Pressure responsive switch with discrete pressure responsive unit
First Claim
1. A pressure-responsive control device comprising base means, control means mounted on the base means and movable between first and second control positions, and snap-acting pressure-responsive means for moving the control means between said control positions in response to the application of a selected fluid pressure, characterized in that the pressure-responsive means is a discrete unit having separately testable pressure response characteristics and means mount the pressure-responsive means on the base means for moving the control means between said control positions in response to application of said selected fluid pressure, the pressure-responsive means comprising a support having an opening therein, diaphragm means disposed on the support and extending over the opening, port means disposed on one side of the diaphragm means in sealed relation to the diaphragm means forming a sealed chamber at said one side of the diaphragm means having a passage communicating with the chamber for exposing said one side of the diaphragm means to a fluid pressure to move the diaphragm means relative to said opening in response to said pressure, snap-acting means including a dished disc element mounted at an opposite side of the diaphragm means to be movable with snap-action between original and inverted dished configurations in response to movement of the diaphragm means when said selected fluid pressure is applied to the diaphragm means for moving the control means between said control positions, and means mounting the support and port and snap-acting means in fixed relation to each other and to the diaphragm means to form said discrete, separately testable pressure-responsive unit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A relatively low cost, high performance pressure responsive switch device comprises a base, switch means mounted on the base, and a discrete pressure-responsive unit which is separately testable for predetermining its pressure response characteristics and which is then mounted on the base for moving the switch means between selected switch positions in response to the application of a selected fluid pressure. The discrete pressure-responsive unit is particularly adapted for achieving long unit cycle life under high operating pressure conditions and for actuating the switch means incorporated in the device to achieve long cycle life as well.
30 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A pressure-responsive control device comprising base means, control means mounted on the base means and movable between first and second control positions, and snap-acting pressure-responsive means for moving the control means between said control positions in response to the application of a selected fluid pressure, characterized in that the pressure-responsive means is a discrete unit having separately testable pressure response characteristics and means mount the pressure-responsive means on the base means for moving the control means between said control positions in response to application of said selected fluid pressure, the pressure-responsive means comprising a support having an opening therein, diaphragm means disposed on the support and extending over the opening, port means disposed on one side of the diaphragm means in sealed relation to the diaphragm means forming a sealed chamber at said one side of the diaphragm means having a passage communicating with the chamber for exposing said one side of the diaphragm means to a fluid pressure to move the diaphragm means relative to said opening in response to said pressure, snap-acting means including a dished disc element mounted at an opposite side of the diaphragm means to be movable with snap-action between original and inverted dished configurations in response to movement of the diaphragm means when said selected fluid pressure is applied to the diaphragm means for moving the control means between said control positions, and means mounting the support and port and snap-acting means in fixed relation to each other and to the diaphragm means to form said discrete, separately testable pressure-responsive unit.
- 2. A pressure switch device comprising base means, switch means mounted on the base means and movable between first and second switch positions, snap-acting pressure-responsive means for moving the switch means between said switch positions in response to the application of a selected fluid pressure, characterized in that the pressure-responsive means is a discrete unit having separately testable pressure response characteristics, means mount the pressure-responsive unit on the base means, and motion transmitting means are disposed between the pressure responsive unit and said switch means for moving the switch means between said switch positions in response to application of said selected fluid pressure to the pressure responsive unit, the pressure-responsive unit comprising a support having an opening therein, diaphragm means disposed on the support extending over the opening gasket means having an opening larger than the support opening disposed on a first side of the diaphragm means opposite from the support in concentric relation to the support opening, port means disposed at said first side of the diaphragm means to bear against the gasket means and form a sealed chamber at said first side of the diaphragm means, the port means having a passage communicating with the chamber for exposing said first side of the diaphragm means to a fluid pressure to move the diaphragm means relative to the support opening in response to said pressure, a dished disc element disposed at an opposite side of the diaphragm means to be movable with snap action between original and inverted dished configurations for moving the switch means between said switch positions, force converter means disposed between the disc element and the diaphragm means having a force receiving portion of a first selected diameter disposed in the support opening to be responsive to movement of the diaphragm means and having an annular force applying portion of a second relatively larger diameter bearing against a corresponding diameter on one side of the disc element for transmitting said movement of the diaphragm means to the element, reaction means having a concentric annular reaction portion of a different diameter engaging such a corresponding diameter on an opposite side of the disc element permitting the disc element to move to said inverted dished configuration in response to application of said selected fluid pressure to the diaphragm means, and means mounting the support and disc element and the port, gasket, converter and reaction means in fixed relation to each other and to the diaphragm means to form said discrete, separately testable pressure-responsive unit.
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12. A pressure switch comprising a base;
- a switch mounted on the base to move between first and second switch positions;
motion transmitting means; and
a discrete pressure responsive unit having separately testable pressure response characteristics mounted on the base for moving the motion transmitting means to move the switch between said switch positions in response to application of a selected fluid pressure to the unit;
the pressure responsive unit comprising a support plate having an opening of selected diameter;
a plurality of flexible polyimide films disposed on the plate in superimposed relation to each other extending over the support opening to form a diaphragm;
an annular gasket having a selected inner diameter only slightly larger than the support opening disposed on one side of the diaphragm opposite the support concentric with the support opening;
a metal port body having a recess at one end fitted around the gasket and having integral means defining a passage communicating with the recess for connection to a pressure zone to be monitored, the recess having a bottom engaging the gasket to form a sealed pressure chamber at said one diaphragm side, having a side wall engaging an outer diameter of the gasket for limiting the chamber size, and forming an integral ring clamping the diaphragm around the recess to secure the diaphragm in a fixed location;
a dished disc element disposed at an opposite side of the diaphragm to be movable with snap action between original and inverted dished configurations;
a force converter having a force receiving portion of a first diameter substantially corresponding to the diameter of the support opening slidable in the opening to be movable in response to movement of the diaphragm, having a force applying portion of a second larger diameter engaging one side of the dished disc element for transmitting diaphragm movement to the element, and having a stop of a third larger diameter fitted around the disc element; and
a sleeve having a first integral inturned flange at one end having an annular reaction portion of relatively smaller diameter than the force applying portion of the force converter means engaging an opposite side of the dished disc element for permitting the element to move to its inverted dished configuration with snap action when said selected fluid pressure is applied to said one diaphragm side, having an opening therein receiving said motion transmitting means for transmitting said snap acting disc movement to said switch means, and having a portion for thereafter engaging the stop on the force converter for protecting the dished element against excessive pressures applied to the diaphragm, the sleeve having a shoulder formed therein intermediate the sleeve ends for receiving and positioning the support plate relative to the disc and force converter and said first sleeve flange, and the sleeve having a second, integral inturned flange at the opposite end thereof engaging said body clamping ring for securing the clamping ring and diaphragm and said support and gasket to each other to form said discrete pressure responsive unit. - View Dependent Claims (13)
- a switch mounted on the base to move between first and second switch positions;
Specification