member, the orientation of the cage member with respect to the horizontal is known. The preferred embodiment utilizes a resistor network (34) and an electrical measuring device (48) for making this determination.