Temperature adjusting low pressure sensor
First Claim
1. A temperature compensating low pressure sensing device for sensing a change in a mass of a fluid of a pressurized vessel due to a leak in the vessel, comprising:
- a housing disposed within the pressurized vessel;
a pressure diaphragm attached to said housing in communication with the fluid in the pressurized vessel;
a retainer in contact with said pressure diaphragm and movably disposed within said housing;
a temperature sensitive thermostat movably disposed within said housing, said thermostat moving in relation to a change in temperature of the fluid;
contact means for providing contact between said diaphragm and said thermostat; and
spring means disposed in said housing in communication with said retainer for counteracting the movement of said thermostat due to a change in temperature of the fluid, wherein when said diaphragm is acted upon by a shift in pressure due to a temperature change of the fluid, said spring means moves said pressure diaphragm at the same rate as said thermostat to maintain contact between said thermostat and said contact means.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A temperature compensating low pressure sensor for verifying loss of gas from an inflator of a vehicle restraint safety system. The sensor includes a housing and a pressure diaphragm in communication with the fluid in the inflator. A temperature sensitive bimetallic thermostat is disposed within the housing. The thermostat expands with relation to a change in temperature of the fluid at the same rate as the pressure diaphragm. A retainer in communication with the pressure diaphragm is movably disposed in the housing. A stack of spring washers is disposed between the retainer and the thermostat for counteracting the pressure of the fluid acting upon the diaphragm. A contact arm in contact with the thermostat moves with the retainer. When the diaphragm is acted upon by a shift in pressure due to a temperature change of the fluid, the thermostat moves at the same rate as the pressure diaphragm and the contact arm remains in contact with the thermostat, thus avoiding an alarm indication due merely to a drop in pressure related to a temperature change of the fluid.
23 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A temperature compensating low pressure sensing device for sensing a change in a mass of a fluid of a pressurized vessel due to a leak in the vessel, comprising:
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a housing disposed within the pressurized vessel; a pressure diaphragm attached to said housing in communication with the fluid in the pressurized vessel; a retainer in contact with said pressure diaphragm and movably disposed within said housing; a temperature sensitive thermostat movably disposed within said housing, said thermostat moving in relation to a change in temperature of the fluid; contact means for providing contact between said diaphragm and said thermostat; and spring means disposed in said housing in communication with said retainer for counteracting the movement of said thermostat due to a change in temperature of the fluid, wherein when said diaphragm is acted upon by a shift in pressure due to a temperature change of the fluid, said spring means moves said pressure diaphragm at the same rate as said thermostat to maintain contact between said thermostat and said contact means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A temperature compensating low pressure sensing device for sensing a change in a mass of a fluid of a pressurized inflator of a vehicle safety restraint assembly, comprising:
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a housing disposed within the pressurized inflator; a pressure diaphragm attached to said housing in communication with the fluid in the pressurized inflator; a retainer in contact with said pressure diaphragm and movably disposed within said housing; a temperature sensitive thermostat movably disposed within said housing, said thermostat moving in relation to a change in temperature of the fluid; contact means for providing contact between said diaphragm and said thermostat; and spring means disposed in said housing in communication with said retainer for counteracting the movement of said thermostat due to a change in temperature of the fluid, wherein when said diaphragm is acted upon by a shift in pressure due to a temperature change of the fluid, said spring means moves said pressure diaphragm at the same rate as said thermostat to maintain contact between said thermostat and said contact means.
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Specification