Liquid level switch assembly
First Claim
1. A liquid level switch assembly adapted for attachment to a tank, comprising:
- (a) a support bracket having a first end adapted for attachment to the tank and a second end adapted for communication with the interior of the tank;
(b) a float arm having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end having a pivot axle rotatably connected with said second end of said support bracket to define a pivot axis through said pivot axle about which said float arm pivots;
(c) a magnet having magnetic poles defining a polar axis, said magnet adjustably mounted to said float arm such that the angular position of said polar axis of said magnet relative to said float arm can be readily adjusted;
(d) a magnetically actuated switch attached to said second end of said support bracket and positioned relative to the pivot axis of said float arm such that when said float arm is in a predetermined range of angular position relative to said support bracket, the position of said polar axis of said magnet relative to said switch is such to actuate said switch; and
(e) a carrier ring that is snugly fit concentrically around part of said pivot axle such that rotation of said pivot axle rotates said ring but such that said ring can be rotated relative to said pivot axle when said pivot axle is retained as said ring is rotated; and
wherein said magnet is fixed to said ring.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A liquid level switch assembly is provided which can be adjusted as to what liquid level will actuate the switch. A support bracket is mountable to the tank and a float arm is pivotally mounted to the support bracket inside the tank by way of a pivot axle. A magnet is mounted to the pivot axle such that the magnet rotates as the float arm pivots to follow the liquid level on the tank but such that the angular position of the poles of the magnet can be adjusted relative to the float arm when the float arm is retained as the magnet is rotated. A reed switch is mounted on the support bracket near the magnet such that when the float arm is in a predetermined range of angular position relative to the horizontal, the reed switch is actuated by the magnet.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A liquid level switch assembly adapted for attachment to a tank, comprising:
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(a) a support bracket having a first end adapted for attachment to the tank and a second end adapted for communication with the interior of the tank; (b) a float arm having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end having a pivot axle rotatably connected with said second end of said support bracket to define a pivot axis through said pivot axle about which said float arm pivots; (c) a magnet having magnetic poles defining a polar axis, said magnet adjustably mounted to said float arm such that the angular position of said polar axis of said magnet relative to said float arm can be readily adjusted; (d) a magnetically actuated switch attached to said second end of said support bracket and positioned relative to the pivot axis of said float arm such that when said float arm is in a predetermined range of angular position relative to said support bracket, the position of said polar axis of said magnet relative to said switch is such to actuate said switch; and (e) a carrier ring that is snugly fit concentrically around part of said pivot axle such that rotation of said pivot axle rotates said ring but such that said ring can be rotated relative to said pivot axle when said pivot axle is retained as said ring is rotated; and
wherein said magnet is fixed to said ring. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A liquid level switch assembly adapted for attachment to a tank, comprising:
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(a) a support bracket having a first end adapted for attachment to the tank and a second end adapted for communication with the interior of the tank; (b) a float arm having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end having a pivot axle rotatably connected with said second end of said support bracket to define a pivot axis through said pivot axle about which said float arm pivots; (c) a magnet having magnetic poles defining a polar axis, said magnet adjustably mounted to said float arm such that the angular position of said polar axis of said magnet relative to said float arm can be readily adjusted, said magnet having a hole through which the pivot axle is disposed; (d) a magnetically actuated switch attached to said second end of said support bracket and positioned relative to the pivot axis of said float arm such that when said float arm is in a predetermined range of angular position relative to said support bracket, the position of said polar axis of said magnet relative to said switch is such to actuate said switch. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification