Pivoted float liquid level sensor having a magnetically actuated switch
First Claim
1. A liquid level sensor for use with a container, comprising:
- a housing including a body defining an interior volume, the housing extending through a wall of the container;
a switch actuated by an applied magnetic flux field to a closed position, the switch being disposed within the interior volume of the housing so that it is not contacted by fluid within the container;
a float including a body, a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
a pivot assembly pivotably coupling the housing and the first end of the float such that the float is pivotable about the pivot assembly between a first position and a second position;
a magnet disposed within the pivot assembly; and
a shunt disposed within the first end of the float body,wherein the shunt is disposed between the magnet and the switch in the first position of the float, thereby shielding the switch from the magnetic flux field of the magnet such that the switch is in an open position.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A liquid level sensor for use with a container, including a housing with a body defining an interior volume, a switch actuated by an applied magnetic flux field to a closed position, the switch being disposed within the interior volume of the housing, and a float including a body, a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A pivot assembly includes a magnet and couples the housing and the first end of the float such that the float is pivotable about the pivot assembly between a first position and a second position, and a shunt is disposed within the first end of the float body. The shunt is disposed between the magnet and the switch in the first position of the float, thereby shielding the switch from the magnetic flux of the magnet such that the switch is in the open position.
13 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A liquid level sensor for use with a container, comprising:
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a housing including a body defining an interior volume, the housing extending through a wall of the container; a switch actuated by an applied magnetic flux field to a closed position, the switch being disposed within the interior volume of the housing so that it is not contacted by fluid within the container; a float including a body, a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a pivot assembly pivotably coupling the housing and the first end of the float such that the float is pivotable about the pivot assembly between a first position and a second position; a magnet disposed within the pivot assembly; and a shunt disposed within the first end of the float body, wherein the shunt is disposed between the magnet and the switch in the first position of the float, thereby shielding the switch from the magnetic flux field of the magnet such that the switch is in an open position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A liquid level sensor for use with a container, comprising:
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a housing including a body defining an interior volume, the housing extending through a wall of the container; a switch actuated by an applied magnetic flux field to a closed position, the switch being disposed within the interior volume of the housing so that it is not contacted by fluid within the container; a float including a body, a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a pivot assembly pivotably coupling the housing and the first end of the float such that the float is pivotable about the pivot assembly between a first position and a second position; a magnet disposed within the pivot assembly; and a shunt disposed within the pivot assembly, wherein the shunt is disposed between the magnet and the switch in the first position of the float, thereby shielding the switch from the magnetic flux field of the magnet such that the switch is in an open position. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A liquid level sensor for use with a container, comprising:
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a housing including a body defining an interior volume, the housing extending through a wall of the container; a switch actuated by an applied magnetic flux field to an open position, the switch being disposed within the interior volume of the housing so that it is not contacted by fluid within the container; a float including a body, a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a pivot assembly pivotably coupling the housing and the first end of the float such that the float is pivotable about the pivot assembly about a pivot axis between a first position and a second position; a cylindrically-shaped magnet having a longitudinal center axis that is parallel to the pivot axis; and a shunt disposed within the first end of the float body, wherein the shunt is disposed between the magnet and the switch in the first position of the float, thereby shielding the switch from the magnetic flux field of the magnet such that the switch is in a closed position. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification