A plurality of core bodies are housed within a casing having an opening portion on one end side. A core body selecting mechanism is provided which includes a plurality of operating portions coupled to each of the plurality of core bodies, and makes at least a tip of one core body among the plurality of core bodies selectively project from the opening portion of the casing. A pen pressure detecting portion common to the plurality of core bodies is provided within the casing. When the operating portion is operated to make at least the tip of the one core body project from the opening portion, part of the operated operating portion engages with the pen pressure detecting portion common to the plurality of core bodies, and the pen pressure detecting portion detects a pen pressure applied to the tip projected from the opening portion.

A control rod position indication system (2) is for a nuclear reactor (4) with a reactor core (8) and at least one control rod (6) which is movable along a linear path of movement for controlling the reactivity of the reactor core (8). The control rod position indication system (2) includes a permanent magnet (16) mounted on the control rod (6) or a corresponding drive rod (12), and a number of reed switches (20) arranged around the path of movement in order to be switched by a magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet (16) when passing by. The permanent magnet (16) has a north-south axis (18) whose orientation is constant during movement, and the respective reed switch (20) has a number of reed contacts (22) which are aligned along a longitudinal axis (24). The longitudinal axis (24) of at least one of the reed switches (20) is inclined relative to the north-south axis (18) of the permanent magnet (16), and the angle of inclination (W) has an absolute value within a range from 15 to 65 degrees.

A rotation angle detection sensor detects the rotation angle of a rotating part attached to a structure including a fixed part and a rotating part that rotates around a rotary shaft. The rotation angle detection sensor includes a reed switch attached to the fixed or rotating part with reeds placed near the rotary shaft. An annular magnet is attached to the rotating or fixed part. A magnetic circuit is formed with respect to the reed switch, with its central axis arranged concentrically with the rotary shaft. When the magnet rotates around the central axis with respect to the reed switch, if the same poles of the magnet are lined up in the longitudinal direction of the reed switch, the reed switch is turned off. If opposite poles of the magnet are lined up in the longitudinal direction of the reed switch, the reed switch is turned on.

A liquid level sensor includes a liquid level responsive member that moves in response to changing liquid level, an electrically conductive contact associated with the liquid level responsive member, a circuit including a rectifying element and a) one or more conductive elements, or b) one or more resistive elements or c) one or more conductive elements and one or more resistive elements, wherein the contact is arranged to engage at least one of the elements in a, b, or c, and a power supply. The power supply is adapted to provide a voltage to the circuit causing a current flow in a first direction in the circuit wherein the current flows through the contact and to provide a current flow in a second direction in the circuit wherein the rectifying element prevents current flow through the contact.

A sensor assembly comprising a first rotary sensor part with a plurality of individual electrically conducting axial position sensor segments arranged in a circumferential pattern, and a second rotary sensor part arranged rotationally relative to the first portion and comprising a plurality of circumferentially arranged electrically interconnected axial position contacts adapted to be arranged in contact with the axial position sensor segments. The assembly further comprises actuator means for axially moving the axial position contacts between a connected and a dis-connected position, wherein the axial position contacts and the axial position sensor segments are arranged such that for a given rotational position at least two axial position contacts each are in contact with a different axial position sensor segment.

A sensor assembly comprising a first rotary sensor part with a plurality of individual electrically conducting axial position sensor segments arranged in a circumferential pattern, and a second rotary sensor part arranged rotationally relative to the first portion and comprising a plurality of circumferentially arranged electrically interconnected axial position contacts adapted to be arranged in contact with the axial position sensor segments. The assembly further comprises actuator means for axially moving the axial position contacts between a connected and a dis-connected position, wherein the axial position contacts and the axial position sensor segments are arranged such that for a given rotational position at least two axial position contacts each are in contact with a different axial position sensor segment.

A rotary encoder includes a shaft and an encoder mechanism that holds the shaft in a rotatably inserted state and detects a rotation direction and a rotation angle of the shaft. The encoder mechanism includes a substrate that rotatably holds the shaft, an insulator portion and a resistor portion provided on one surface of the substrate and alternately provided in the rotation direction of the shaft, a rotor attached to the shaft so as to be integrally rotatable with the shaft, and a slider that is attached to the rotor and alternately slidably contacts the insulator portion and the resistor portion by rotation of the shaft. The insulator portion includes a base material made of a resin, spherical silica, and a fluororesin filler.

A rotary encoder includes a shaft and an encoder mechanism that holds the shaft in a rotatably inserted state and detects a rotation direction and a rotation angle of the shaft. The encoder mechanism includes a substrate that rotatably holds the shaft, an insulator portion and a resistor portion provided on one surface of the substrate and alternately provided in the rotation direction of the shaft, a rotor attached to the shaft so as to be integrally rotatable with the shaft, and a slider that is attached to the rotor and alternately slidably contacts the insulator portion and the resistor portion by rotation of the shaft. The insulator portion includes a base material made of a resin, spherical silica, and a fluororesin filler.

A position determining sensor unit having a number of sensors arranged at predetermined positions along a path, and a transducer. The transducer has a first end which is moveable at least along the entire path, and a length running parallel to the path. Each sensor has a first supply voltage connection, a second supply voltage connection and a switching output, and wherein the switching output is switched into an On-state or an Off-state as a function of the threshold value of a sensor signal being exceeded or undershot. The supply voltage connection of each sensor is connected to a supply voltage, and a first sensor is arranged at a beginning of the path and a last sensor is arranged at an end of the path so that the second supply voltage connection of the first sensor is connected to a reference potential and the first sensor has a power consumption.

In at least some implementations, a liquid level sensor, includes a liquid level responsive member that moves in response to changing liquid level, an electrically conductive contact associated with the liquid level responsive member, a circuit including a rectifying element and a) one or more conductive elements, or b) one or more resistive elements or c) one or more conductive elements and one or more resistive elements, wherein the contact is arranged to engage at least one of the elements in a, b, or c, and a power supply. The power supply is adapted to provide a voltage to the circuit causing a current flow in a first direction in the circuit wherein the current flows through the contact and to provide a current flow in a second direction in the circuit wherein the rectifying element prevents current flow through the contact.