Ion-change-responsive switch

Claim 2

An ion responsive control device comprising: a. a first chamber, said first chamber having, at least a first port, screen means completely covering said first port, a contractile member, said member having a first end fixed with respect to said first chamber, a first control member, said first control member being operatively connected to a second end of said contractile member and positioned within said first chamber such that said control member moves in response to dimensional changes of said contractile member; and b. a second chamber, said second chamber being fluid-tight and having therein, a second control member, said second control member being out of direct contact with said first control member, but being proximate said first control member and being movement sensitive with respect to said first control member whereby movement of said contractile member physically moves said first control member, and movement of said first control member causes the remote response of said second control member.

Claim 3

The structure of claim 1, wherein said first port in said first chamber is positioned proximate said contractile member, between said first end and said first control member.

Claim 4

The structure of claim 1, wherein said first control member is a magnet.

Claim 5

The structure of claim 3, wherein said second control member is a reed switch.

Claim 6

The structure of claim 3, wherein said magnet is in the form of a hollow cylinder.

Claim 7

The structure of claim 1 wherein said control member is enclosed in a fluid-tight housing, and said housing is potted in said fluid-tight chamber, with a polymeric material. 7 The structure of claim 1, wherein said first chamber is provided with a second port, said first port being proximate the fixed end of said contractile member and said second port being proximate said second end of said contractile member.

Claim 8

An ion responsive control device comprising: a. a first chamber, said first chamber having, at least a first port, a contractile member, said member having a first end fixed with respect to said first chamber, a first control member, said first control member being operatively connected to a second end of said contractile member and positioned within said first chamber such that said control member moves in response to dimensional changes of said contractile member; said first port in said first chamber being approximate said contractile member in order to provide communication between said contractile member and the fluid in which said control device is situated, but said first port being positioned such that fluid flow through said first chamber is not directed toward said first control member; and b. a second chamber, said second chamber being fluid-tight and having therein, a second control member, said second control member being out of direct contact with said first control member but being proximate said first control member and being movement sensitive with respect to said first control element; whereby movement of said contractile member physically moves said first control member, and movement of said first control member causes the remote response of said second control member.

Claim 9

An ion responsive control device comprising: a. a first chamber, said first chamber having, at least a first port, a contractile member, said member having a first end fixed with respect to said first chamber, a first control member, said first control member being operatively connected to a second end of said contractile member and positioned within said first chamber such that said control member moves in response to dimensional changes of said contractile member; said first port in said first chamber being approximate said contractile member in order to provide communication between said contractile member and the fluid in which said control device is situated, but said first port being positioned such that fluid flow through said first chamber is not directed toward said first control member; and b. a second chamber, said second chamber being fluid-tight and having therein, a second control member, said second control member being out of direct contact with said first control member but being proximate said first control member and being movement sensitive with respect to said first control element; whereby movement of said contractile member physically moves said first control member, and movement of said first control member causes the remote response of said second control member.

Claim 10

The structure of claim 8, wherein said first control member is a magnet.

Claim 11

The structure of claim 9, wherein said second control member is a reed switch.

Claim 12

The structure of claim 9, wherein said magnet is in the form of a hollow cylinder.

Claim 13

The structure of claim 8 wherein said second control member is enclosed in a fluid-tight housing, and said housing is potted in said fluid-tight chamber, with a polymeric material.

Claim 14

In a water softener having an ion exchange bed regeneration control which includes a contractile member which is dimensionally responsIve to varying ion concentration in said ion exchange bed, the improvement comprising: said regeneration control having a first chamber, said first chamber in said regeneration control having at least a first port for providing fluid passage means between the interior of said first chamber and said ion exchange bed; a contractile member, said member having a first end fixed with respect to said first chamber, said first port in said first chamber being positioned proximate said contractile member below said first end; a first control member, said first control member being operatively connected to a second end of said contractile member and positioned within said first chamber such that said control member moves in response to dimensional changes of said contractile member, a second chamber, said second chamber being fluid-tight and having therein; and a second control member, said second control member being out of direct contact with said first control member, but being proximate to said first control member, but being proximate to said first control member and being movement sensitive with respect to said first control member, whereby movement of said contractile member moves said first control member and movement of said first control member causes the remote response of said second control member.

Claim 15

In a water softener having an ion exchange bed regeneration control which includes a contractile member which is dimensionally responsIve to varying ion concentration in said ion exchange bed, the improvement comprising: said regeneration control having a first chamber, said first chamber in said regeneration control having at least a first port for providing fluid passage means between the interior of said first chamber and said ion exchange bed; a contractile member, said member having a first end fixed with respect to said first chamber, said first port in said first chamber being positioned proximate said contractile member below said first end; a first control member, said first control member being operatively connected to a second end of said contractile member and positioned within said first chamber such that said control member moves in response to dimensional changes of said contractile member, a second chamber, said second chamber being fluid-tight and having therein; and a second control member, said second control member being out of direct contact with said first control member, but being proximate to said first control member, but being proximate to said first control member and being movement sensitive with respect to said first control member, whereby movement of said contractile member moves said first control member and movement of said first control member causes the remote response of said second control member.

Claim 16

The structure of claim 13, wherein said contractile member comprises a bundle of parallel fibers fixed at said first end to said first chamber, and said first control member is fixed to said second end of said contractile member and freely suspended within said first chamber.

Claim 17

The structure of claim 13, where said first control member is a magnet.

Claim 18

The structure of claim 15, where said second control member is a reed switch.

Claim 19

The structure of claim 13, wherein said second control member is enclosed in a fluid-tight housing, and said housing is potted in said second chamber, with a polymeric material.

Claim 20

The structure of claim 13 wherein said first chamber is provided with a second port, said first port being proximate the fixed end of said contractile member and said second port being proximate said first control member.

Claim 21

In a water softener having an ion exchange bed regeneration control which includes a contractile member which is dimensionally responsive to varying ion concentration in said ion exchange bed, the improvement comprising: said regeneration control having a first chamber, said first chamber having at least a first port for providing fluid passage means between the interior of said first chamber and said ion exchange bed; a contractile member, said member having a first end fixed with respect to said first chamber, a first control member, said first control member being operatively connected to a second end of said contractile member and positioned within said first chamber such that said control member moves in response to dimensional changes of said contractile member; said first port in said first chamber being proximate said contractile member in order to provide communication between said contractile member and the fluid in which said control device is situated, but said first port being positioned such that fluid flow through said first chamber is not directed toward said first control element; and a second chamber, said second chamber being fluid-tight and having therein, a second control member, said second control member being out of direct contact with said first control member, but being proximate to said first control member and being movement sensitive with respect to said first control element, whereby movement of said contractile member moves said first control member and movement of said first control member causes the remote response of said second control member.

Claim 22

In a water softener having an ion exchange bed regeneration control which includes a contractile member which is dimensionally responsive to varying ion concentration in said ion exchange bed, the improvement comprising: said regeneration control having a first chamber, said first chamber having at least a first port for providing fluid passage means between the interior of said first chamber and said ion exchange bed; a contractile member, said member having a first end fixed with respect to said first chamber, a first control member, said first control member being operatively connected to a second end of said contractile member and positioned within said first chamber such that said control member moves in response to dimensional changes of said contractile member; said first port in said first chamber being proximate said contractile member in order to provide communication between said contractile member and the fluid in which said control device is situated, but said first port being positioned such that fluid flow through said first chamber is not directed toward said first control element; and a second chamber, said second chamber being fluid-tight and having therein, a second control member, said second control member being out of direct contact with said first control member, but being proximate to said first control member and being movement sensitive with respect to said first control element, whereby movement of said contractile member moves said first control member and movement of said first control member causes the remote response of said second control member.

Claim 23

The structure of claim 19, wherein said first control member is a magnet.

Claim 24

The structure of claim 20, wherein said second control member is a reed switch.

Claim 25

The structure of claim 19 whErein said first chamber is provided with a second port, said first port being proximate the fixed end of said contractile member and said contractile member and said second port being proximate said second end of said contractile member.

Claim 26

A fluid switch-control device comprising: a. a fluid-tight chamber, said fluid-tight chamber having therein a control member, said control member including a pair of electrically energized coils; b. a contractile member, said member having a first end supported in a fixed position with respect to said fluid-tight chamber, and having a second end; and c. an actuator member, said actuator member being operatively connected to said second end of said contractile member and being positioned proximate said control member, but out of direct contact with said control member, whereby movement of said contractile member physically moves said actuator member, and movement of said actuator member produces a response in said control member which serves to activate a fluid switch mechanism.

Claim 27

A fluid switch-control device comprising: a. a fluid-tight chamber, said fluid-tight chamber having therein a control member, said control member including a pair of electrically energized coils; b. a contractile member, said member having a first end supported in a fixed position with respect to said fluid-tight chamber, and having a second end; and c. an actuator member, said actuator member being operatively connected to said second end of said contractile member and being positioned proximate said control member, but out of direct contact with said control member, whereby movement of said contractile member physically moves said actuator member, and movement of said actuator member produces a response in said control member which serves to activate a fluid switch mechanism.

Claim 28

The structure of claim 23, wherein said contractile member comprises a plurality of parallel fibers.