US3646293A — Electrical signal generator and liquid level indi…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 154 words

A method o producing a plurality of electrical pulses from a magnetic switch including the steps of providing an aligned finite series of adjacent magnetic fields, each of a substantially equal first magnitude, with similar poles of the adjacent fields adjacent to each other, providing a magnetic field of smaller magnitude at each opposite end of the series with the polarity of each smaller magnitude field that is adjacent an end field of the series being the same as that at the adjacent end of the series, providing a magnetically operable switch having contact elements that can be magnetically moved together and apart by a magnetic field or fields, moving the series past the switch at a distance close enough that said series of magnetic fields of a first magnitude successively causes the switch to close and open and far enough away that the magnetic fields of smaller magnitude will not actuate the switches.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 154 words

A method o producing a plurality of electrical pulses from a magnetic switch including the steps of providing an aligned finite series of adjacent magnetic fields, each of a substantially equal first magnitude, with similar poles of the adjacent fields adjacent to each other, providing a magnetic field of smaller magnitude at each opposite end of the series with the polarity of each smaller magnitude field that is adjacent an end field of the series being the same as that at the adjacent end of the series, providing a magnetically operable switch having contact elements that can be magnetically moved together and apart by a magnetic field or fields, moving the series past the switch at a distance close enough that said series of magnetic fields of a first magnitude successively causes the switch to close and open and far enough away that the magnetic fields of smaller magnitude will not actuate the switches.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 143 words

The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein a second magnetically operable switch is spaced from the first-mentioned magnetic switch along the path of movement of the series of magnetic fields, and including the step of closing said first-mentioned magnetically operable switch a number of times equal to the number of magnetic fields of said first magnitude in said series in response to movement of the series past said first-mentioned magnetic switch, each closing being in response to a finite distance of travel of the series, equal for each field, and therefore moving the series past said second magnetically operable switch and closing said second switch a number of times, the first closing thereof being in response to a distance of travel of the series after the last closing of said first-mentioned magnetically operable switch equal to said finite distance of travel.

Claim 4

Independent Claim 134 words

A method of controlling magnetic fields of a series of magnetic fields of sufficient strength to actuate a reed switch when moved therepast along a predetermined path, including the steps of limiting the extent of the magnetic field at each end of the series in a direction along said predetermined path by applying a biasing magnetic field at each end of the series, with a like polarity opposing the the end polarity of the series and of insufficient strength to actuate the reed switch when moved therepast with said series but of sufficient strength to confiNe the effective extent of each field at the end of said series, in a direction along said path away from said series, to the distance the field extends along said path inwardly of the end of said series.

Claim 5

Independent Claim 134 words

A method of controlling magnetic fields of a series of magnetic fields of sufficient strength to actuate a reed switch when moved therepast along a predetermined path, including the steps of limiting the extent of the magnetic field at each end of the series in a direction along said predetermined path by applying a biasing magnetic field at each end of the series, with a like polarity opposing the the end polarity of the series and of insufficient strength to actuate the reed switch when moved therepast with said series but of sufficient strength to confiNe the effective extent of each field at the end of said series, in a direction along said path away from said series, to the distance the field extends along said path inwardly of the end of said series.

Claim 6

Independent Claim 125 words

A method of producing digital output signals indicative of a change in liquid level in a vessel in response to movement of a float supported by liquid in the vessel, including the steps of providing a magnetically operable switch at a predetermined position, carrying a series of magnets for movement by said float past said switch and aligned in series in the direction of movement of the magnets, changing the level of liquid in the vessel, thereby moving the float relative to the vessel and the series of magnets past said switch, and producing an electrical signal each time one of said series of magnets moves past the switch, whereby a single switch indicates a plurality of incremental changes in the level in the vessel.

Claim 7

Independent Claim 125 words

A method of producing digital output signals indicative of a change in liquid level in a vessel in response to movement of a float supported by liquid in the vessel, including the steps of providing a magnetically operable switch at a predetermined position, carrying a series of magnets for movement by said float past said switch and aligned in series in the direction of movement of the magnets, changing the level of liquid in the vessel, thereby moving the float relative to the vessel and the series of magnets past said switch, and producing an electrical signal each time one of said series of magnets moves past the switch, whereby a single switch indicates a plurality of incremental changes in the level in the vessel.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 140 words

The method as set forth in claim 4 wherein a second magnetically operable switch is spaced from the said first-mentioned magnetic switch along the path of movement of the series of magnets, and including the step of first opening and closing the said first-mentioned magnetically operable switch a number of times equal to the number of magnets in said series in response to movement of the series past said first-mentioned magnetic switch, each actuation being in response to a finite distance of travel of the series, equal for each magnet, and thereafter moving the series past said second magnetically operable switch and opening and closing said second switch, the first actuation thereof being in response to a distance of travel of the series after the last actuation of said first-mentioned magnetically operable switch equal to said finite distance of travel.

Claim 9

Independent Claim 276 words

A method of producing digital output signals indicative of a change in liquid level in a vessel in response to movement of a float supported by liquid in the vessel, including the steps of providing a plurality of magnetically actuatable switches at predetermined spaced positions, carrying a series of magnets for movement by said float past said switch and aligned in series in the direction of movement of the magnets, limiting the extent of the field of the magnet at each end of the series in a direction along the direction of movement of the magnets by applying a magnet field at each end of the series with a like polarity opposing the end polarity of the series and of insufficient strength to actuate said switches but of sufficient strength to limit the effective extent of the field of the adjacent end magnet of the series in a direction along the path of movement away from said series of magnets to the distance the field extends along the path of movement inwardly of the series, changing the level of liquid in the vessel, thereby moving the float and the series of magnets relative to the vessel and past said switches, producing at least one electrical signal each time one of said series of magnets moves past a switch, said switches being spaced relative to the dimension of the series of magnets considered in the direction of movement such that the first signal produced by a successive switch follows the last signal produced by the preceding switch in response to an increment of float movement equal to the increments that create successive signals from an individual switch.

Claim 10

Independent Claim 276 words

A method of producing digital output signals indicative of a change in liquid level in a vessel in response to movement of a float supported by liquid in the vessel, including the steps of providing a plurality of magnetically actuatable switches at predetermined spaced positions, carrying a series of magnets for movement by said float past said switch and aligned in series in the direction of movement of the magnets, limiting the extent of the field of the magnet at each end of the series in a direction along the direction of movement of the magnets by applying a magnet field at each end of the series with a like polarity opposing the end polarity of the series and of insufficient strength to actuate said switches but of sufficient strength to limit the effective extent of the field of the adjacent end magnet of the series in a direction along the path of movement away from said series of magnets to the distance the field extends along the path of movement inwardly of the series, changing the level of liquid in the vessel, thereby moving the float and the series of magnets relative to the vessel and past said switches, producing at least one electrical signal each time one of said series of magnets moves past a switch, said switches being spaced relative to the dimension of the series of magnets considered in the direction of movement such that the first signal produced by a successive switch follows the last signal produced by the preceding switch in response to an increment of float movement equal to the increments that create successive signals from an individual switch.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method as set forth in claim 6 including the steps of providing an electrical signal each time the float approaches an upper and lower limit of travel.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 38 words

The method as set forth in claim 6 including the step of producing two electrical signals each time one of said series of magnets moves past a switch, one when the switch closes and one when it opens.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 142 words

A liquid level indicator for use with a liquid-containing vessel, comprising a magnetically operable switch adapted to be fixed at a predetermined location with respect to a vessel for containing liquid and adapted to form a part of an electriC circuit whereby actuation of the switch will produce an electrical signal, a float adapted to be located within a liquid-containing vessel, movable with a change of liquid level past said switch, means to guide said float along a vertical path closely adjacent to said switch, and a plurality of similar switch-actuating magnets secured to and carried by the float for movement relative to said switch, said magnets being arranged one above another with surfaces that form magnetic pole portions aligned vertically and with like poles of each successive magnet adjacent, and of sufficient magnetic strength to actuate said switch when moved therepast.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 142 words

A liquid level indicator for use with a liquid-containing vessel, comprising a magnetically operable switch adapted to be fixed at a predetermined location with respect to a vessel for containing liquid and adapted to form a part of an electriC circuit whereby actuation of the switch will produce an electrical signal, a float adapted to be located within a liquid-containing vessel, movable with a change of liquid level past said switch, means to guide said float along a vertical path closely adjacent to said switch, and a plurality of similar switch-actuating magnets secured to and carried by the float for movement relative to said switch, said magnets being arranged one above another with surfaces that form magnetic pole portions aligned vertically and with like poles of each successive magnet adjacent, and of sufficient magnetic strength to actuate said switch when moved therepast.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 77 words

A liquid level indicator as set forth in claim 9 including a second magnetically operable switch spaced a predetermined vertical distance from said first-mentioned magnetically operable switch along the path of said float provided by said guide means, said second switch being of identical construction to the first-mentioned switch and spaced therefrom such that the distance between corresponding parts of the successive switches along said path is equal to the height of the arrangement of said magnets.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 40 words

A liquid level indicator as set forth in claim 10 including circuit means connected to said switch to produce a signal in response to a closing of the switch and a signal in response to the opening of the switch.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 117 words

A liquid level indicator as set forth in claim 10 including an additional magnet above and below said plurality of switch-actuating magnets with surfaces that include magnetic pole portions aligned vertically with the similar surfaces of said switch-actuating magnets and with a like pole opposing the adjacent end pole of said plurality of switch-actuating magnets, said additional magnets having insufficient magnetic strength to actuate said switches but sufficient magnetic strength to limit the effective extent of the field of the adjacent end magnet of said plurality of switch-actuating magnets in a direction vertically inwardly of the arrangement thereof so that the field extends outward from each end of the arrangement substantially no further than it extends inward.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 28 words

A liquid level indicator as set forth in claim 12 including a nonmagnetic spacer, thin with respect to the switch-actuating magnets, between each switch-actuating magnet and the next.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 33 words

A liquid level indicator as set forth in claim 13 wherein all of the said magnets are annular and encircle said switches as they are moved adjacent said switches along said vertical path.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 304 words

Apparatus for producing electrical signals in response to the movement of a member past a plurality of switches, comprising: a plurality of magnetically operable switches spaced along a path of movement of a member, said switches being similar in construction each to the others, each having two contact elements extending in opposite directions from an area of mutual overlap, which elements can be magnetically moved together and apart as each becomes oppositely or similarly polarized relative to the other by a magnetic field or fields; a plurality of switch-actuating magnets carried by said member, arranged in a series with surface portions of each magnet aligned with surface portions of the others in a direction along said path of movement of said member, which surface portions of each magnet include north and south polarities, the like polarities of adjacent magnets being adjacent each other and the switch-actuating magnets being of sufficient magnetic strength to actuate said switches when said member is moved along said path; and an additional magnet above and below said switch-actuating magnets with surface portions that include north and south magnetic pole portions aligned with said surface portions of the switch-actuating magnets and with a like pole opposing the adjacent end pole of said plurality of switch-actuating magnets, said additional magnets having insufficient magnetic strength to actuate said switches when said member moves along its path, but sufficient magnetic strength to limit the effective extent of the field of the adjacent end magnet of said plurality of switch-actuating magnets outwardly from the end so that the field extends beyond the end of the aligned switch-actuating magnets substantially no further than it extends inward; said magnetically operable switches being spaced each from the next a distance between corresponding parts thereof substantially equal to the distance that the switch-actuating magnets extend along said path.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 304 words

Apparatus for producing electrical signals in response to the movement of a member past a plurality of switches, comprising: a plurality of magnetically operable switches spaced along a path of movement of a member, said switches being similar in construction each to the others, each having two contact elements extending in opposite directions from an area of mutual overlap, which elements can be magnetically moved together and apart as each becomes oppositely or similarly polarized relative to the other by a magnetic field or fields; a plurality of switch-actuating magnets carried by said member, arranged in a series with surface portions of each magnet aligned with surface portions of the others in a direction along said path of movement of said member, which surface portions of each magnet include north and south polarities, the like polarities of adjacent magnets being adjacent each other and the switch-actuating magnets being of sufficient magnetic strength to actuate said switches when said member is moved along said path; and an additional magnet above and below said switch-actuating magnets with surface portions that include north and south magnetic pole portions aligned with said surface portions of the switch-actuating magnets and with a like pole opposing the adjacent end pole of said plurality of switch-actuating magnets, said additional magnets having insufficient magnetic strength to actuate said switches when said member moves along its path, but sufficient magnetic strength to limit the effective extent of the field of the adjacent end magnet of said plurality of switch-actuating magnets outwardly from the end so that the field extends beyond the end of the aligned switch-actuating magnets substantially no further than it extends inward; said magnetically operable switches being spaced each from the next a distance between corresponding parts thereof substantially equal to the distance that the switch-actuating magnets extend along said path.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 119 words

Apparatus for indicating relative movement between magnets and switches, comprising: a plurality of similar magnets each constructed with a north and south pole located in or along a common real or imaginary surface, said surfaces of all said magnets being arranged in a succession, at least one of the poles of each magnet being adjacent a like pole of a successive magnet, a plurality of magnetically operable switches arranged in a succession capable of being successively traversed by or of successively traversing said magnets, means for connecting said switches to an electrical circuit that is responsive to operation of said switches, and means to effect relative movement between said magnets as a group and said switches as a group.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 119 words

Apparatus for indicating relative movement between magnets and switches, comprising: a plurality of similar magnets each constructed with a north and south pole located in or along a common real or imaginary surface, said surfaces of all said magnets being arranged in a succession, at least one of the poles of each magnet being adjacent a like pole of a successive magnet, a plurality of magnetically operable switches arranged in a succession capable of being successively traversed by or of successively traversing said magnets, means for connecting said switches to an electrical circuit that is responsive to operation of said switches, and means to effect relative movement between said magnets as a group and said switches as a group.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 29 words

Apparatus as set forth in claim 16 wherein said switches are spaced apart successively a distance such that only one switch is operated at a time by said magnets.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1975-02-28	1975-08-30	1976-02-29	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1979-02-28	1979-08-30	1980-02-29	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1983-02-28	1983-08-30	1984-02-29	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Electrical signal generator and liquid level indicator

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag