# US 9,882,326 B2 · Configurable switch emulator module > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,882,326 B2 - Document ID: US9882326B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/448,817 - Filed: 2014-07-31 - Published: 2015-02-05 - Granted: 2018-01-30 - Earliest claimed: 2013-08-01 - Assignees: General Equipment and Manufacturing Company, Inc. - Applicants: General Equipment and Manufacturing Company, Inc. - Inventors: Robert Lynn LaFountain; Scott Carpenter - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9882326B2 ## CPC - F16K 37/0033: {using a permanent magnet, e.g. in combination with a reed relays} - G01D 5/2525: {with magnetically controlled switches, e.g. by movement of a magnet} - H01H 36/0073: {actuated by relative movement between two magnets} - H01H 36/008: {Change of magnetic field wherein the magnet and switch are fixed, e.g. by shielding or relative movements of armature (for reed switches H01H36/002)} - H01H 36/02: actuated by movement of a float carrying a magnet - H01R 29/00: Coupling parts for selective co-operation with a counterpart in different ways to establish different circuits, e.g. for voltage selection, for series-parallel selection, {programmable connectors} - G01D 5/06: acting through a wall or enclosure, e.g. by bellows, by magnetic coupling - G05D 7/0635: {by action on throttling means (G05D7/0688, G05D7/0694 take precedence)} - Y10T 137/8242: Electrical - F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)} - G01D: MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS - G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A target detection assembly includes a detection member adapted to generate a first input signal, and an emulator module is removably secured to the detection member. The emulator module includes an emulator housing assembly removably secured to the detection member and a selection portion is disposed on the emulator housing assembly. The selection portion is configured to be oriented in a first and second selection mode. In the first selection mode, a first emulation circuit disposed within the emulator housing assembly receives the first input signal, processes the first input signal, and outputs a first output signal that is different than the first input signal. In the second selection mode, a second emulation circuit disposed within the emulator housing assembly receives the first input signal, processes the first input signal, and outputs a second output signal that is different than the first input signal and the first output signal. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A target detection assembly comprising: a detection member adapted to generate a first input signal, the detection member including a plutality of contact arms; an emulator module removably secured to the detection member and communicatively coupled to the detection member, the emulator module comprising: an emulator housing assembly removably secured to the detection member; and a selection portion comprising a first plurality of slots and a second plurality of slots offset from the first plutality of slots, each of the first and second pluralities of slots formed in the emulator housing assembly, the selection portion configured to be oriented in a first selection mode when each of the plurality of contact arms of the detection member is received in a corresponding one of the first plurality of slots and a second selection mode when each of the plurality of contact arms of the detection member is received in a corresponding one of the second plurality of slots, wherein in the first selection mode, a first emulation circuit disposed within the emulator housing assembly receives the first input signal, processes the first input signal, and outputs a first output signal that is different than the first input signal, and in the second selection mode, a second emulation circuit disposed within the emulator housing assembly receives the first input signal, processes the first input signal, and outputs a second output signal that is different than the first input signal and the first output signal. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The target detection assembly of claim 1, wherein the detection member includes a switch housing, and wherein the plurality of contact arms extend longitudinally from an end of the switch housing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The target detection assembly of claim 1, wherein the selection portion includes a third plurality of slots that are adapted to receive the plurality of contact arms of the detection member, and wherein the selection portion is configured to be oriented in a third selection mode in which each of the plurality of contact arms of the detection member is received in a corresponding one of the third plurality of slots, and wherein in the third selection mode, a third emulation circuit disposed within the emulator housing assembly receives the first input signal, processes the first input signal, and outputs a third output signal that is different than the first input signal, the first output signal, and the second output signal. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The target detection assembly of claim 1, the emulator module further comprising an indicator element coupled to the emulator housing assembly and in communication with the first emulation circuit and the second emulation circuit, the indicator element configured to display a first indicia if the selection portion is in the first selection mode and a second indicia if the selection portion is in the second selection mode. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The target detection assembly of claim 4, wherein the selection portion is configured to be oriented in a third selection mode, wherein in the third selection mode, a third emulation circuit disposed within the emulator housing assembly receives the first input signal, processes the first input signal, and outputs a third output signal that is different than the first input signal, the first output signal, and the second output signal, and wherein the indicator element is configured to display a third indicia if the selection portion is in the third selection mode. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The target detection assembly of claim 1, wherein the detection member is a magnetically-actuated proximity switch. ### Claim 7 A control valve assembly comprising: a control valve having a valve housing that defines a valve interior; a displaceable closure element disposed at least partially within the valve interior, the closure element secured to a displaceable valve stem; a target secured to the valve stem; a target detection assembly secured to the valve housing, the target detection assembly comprising: a detection member adapted to generate a first input signal when the target is within a predetermined distance of the detection member or is outside of the predetermined distance of the detection member,the detection member having a plutality of contact arms; an emulator module removably secured to the detection member and communicatively coupled to the detection member, the emulator module comprising: an emulator housing assembly removably secured to the detection member; and a selection portion comprising a first plurality of slots and a second plutality of slots offset from the first plutality of slots, each of the first and second pluralities of slots formed in the emulator housing assembly, the selection portion configured to be oriented in a first selection mode when each of the plurality of contact arms of the detection member is received in a corresponding one of the first plurality of slots and a second selection mode when each of the plurality of contact arms of the detection member is received in a corresponding one of the second plurality of slots, wherein in the first selection mode, a first emulation circuit disposed within the emulator housing assembly receives the first input signal, processes the first input signal, and outputs a first output signal that is different than the first input signal, and in the second selection mode, a second emulation circuit disposed within the emulator housing assembly receives the first input signal, processes the first input signal, and outputs a second output signal that is different than the first input signal and the first output signal. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The control valve assembly of claim 7, wherein the detection member includes a switch housing, and wherein the plurality of contact arms extend longitudinally from an end of the switch housing. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The control valve assembly of claim 7, wherein the emulator housing assembly includes a third plurality of slots that are adapted to receive the plurality of contact arms of the detection member, and wherein the selection portion is configured to be oriented in a third selection mode in which each of the plurality of contact arms of the detection member is received in a corresponding one of the third plurality of slots, and wherein in the third selection mode, a third emulation circuit disposed within the emulator housing assembly receives the first input signal, processes the first input signal, and outputs a third output signal that is different than the first input signal, the first output signal, and the second output signal. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The control valve assembly of claim 7, the emulator module further comprising an indicator element coupled to the emulator housing assembly and in communication with the first emulation circuit and the second emulation circuit, the indicator element configured to display a first indicia if the selection portion is in the first selection mode and a second indicia if the selection portion is in the second selection mode. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The control valve assembly of claim 10, wherein the selection portion is configured to be oriented in a third selection mode, wherein in the third selection mode, a third emulation circuit disposed within the emulator housing assembly receives the first input signal, processes the first input signal, and outputs a third output signal that is different than the first input signal, the first output signal, and the second output signal, and wherein the indicator element is configured to display a third indicia if the selection portion is in the third selection mode. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The control valve assembly of claim 7, wherein the detection member is a magnetically-actuated proximity switch. ### Claim 13 A method of configuring an output of a target detection assembly adapted to detect when a target is within a predetermined range of the target detection assembly, the method comprising: securing a detection member to an emulator housing assembly of an emulator module; selecting a first selection mode in which the detection member is communicatively coupled to a first emulation circuit disposed within the emulator housing assembly, the first emulation circuit being adapted to receive a first input signal from the detection member, process the first input signal, and output a first output signal that is different than the first input signal; selecting a second selection mode in which the detection member is communicatively coupled to a second emulation circuit disposed within the emulator housing assembly, the second emulation circuit being adapted to receive the first input signal, process the first input signal, and output a second output signal that is different than the first input signal and the first output signal, wherein selecting a first selection mode includes inserting each of a plurality of contact arms of the detection member in a corresponding one of a first plurality of slots formed in the emulator housing assembly, and wherein selecting a second selection mode includes inserting each of the plurality of contact arms of the detection member in a corresponding one of a second plurality of slots formed in the emulator housing assembly and offset from the first plurality of slots. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising: selecting a third selection mode in which the detection member is communicatively coupled to a third emulation circuit disposed within the emulator housing assembly, the third emulation circuit being adapted to receive the first input signal, process the first input signal, and output a third output signal that is different than the first input signal, the first output signal, and the second output signal. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising: displaying a first indicia on an indicator element coupled to the emulator housing assembly when the first selection mode is selected; and displaying second indicia on the indicator element coupled to the emulator housing assembly when the second selection mode is selected.