Differential pressure apparatus for detecting accumulation of particulates in a filter
First Claim
1. An apparatus for detecting accumulation of particulates in a fluid stream, said apparatus comprising:
- a strainer housing having an interior through which said fluid stream passes between an inlet and an outlet, and a threaded opening in communication with said interior;
a filter situated intermediate said inlet and said outlet capable of collecting said particulates in said fluid stream; and
a differential pressure switch capable of detecting a pressure difference between an upstream side of said filter and a downstream side of said filter and producing a signal upon detection of a predetermined pressure differential, said pressure switch comprising;
a body insertable into said threaded opening of said strainer housing wherein said body has an interior with a first port in communication with said fluid stream upstream of said filter and a second port in communication with said fluid stream downstream of said filter;
a diaphragm positioned in said body between said two ports to flex with changing pressure;
a pair of normally separated electrical contacts and means associated with said diaphragm to cause engaging of said contacts upon sufficient flexure of said diaphragm; and
signal producing means activated upon closure of said contacts to produce a signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and a method are provided for detecting accumulation of particulates in a fluid stream. A differential pressure switch is incorporated in the apparatus for detecting changes in pressure in the fluid stream passing through a strainer having a filter wherein the particulates accumulate at the filter. A body is insertable into a wall of the strainer wherein the body is in communication with the fluid stream. A pressure responsive device is responsive to changes in pressure in the fluid stream due to accumulation of the particulates. A signal producing device is activated to produce a signal upon detection of a predetermined pressure differential in the fluid.
103 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for detecting accumulation of particulates in a fluid stream, said apparatus comprising:
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a strainer housing having an interior through which said fluid stream passes between an inlet and an outlet, and a threaded opening in communication with said interior; a filter situated intermediate said inlet and said outlet capable of collecting said particulates in said fluid stream; and a differential pressure switch capable of detecting a pressure difference between an upstream side of said filter and a downstream side of said filter and producing a signal upon detection of a predetermined pressure differential, said pressure switch comprising; a body insertable into said threaded opening of said strainer housing wherein said body has an interior with a first port in communication with said fluid stream upstream of said filter and a second port in communication with said fluid stream downstream of said filter; a diaphragm positioned in said body between said two ports to flex with changing pressure; a pair of normally separated electrical contacts and means associated with said diaphragm to cause engaging of said contacts upon sufficient flexure of said diaphragm; and signal producing means activated upon closure of said contacts to produce a signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for detecting accumulation of particulates in a fluid stream, said apparatus comprising:
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a strainer housing having an interior through which said fluid stream passes between an inlet and an outlet and a threaded opening in communication with said interior; a filter situated intermediate said inlet and said outlet capable of collecting said particulates in said fluid stream; and a differential pressure switch capable of detecting a pressure difference between an upstream side of said filter and a downstream side of said filter and producing a signal upon detection of a predetermined pressure differential, said pressure switch comprising; a body insertable into said threaded opening of said strainer housing wherein said body has an interior with a first port forming an open end of said body in communication with said fluid stream upstream of said filter and a second port in communication with said fluid stream downstream of said filter; a diaphragm positioned to cover said open end of said body between said two ports to flex with changing pressure; a pair of normally separated electrical contacts and a push rod in contact with said diaphragm wherein said push rod carries a first of said contacts and is arranged to move with said diaphragm when said diaphragm flexes to cause said first contact to engage a second of said contacts which is stationarily mounted in said body upon sufficient flexure of said diaphragm; and signal producing means activated upon closure of said contacts to produce a signal. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus for detecting accumulation of particulates in a fluid stream, said apparatus comprising:
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a strainer housing having an interior through which said fluid stream passes between an inlet and an outlet and a threaded opening in communication with said interior; a filter situated intermediate said inlet and said outlet capable of collecting said particulates in said fluid stream; and a differential pressure switch capable of detecting a pressure difference between an upstream side of said filter and a downstream side of said filter and producing a signal upon detection of a predetermined pressure differential, said pressure switch comprising; a body insertable into said threaded opening of said strainer housing wherein said body has an interior with a first port forming an open end of said body in communication with said fluid stream upstream of said filter and a second port in communication with said fluid stream downstream of said filter; a diaphragm positioned to cover said open end of said body between said two ports to flex with changing pressure; a pair of normally separated electrical contacts and a magnet in contact with said diaphragm wherein said magnet is arranged to move with said diaphragm when said diaphragm flexes and wherein one of said electrical contacts includes a magnetically attractable connector which is normally biased away from the other of said contacts, but which is attracted towards and into contact with said other of said contacts when said magnet is moved towards said connector upon sufficient flexure of said diaphragm; and signal producing means activated upon closure of said contacts to produce signal. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification