Mechanical water sensor
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsMatthew J. Sanford, Keith B. Lewis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A water sensor includes a housing that has at least one inlet port formed therein for allowing water to pass therethrough when submerged in water. A drive piston is mounted in the housing for sliding engagement therein. A water-activated driver is coupled to the drive piston and is in communication with the inlet port(s). The water-activated driver is inert in air and reactive with water to exert pressure on the drive piston and so that the drive piston moves in the housing. A movable indicator is mounted relative to the housing and is positioned to be responsive to movement of the drive piston. The movable indicator moves from a first position to a second position in response to movement of the drive piston.
Claims20
A water sensor, comprising:
- a housing that has at least one inlet port formed therein for allowing water to pass therethrough when said at least one inlet port is submerged in water;
- a piston mounted in said housing for sliding engagement therein;
- a rod coupled on a first end thereof to a first face of said piston, said rod extending through said housing to a second end of said rod residing outside of said housing;
- a positioner for fixing an initial position of said rod relative to said housing before said housing is submerged in water;
- and
- an expander in communication with a second face of said piston opposite said first face and in communication with said at least one inlet port, said expander being inert in air and reactive with water to generate a pressure force on said second face which causes said positioner to yield said initial position and said piston to move in said housing, whereby movement of said piston causes said rod to further protrude from said housing.
A water sensor, comprising:
- a housing that has at least one inlet port formed therein for allowing water to pass therethrough when said at least one inlet port is submerged in water;
- a drive piston mounted in said housing for sliding engagement therein;
- a water-activated driver coupled to said drive piston and in communication with said at least one inlet port, said water-activated driver being inert in air and reactive with water to exert pressure on said drive piston and move said drive piston in said housing;
- and
- a movable indicator mounted relative to said housing and responsive to movement of said drive piston, said movable indicator moving from a first position to a second position in response to said movement of said drive piston wherein said second position is indicative of the condition of said at least one inlet port being submerged in water.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.