Pressure switch diaphragm sensing element suitable for vacuum applications
AssigneeEaton Intelligent Power Limited
InventorMarc Asselin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A pressure switch includes a diaphragm sensing element disposed within a chamber to sealingly separate switching components from a passage. The diaphragm sensing element includes a convolution section that controls movement of a deflection section between neutral and pressurized positions. The pressure switch includes a reverse stop for limiting travel of the deflection section when exposed to negative pressure. A stationary seal element may be disposed at the reverse stop to further limit exposure of the convolution section of the diaphragm sensing element to negative pressure.
Claims22
A pressure switch comprising:
- a body defining a passage leading from a first fitting end of the body to a chamber, the body holding a switching component;
- a seal element disposed within the chamber and surrounding an open end of the passage, the seal element being held fixed relative to the body;
- and
- a diaphragm sensing element disposed within the chamber to sealingly separate the switching component from the passage, the diaphragm sensing element having a convolution section extending outwardly from a deflection section, the deflection section traveling along a deflection axis between a pressurized position and a sealed position as the convolution section flexes within the chamber, wherein the deflection section of the diaphragm sensing element is spaced from the seal element when in the pressurized position and seals against the seal element when in the sealed position.
A pressure sensing system comprising:
- a conduit for conveying media;
- a pressure switch body having a fitting end coupled to the conduit, the pressure switch body defining a passage in communication with the conduit;
- and
- a diaphragm sensing element disposed within the pressure switch body and defining a chamber between the diaphragm sensing element and the passage, the diaphragm sensing element being flexible relative to the pressure switch body between a pressurized state and a sealed state, the diaphragm sensing element being flexed to the pressurized state when exposed to a pressurized media conveyed through the conduit, the diaphragm sensing element being flexed to the sealed state when exposed to a vacuum via the conduit and the passage, the diaphragm sensing element contacting media within the chamber when disposed in the pressurized state, the diaphragm sensing element prohibiting a media draw between the chamber and the passage when disposed in the sealed state.
A method of sensing pressure in a conduit comprising:
- diverting media passing through the conduit into a chamber bounded by a diaphragm sensing element;
- actuating a switch component to indicate a presence of pressure within the conduit based on the deflection of the diaphragm sensing element;
- and
- automatically sealing the chamber from the conduit with the diaphragm sensing element when the conduit is exposed to a vacuum.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.