Pneumatic operated switch having movable flag, switch actuator mounted thereon, and switch in chamber displaced from measured flow path

• US 4,107,492 A
• Filed: 05/05/1976
• Issued: 08/15/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Moon, William T. Jr., Goff, Clifford E., Bannon, Harry B., Rogers, Arden D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Scott, James R.
• Application Number:
  US05/683,623
• Time in Patent Office: 832 Days
• Field of Search: 200/83 L, 200/83 J, 200/82 E, 200/81.9 M, 200/84 C, 200/308, 200/61.52, 200/61.58 R, 200/82 R, 200/81 R, 200/83 R, 116/114 K, 116/114 PV, 116/117 R, 116/124 L, 116/70, 335/205, 210/90
• US Class Current: 200/81.90M
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/247 the switch being of the reed switch type
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/26 Details
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/16 Indicators for switching condition, e.g. "on" or "off"

Abstract

A pneumatic indicator device having a housing carrying a movable flag that in one position thereof visually indicates one pneumatic condition of the device and in another position thereof visually indicates another pneumatic condition of the device, the housing also carrying an electrical switch which is operatively associated with the movable flag so that the switch electrically indicates the positions of the flag for remote indication purposes.

Claims

1. In a pneumatic indicator device having a housing means carrying in a chamber thereof a movable flag that in one position visually indicates through a window means of said housing means one pneumatic condition of said device and in another position visually indicates through said window means another pneumatic condition of said device, said housing means carrying therein a pneumatically operated plunger that engages and moves said flag between said positions thereof in relation to said pneumatic conditions of said device, the improvement comprising electrical switch means carried in said housing means, said movable flag having means thereon that operates said switch means so that said switch means electrically indicates said positions of said flag, said housing means having bore means passing completely therethrough in a manner to partially intercept with said chamber and receiving said electrical switch means therein so that part of said switch means is exposed to said chamber, and sealing means disposed in said bore means to seal said bore means from the exterior of said housing means and secure said electrical switch means in said bore means of said housing means so that said part of said switch means is directly exposed to said chamber.

2. In a pneumatic indicator device as set forth in claim 1, said electrical switch means being magnetically operated, said means on said flag magnetically operating said switch means when said flag is in one of said positions thereof.

3. In a pneumatic indicator device as set forth in claim 2, said means on said flag comprising a magnet carried by said flag.

4. In a pneumatic indicator device as set forth in claim 2, said means on said flag comprising magnetic material carried by said flag, said housing means carrying a fixed magnet therein for operating said switch, said magnet material of said flag being disposed between said magnet and said switch to divert the magnet flux of said magnet away from said switch when said flag is in one of said positions thereof.

5. In a pneumatic indicator device having a housing means carrying therein a movable flag that in one position visually indicates through a window means of said housing means one pneumatic condition of said device and in another position visually indicates through said window means another pneumatic condition of said device, said housing means carrying therein a pneumatically operated plunger that engages and moves said flag between said positions thereof in relation to said pneumatic conditions of said device, the improvement comprising electrical switch means carried in said housing means, said movable flag having means thereon that operates said switch means so that said switch means electrically indicates said positions of said flag, said electrical switch means being magnetically operated, said means on said flag magnetically operating said switch means when said flag is in one of said positions thereof, said means on said flag comprising a magnet carried by said flag, said magnet being riveted to said flag by a single rivet, said flag carrying two other rivets adjacent said magnet to prevent rotation of said magnet about said single rivet thereof.