Pressure gauge assembly
First Claim
1. A combination pressure indicator and valve assembly for aircraft tires comprising;
- means for attachment of the assembly to a wheel mounting member;
sensor means for sensing a pressure differential in fluidic contact with the pressurized fluid in the tire;
a secondary source of pressure operatively connected to the sensor means having substantially the same pressure temperature response characteristic as the fluid in the tire;
indicator output means responsive to the sensor means for providing an output representation of a predetermined pressure differential between the secondary source of pressure and the tire pressure,valve means for providing fluidic access to the interior of the tire, andmeans for compensating for volumetric changes in the tire volume during normal operation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pressure gauge assembly for aircraft tires and the like having a helical coil bourdon tube sensor capable of indicating a pressure differential between a monitored source of pressure and a calibrated reference source of pressure. The reference pressure is applied to one surface of the bourdon tube coils while the monitored pressure is applied to the other surface of the coils. The resultant movement is a linear indication of any pressure differential. A valve assembly can be provided with the pressure gauge assembly to permit fluidic access to the monitored pressure. If the volume of the monitored pressure is variable such as an aircraft tire, the secondary source of calibrated pressure can be provided with a predetermined pressure relative to the normal tire pressure to compensate for any volumetric changes in the tire during operation. In an alternative embodiment, the bourdon tube can be used to monitor the pressure in a fire extinguisher for indicating any leaks. Advantageously, dials are provided for a visual inspection to determine a go or no-go situation. Finally, the pressure gauge can be temperature compensated by providing the calibrated pressure source with a fluid having substantially the same pressure temperature response characteristics as the fluid in the monitored pressure chamber.
89 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A combination pressure indicator and valve assembly for aircraft tires comprising;
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means for attachment of the assembly to a wheel mounting member; sensor means for sensing a pressure differential in fluidic contact with the pressurized fluid in the tire; a secondary source of pressure operatively connected to the sensor means having substantially the same pressure temperature response characteristic as the fluid in the tire; indicator output means responsive to the sensor means for providing an output representation of a predetermined pressure differential between the secondary source of pressure and the tire pressure, valve means for providing fluidic access to the interior of the tire, and means for compensating for volumetric changes in the tire volume during normal operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A pressure indicator gauge for an aircraft tire comprising;
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means for attachment of the gauge to the tire; sensor means for sensing a pressure differential in fluidic contact with the pressurized fluid in the tire; means for compensating for volumetric changes in the tire volume during normal operation including a secondary source of pressure operatively connected to the sensor means and having a predetermined pressure relative to the tire pressure to compensate for any volumetric changes in the tire during operation, and indicator output means responsive to the sensor means for providing an output representation of any pressure differential between the secondary source of pressure and the tire that would indicate an underinflated tire. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A pressure indicator gauge comprising;
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means for attachment of the gauge to a first source pressure to be monitored; a bourdon tube sensing element for sending a pressure differential in fluidic contact with the pressurized fluid in the first pressure source; a secondary source of pressure also operatively in fluidic contact with the bourdon tube sensing element whereby both the interior and exterior surfaces of the bourdon tube sensing element are subject to pressure above atmospheric, wherein the secondary source of pressure is pressure charged approximately five to ten percent less than the pressure charge of the first source pressure at atmospheric pressure and 68°
F., andmeans for indicating any movement of the bourdon tube sensing element in response to a pressure differential between its interior and exterior surfaces. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A temperature compensated pressure indicator for determining any fluidic leaks from a pressurized storage container of fluid comprising;
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means for attachment of the pressure indicator to the storage container; bourdon coil sensor means for sensing a pressure differential in fluidic contact with the storage container; a secondary source of pressure operatively connected to the same bourdon coil sensor means having substantially the same pressure temperature response characteristics as the fluid in the storage container; a magnetic force field generating member operatively connected to the response of the sensor means, indicator output means responsive to the magnetic force field generating member for providing an output representation of any pressure differential between the secondary source of pressure and the storage container and means for compensating for volumetric changes in the storage container volume including connecting the secondary source of pressure to the interior of the bourdon coil, the secondary source of pressure being undercharged approximately five to ten percent below the pressure charge in the storage container at approximately 14.7 psia and 68°
F. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A hermetically sealed pressure indicator gauge comprising;
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means for attachment of the gauge to a first source pressure to be monitored; a bourdon tube sensing element for sensing a pressure differential in fluidic contact with the pressurized fluid in the first pressure source; a secondary source of pressure also operatively in fluidic contact with the bourdon tube sensing element whereby both the interior and exterior surfaces of the bourdon tube sensing element are subject to pressure above atmospheric; means for hermetically sealing the bourdon tube sensing element and secondary source of pressure to prevent any loss of the first source of pressure if either one of the bourdon tube sensing element and secondary source of pressure develops a leak, and means for indicating any movement of the bourdon tube sensing element in response to a pressure differential between its interior and exterior surfaces further including means for indicating a defective gauge. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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27. A combination pressure indicator and valve assembly for aircraft tires comprising;
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means for attachment of the assembly to a wheel mounting member including a housing assembly; sensor means for sensing a pressure differential in fluidic contact with the pressurized fluid in the tire; a secondary source of pressure operatively connected to the sensor means having substantially the same pressure temperature response characteristic as the fluid in the tire; indicator output means responsive to the sensor means for providing an output representation of a predetermined pressure differential between the secondary source of pressure and the tire pressure, the indicator output means includes a first magnet operatively mounted to the sensor means and mounted within the housing assembly and a second magnet mounted externally of the housing assembly and responsive to the position of the first magnet, and valve means for providing fluidic access to the interior of the tire. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
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30. A hermetically sealed pressure indicator gauge comprising;
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means for attachment of the gauge to a first source pressure to be monitored; a bourdon tube sensing element for sensing a pressure differential in fluidic contact with the pressurized fluid in the first pressure source; a secondary source of pressure also operatively in fluidic contact with the bourdon tube sensing element whereby both the interior and exterior surfaces of the bourdon tube sensing element are subject to pressure above atmospheric, the secondary source of pressure is pressure charged approximately five to ten percent less than the pressure charge of the first source pressure at atmospheric pressure and 68°
F;means for hermetically sealing the bourdon tube sensing element and secondary source of pressure to prevent any loss of the first source of pressure if either one of the bourdon tube sensing element and secondary source of pressure develops a leak, and means for indicating any movement of the bourdon tube sensing element in response to a pressure differential between its interior and exterior surfaces.
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Specification