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US 10,539,441 B2Granted
Flow or level sensor/switch system
OwnerThomas R. Duksainventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A flow or level switch comprises a sensor/switch assembly which is adapted for mounting in connection with either a fitting having an offset defining a channel to detect fluid flow through an orifice into the channel or a tank having a ball float to detect the level of the ball float in the tank. A switch module comprises a control rod which reciprocates and activates a switch unit having a bi-positionable contact member. A follower, which may be in the form of an axle with an angularly fixed projection, engages the control rod to cause the contact member to move.
Claims19
A sensor/switch assembly comprising:
- a fitting having an inlet and an outlet with an offset defining a channel and interiorly having a structure forming an annular orifice so that fluid can communicate from said inlet to said outlet through said orifice and channel;
- a switch module comprising:
- a control member partially received in said channel and having a shuttle engageable with said structure and displaceable therefrom and an intermediate collar;
- a mount assembly mountable to said offset and slidably receiving said control member for reciprocal movement therein;
- a spring assembly comprising a first spring exerting a first force between said shuttle and said collar and a second spring exerting a second force between said mount assembly and said collar, said first force being greater than said second force;
- a contact module defining a bi-positionable contact member contactable against a first contact or a second contact and having an actuator which is actuatable by a lever to move said contact member;
- a pivotal follower which engages said control member and is pivoted by the position of said control member to displace said lever;
- so that when fluid flows from said inlet through said orifice above a flow set point dynamic pressure, said contact member moves to a changed contact position and maintains said changed contact position until said flow pressure is reduced below said set point pressure.
5 more elements
A sensor/switch assembly comprising:
- a tank having a ball float;
- a fitting mounted to said tank and defining a central bore with a base;
- a switch module comprising:
- a bracket assembly mounted to said base and engageable against said float;
- a control member slidably received in said bore and connectable to said bracket assembly;
- a mount assembly extending from said fitting slidably receiving said control member for reciprocal movement therein so that said control member extends therethrough;
- a switch unit sealingly mounted to said mount assembly comprising a bi-positionable contact member contactable against a first contact or a second contact and having an actuator which is actuatable to move said contact member from the first contact position to the second contact position;
- a pivotal follower which engages said control member and is pivoted by the position of said control member to displace said actuator;
- so that when the ball float changes position, said contact member moves from the first contact position to the second contact position.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.