Variable differential adjustor

• US 7,339,126 B1
• Filed: 07/16/2007
• Issued: 03/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Trusty Warns, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Trusty Warns, Inc.
• Inventors: Niedermeyer, Karl O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedhofer; Michael A
• Application Number:
  US11/778,450
• Time in Patent Office: 232 Days
• Field of Search: 200/81.R, 200/81.9 R, 200/83.S, 200/83.SA, 200/83.T, 200/83.W, 200/82.R, 200/82.E, 200/61.86, 737/00, 737/26, 737/30, 737/32, 737/39, 737/40, 417/12, 417/38
• US Class Current: 200/81.00R
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 15/0218 the condition being a liquid level or a lack of liquid supply
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/2607 Means for adjustment of "ON" or "OFF" operating pressure means for adjustment of "ON" or "OFF" operating temperature of thermally actuated switches by varying bias on the thermal element due to a separate spring H01H37/18

Abstract

A variable differential adjustor for a fluid pressure-actuated switch, with the fluid, in the preferred form of the invention, being air. The restrictor has a restrictor housing having a passage through which a pressure source has a portion which passes on its way to a pressure-actuated switch. A restrictor is provided for engaging the portion of the pressure source passing through the restrictor housing and is adjustable to variably alter fluid flow through the pressure source portion. The restrictor comprises a screw-like plug in the pressure source portion which is acted upon by a tube throttle to variably alter the passageway past the plug. A gauge may be provided for determining adjustment of fluid flow.

Claims

1. A variable differential adjustor for a fluid pressure-actuated switch, comprising:

a. a restrictor housing having a passage therethrough,

b. a pressure source having a portion passing through said passage and connected to said pressure-actuated switch for directing fluid to and from said pressure-actuated switch,

c. a restrictor for engaging said pressure source portion, said restrictor being adjustable to variably alter fluid flow through said pressure source portion, and

d. a gauge located at least partially on said restrictor housing for determining adjustment of the fluid flow.

2. The variable differential adjustor according to claim 1, in which said gauge comprises a dial face on said restrictor, housing and a notable dial arm on said restrictor.

3. The variable differential adjustor according to claim 2, in which the restrictor includes an adjustable screw threadedly engaged in said restrictor housing, and surrounded by said dial face, said dial arm extending from said adjustable screw.

4. The variable differential adjustor according to claim 2, in which said dial face includes pressure gradation markings.

5. The variable differential adjustor according to claim 1, in which said pressure source portion comprises a flexible tube having an internal bore, and said restrictor includes an element located in said bore and a tube throttle in said restrictor housing external said tube and proximate said element.

6. The variable differential adjustor according to claim 5, in which said element comprises a plug engaged in said bore, said plug having at least one external fluid path.

7. The variable differential adjustor according to claim 6, in which said plug comprises a screw and said external fluid path comprises a helical thread in said screw.

8. The variable differential adjustor according to claim 7, in which said bore is smooth and said screw is engaged with said bore with threaded peaks, said path comprising a helical fluid pathway between said screw and said bore.

9. The variable differential adjustor according to claim 5, in which said tube throttle includes a pair of rigid half cylinders in said passage and sandwiching said tube therebetween, and a compressor member urging said half cylinders together.

10. The variable differential adjustor according to claim 9, in which said compressor member comprises an adjustable screw threaded engaged in said restrictor housing and bearing against one of said half cylinders.