Combustion Engineering, Inc.

Herbert A Runde

John P Lareau

Joseph E Kowles

Kenneth R Mayo

Donald C Bettencourt

Joseph H Comeau

Apparatus for sensing and transmitting a signal indicative of the position of a movable ferromagnetic member relative to a fixed structure within which the member moves. The apparatus includes a plurality of magnetic circuit arrangements arranged uniformly along the outside of the fixed structure. Each magnetic circuit arrangement includes a pair of magnets and a pair of arcuate-shaped magnetic path elements extending circumferentially about the fixed structure. A plurality of magnetic field responsive position transmitters are positioned adjacent the magnetic circuit arrangements for sensing the presence of the movable ferromagnetic member at predetermined positions within the fixed structure. The apparatus is particularly useful for monitoring the position of control rods in a nuclear reactor because the monitoring is done from outside the sealed structure.

Control rod position transmitter

A couplant material for establishing a sound path of good acoustical impedance between a transducer and a supporting wave-transmitting substrate which is capable of being easily shaped at room temperature, withstanding thermal cycling from room temperature to over 450.degree. F., and substantially maintaining its acoustical properties in a radiation atmosphere while providing a minimum of irritating fumes and outgassing. The couplant material is a non-flammable, grease-like silicone fluid heavily filled with zinc oxide. It has been used previously as a heat sink compound for electronic components.

Method of using a high temperature ultrasonic couplant material

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.

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Windsor Locks, CT, United States of America

Herbert A Runde