Self-contained relay module unit and system utilizing the same

Claim 2

In combination, a device having a pivotally mounted lever that pivots in response to changes in the operation of said device, a self-contained relay module unit for attachment to said device and being removable therefrom as a unit, said unit having a housing provided with a pilot nozzle that senses pivotal movement of said lever, said housing having a force balancing member that engages said lever and pivots the same in a direction opposite to the pivot movement thereof by said changes in the operation of said device so as to place said lever in a balanced condition thereof, said housing having relay valve means for causing such movement of said force balancing member in relation to the lever condition being sensed by said pilot nozzle, said device having a pressure supply passage means and a pressure signal passage means, said housing having a pressure supply passage means and a pressure signal passage means, and interconnecting means respectively interconnecting said passage means of said housing to said passage means of said device, said interconnecting means floatingly interconnecting to said passage means of said device.

Claim 3

A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said unit is adapted to be pretested remote from said device before being attached thereto.

Claim 4

A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said unit is attached to said device by threadeD fastening means.

Claim 5

A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pilot nozzle and said force balancing member are adjustable relative to said housing before and after attachment to said device.

Claim 6

A combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein said pilot nozzle and said force balancing member project from said housing in the same direction and contact the same side of said lever of said device.

Claim 7

A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said housing has internal passage means therein fluidly interconnecting said pilot nozzle, said relay valve means and said force balancing member together.

Claim 8

In combination, a device having a pivotally mounted lever that that pivots in response to changes in the operation of said device, a self-contained relay module unit for attachment to said device and being removable therefrom as a unit, said unit having a housing provided with a pilot nozzle that senses pivotal movement of said lever, said housing having a force balancing member that engages said lever and pivots the same in a direction opposite to the pivot movement thereof by said changes in the operation of said device so as to place said lever in a balanced condition thereof, said housing having relay valve means for causing such movement of said force balancing member in relation to the lever condition being sensed by said pilot nozzle, said housing having a supply pressure port and a signal output port respectively and floatingly interconnected to a supply pressure nozzle and a signal output nozzle of said device.

Claim 9

In combination, a device having a pivotally mounted lever that that pivots in response to changes in the operation of said device, a self-contained relay module unit for attachment to said device and being removable therefrom as a unit, said unit having a housing provided with a pilot nozzle that senses pivotal movement of said lever, said housing having a force balancing member that engages said lever and pivots the same in a direction opposite to the pivot movement thereof by said changes in the operation of said device so as to place said lever in a balanced condition thereof, said housing having relay valve means for causing such movement of said force balancing member in relation to the lever condition being sensed by said pilot nozzle, said housing having a supply pressure port and a signal output port respectively and floatingly interconnected to a supply pressure nozzle and a signal output nozzle of said device.

Claim 10

In a pneumatic system having a device provided with a lever that pivots in response to pressure differential changes in said device, the improvement comprising a self-contained relay module unit attached to said device and being removable therefrom as a unit, said unit having a housing provided with a pilot nozzle that senses pivotal movement of said lever, said housing having a force balancing member that engages said lever and pivots the same in a direction opposite to the pivotal movement thereof caused by said changes in the pressure differential of said device so as to place said lever in a balanced condition thereof, said housing having relay valve means for causing such movement of said force balancing member in relation to the lever condition being sensed by said pilot nozzle, said device having a pressure passage means and a pressure signal passage means, said housing having a pressure passage means and a pressure signal passage means, and interconnecting means respectively interconnecting said passage means of said housing to said passage means of said device, said interconnecting means floatingly interconnecting to said passage means of said device.

Claim 11

In a pneumatic system having a device provided with a lever that pivots in response to pressure differential changes in said device, the improvement comprising a self-contained relay module unit attached to said device and being removable therefrom as a unit, said unit having a housing provided with a pilot nozzle that senses pivotal movement of said lever, said housing having a force balancing member that engages said lever and pivots the same in a direction opposite to the pivotal movement thereof caused by said changes in the pressure differential of said device so as to place said lever in a balanced condition thereof, said housing having relay valve means for causing such movement of said force balancing member in relation to the lever condition being sensed by said pilot nozzle, said device having a pressure passage means and a pressure signal passage means, said housing having a pressure passage means and a pressure signal passage means, and interconnecting means respectively interconnecting said passage means of said housing to said passage means of said device, said interconnecting means floatingly interconnecting to said passage means of said device.

Claim 12

In a pneumatic system as set forth in claim 8, the further improvement wherein said unit is attached to said device by threaded fastening means.

Claim 13

In a pneumatic system as set forth in claim 8, the further improvement wherein said pilot nozzle and said force balancing member are adjustable relative to said housing before and after attachment to said device.

Claim 14

In a pneumatic system as set forth in claim 10, the further improvement wherein said pilot nozzle and said force balancing member project from said housing in the same direction and contact the same side of said lever of said device.

Claim 15

In a pneumatic system as set forth in claim 8, the further improvement wherein said housing has internal passage means therein fluidly interconnecting said pilot nozzle, said relay valve means and said force balancing member together.

Claim 16

In a pneumatic system having a device provided with a lever that pivots in response to pressure differential changes in said device, the improvement comprising a self-contained relay module unit attached to said device and being removable therefrom as a unit, said unit having a housing provided with a pilot nozzle that senses pivotal movement of said lever, said housing having a force balancing member that engages said lever and pivots the same in a direction opposite to the pivot movement thereof by said changes in the pressure differential of said device so as to place said lever in a balanced condition thereof, said housing having relay valve means for causing such movement of said force balancing member in relation to the lever condition being sensed by said pilot nozzle, said housing having a supply pressure port and a signal output port respectively and floatingly interconnected to a supply pressure nozzle and a signal output nozzle of said device.

Claim 17

In a pneumatic system having a device provided with a lever that pivots in response to pressure differential changes in said device, the improvement comprising a self-contained relay module unit attached to said device and being removable therefrom as a unit, said unit having a housing provided with a pilot nozzle that senses pivotal movement of said lever, said housing having a force balancing member that engages said lever and pivots the same in a direction opposite to the pivot movement thereof by said changes in the pressure differential of said device so as to place said lever in a balanced condition thereof, said housing having relay valve means for causing such movement of said force balancing member in relation to the lever condition being sensed by said pilot nozzle, said housing having a supply pressure port and a signal output port respectively and floatingly interconnected to a supply pressure nozzle and a signal output nozzle of said device.