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Title: Position indicator

Abstract

A nuclear reactor system is described in which a position indicator is provided for detecting and indicating the position of a movable element inside a pressure vessel. The movable element may be a valve element or similar device which moves about an axis. Light from a light source is transmitted from a source outside the pressure vessel to a first region inside the pressure vessel in alignment with the axis of the movable element. The light is redirected by a reflector prism to a second region displaced radially from the first region. The reflector prism moves in response to movement of the movable element about its axis such that the second region moves arcuately with respect to the first region. Sensors are arrayed in an arc corresponding to the arc of movement of the second region and signals are transmitted from the sensors to the exterior of the reactor vessel to provide indication of the position of the movable element.

Inventors:
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
GA Technologies Inc., San Diego, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
864065
Patent Number(s):
4304630
Application Number:
06/122295
Assignee:
The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy (Washington, DC)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F16 - ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS F16K - VALVES
G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01D - MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE
DOE Contract Number:  
AT03-76SF71023
Resource Type:
Patent
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: 1980 Feb 19
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
position; indicator; nuclear; reactor; described; provided; detecting; indicating; movable; element; inside; pressure; vessel; valve; similar; device; moves; axis; light; source; transmitted; outside; region; alignment; redirected; reflector; prism; displaced; radially; response; movement; arcuately; respect; sensors; arrayed; corresponding; signals; exterior; provide; indication; light source; reactor vessel; pressure vessel; nuclear reactor; valve element; movable element; region inside; position indicator; similar device; /376/250/976/

Citation Formats

Tanner, David E. Position indicator. United States: N. p., 1981. Web.
Tanner, David E. Position indicator. United States.
Tanner, David E. Thu . "Position indicator". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/864065.
@article{osti_864065,
title = {Position indicator},
author = {Tanner, David E.},
abstractNote = {A nuclear reactor system is described in which a position indicator is provided for detecting and indicating the position of a movable element inside a pressure vessel. The movable element may be a valve element or similar device which moves about an axis. Light from a light source is transmitted from a source outside the pressure vessel to a first region inside the pressure vessel in alignment with the axis of the movable element. The light is redirected by a reflector prism to a second region displaced radially from the first region. The reflector prism moves in response to movement of the movable element about its axis such that the second region moves arcuately with respect to the first region. Sensors are arrayed in an arc corresponding to the arc of movement of the second region and signals are transmitted from the sensors to the exterior of the reactor vessel to provide indication of the position of the movable element.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1981},
month = {1}
}