Variable differential adjustor

• US 7,700,887 B2
• Filed: 04/18/2007
• Issued: 04/20/2010
• 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:
  US11/736,955
• Publication Number:
  US 20080257708A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,098 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.

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, and

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

2. 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.

3. The variable differential adjustor according to claim 2, in which said element comprises a plug engaged in said bore, said plug having at least one external fluid path.

4. The variable differential adjustor according to claim 3, in which said plug comprises a screw and said external fluid path comprises a helical thread in said screw.

5. The variable differential adjustor according to claim 4, 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.

6. The variable differential adjustor according to claim 2, 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.

7. The variable differential adjustor according to claim 6, in which said compressor member comprises an adjustable screw threaded engaged in said restrictor housing and bearing against one of said half cylinders.

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

a. a restrictor housing having a passage therethrough,

b. a flexible tube having an internal bore and passing through said passage, said tube being connected to said pressure-actuated switch for directing fluid to and from said pressure-actuated switch, and

c. a restrictor having a plug engaged in said bore and located in said passage, said plug having at least one external fluid path.

9. The variable differential adjustor according to claim 8, in which said plug comprises a screw and said external fluid path comprises a helical thread in said screw.

10. The variable differential adjustor according to claim 9, 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.

11. The variable differential adjustor according to claim 8, in which said restrictor includes a tube throttle external said tube and proximate said plug.

12. The variable differential adjustor according to claim 11, 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.

13. The variable differential adjustor according to claim 12, in which said compressor member comprises an adjustable screw threaded engaged in said restrictor housing and bearing against one of said half cylinders.

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

a. a restrictor housing having a passage therethrough,

b. a flexible tube having an internal bore and passing through said passage, said tube being connected to said pressure-actuated switch for directing fluid to and from said pressure-actuated switch, and

c. a restrictor comprising

i. a plug engaged in said bore and located in said passage, said plug having at least one external fluid path, and

ii. a tube throttle, external said tube said tube and proximate said plug, said tube throttle having means for squeezing said tube against said plug.

15. The variable differential adjustor according to claim 14, in which said plug comprises a screw and said external fluid path comprises a helical thread in said screw.

16. The variable differential adjustor according to claim 15, 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.

17. The variable differential adjustor according to claim 14, 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.

18. The variable differential adjustor according to claim 17, in which said compressor member comprises an adjustable screw threaded engaged in said restrictor housing and bearing against one of said half cylinders.

19. The variable differential adjustor according to claim 18, in which said squeezing means comprises said half cylinders and said adjustable screw.