SWITCH CLOSURE DEVICE FOR METERS

• US 3,835,372 A
• Filed: 05/14/1973
• Issued: 09/10/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: America Meter Company
• Original Assignee: John D. Adair
• Inventors: Adair, John D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Alfred E.
• Application Number:
  US05/360,247
• Time in Patent Office: 484 Days
• Field of Search: 324/157,153 340/203 200/153,156 335/205 307/132,106 73/194E
• US Class Current: 324/419
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 36/0006 Permanent magnet actuating reed switches H01H35/147 takes precedence

Abstract

A switch closure device mounted on an index box in which the motion of an index arm turns a wheel which in turn causes a magnet to activate a reed switch. The components of the switch closure device adjacent to the index are made of clear polycarbonate plastic so as not to obscure the reading of the index. The wheel and magnet assembly are mounted internally of the index box, while the reed switch and the terminal block are mounted externally thereof. Safety of operation is assured since the switch is separated from the fluid in the meter by three seals: the stuffing box, the index box and the glass which encapsulates the reed switch. The switch closure device can provide any one of a number of pulses per unit volume, as for example, every 10, 100 or 1,000 cubic feet of metered gas.

Claims

1. An operative switch closure device connectable to a meter or to a tester, and operative responsive the rotation of the meter or test index hand means, said switch closure device comprising:

a. an index box detachably connected to either the meter or the tester, and disposed over the index hand means, b. the index box having a wall defining an internal side and an external side, c. a terminal box is affixed to the external side of the index box, d. a reed switch is mounted on the external side of the wall of the terminal box adjacent the internal side thereof, e. a wheel rotatively mounted on the internal side of the wall of the index box in super position to the index hand means, f. a pin means projecting from the wheel across the path of travel of the index hand means whereby rotation of the index hand will result in rotation of the wheel, g. an arm pivotally connected at one end thereof to the internal side of the wall of the index box, and in contact with and driven by the wheel, h. a magnet carried on the other end of the driven arm to transcribe a path across the reed switch to actuate the same in a predetermined sequence with respect to the rotation of the index hand means, and i. terminal means carried in the terminal box are electrically connected through the terminal box in circuit with the reed switch, and adapted to be connected to place said switch closure device in circuit for operation.

2. The combination claimed in claim 1 wherein:

a. the wheel is eccentricly mounted with a circular circumference, b. the arm horizontally contacts the wheel at diametrically opposite points to be driven thereby in a predetermined ratio to move the magnet across the reed switch in a selective number of passes per revolution of the index hand.

3. The combination claimed in claim 1 wherein:

a. the pin is formed integrally on the wheel in a pair, one on either side of the index hand to entrap the hand between the pins for positive connection therebetween.