Flow switch with variable orifice
AssigneeBarksdale, Inc.
InventorMichael Sowada
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A flow switch includes a base body, an orifice body which is moveable relative to the base body, and a spring connected to the orifice body. The orifice body has an opening that is variable in size with movement of the orifice body. In exemplary embodiments, a projection, such as a rod, is fixed relative to the base body and the spring is configured such that, at a first volumetric flow rate at least a distal end of the projection extends through the opening, and at a second volumetric flow rate which is higher than the first volumetric flow rate, the projection is located wholly outside of the orifice body.
Claims19
A flow switch comprising:
- a base body;
- an orifice body which is moveable relative to the base body and includes an opening;
- a spring connected to the orifice body;
- and
- a projection fixed relative to the orifice body, wherein the projection extends, at least in part, through the opening in the orifice body when the office body is in a first position, and the projection is located entirely outside of the orifice body when the orifice body is in a second position, thereby varying a size of the opening with the relative movement of the orifice body.
A flow switch comprising:
- a base body configured to accommodate a flow of a fluid;
- an orifice body which is moveable relative to the base body, said orifice body comprising an opening;
- a spring connected to the orifice body and biased against an intended direction of the flow of the fluid through the base body;
- and
- a projection fixed relative to the orifice body, wherein the spring is configured such that, at a first volumetric flow rate, at least a distal end of the projection protrudes through the opening and into the orifice body, and at a second volumetric flow rate which is higher than the first volumetric flow rate, the projection is located entirely outside of the orifice body.
A method for operating a flow switch, said method comprising:
- providing the flow switch along a flow of a fluid, said flow switch comprising:
- a base body;
- an orifice body which is moveable relative to the base body;
- and
- a spring connected to the orifice body;
- wherein the orifice body comprises an opening that is variable in size with movement of the orifice body;
- providing the flow of the fluid at a first volumetric flow rate such that the opening has a first size;
- and
- providing the flow of the fluid at a second volumetric flow rate which is higher than the first volumetric flow rate such that the opening has to a second size which is larger than the first size.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.