Switch actuating bourdon tube with mounting bolt providing fluid communication between pressure source and bourdon tube

Claim 2

A low pressure indicator switch assembly for a pressure vessel comprising: a body member having a threaded passage means therein communicating with the pressure vessel, a Bourdon tube having an orificed end portion, a mounting bolt having a threaded shank means extending through said orificed end portion and into said threaded passage means to mount said end portion of said Bourdon tube to said body member, said threaded passage means and threaded shank means having different thread depths to define therebetween a helical passage for communicating pressure between the pressure vessel and said Bourdon tube; and contact means adapted to be connected with a warning device and being operatively controlled by said Bourdon tube for actuation of the warning device when the presssure of the pressure vessel is below a predetermined pressure.

Claim 3

A low pressure indicator switch assembly for a pressure vessel of a vehicle air cushion restraint system, comprising: a body member having a passage extending therethrough and communicating with the interior of the pressure vessel, said body member having a threaded portion within said passage; a Bourdon tube having one end portion closed and having its other end portion with an orifice extending therethrough; a mounting bolt having a threaded shank extending through said orifice of said other end portion and received within said passage for cooperating with said threaded portion within said passage of said body member to mount said other end portion of said Bourdon tube to said body member, one of said threaded shank of said mounting bolt and said threaded portion having a greater thread depth for a helical passage to be defined between said threaded shank and threaded portion to communicate pressure between the interior of the pressure vessel and said Bourdon tube; and a movable contact and a stationary contact which are adapted to be connected with a warning device, said movable contact being operatively engaged by said Bourdon tube and moved with respect to said stationary contact for actuating the warning device when the pressure of the interior of said pressure vessel is below a predetermined pressure.

Claim 4

A low pressure indicator switch assembly for a pressure vessel of a vehicle air cushion restraint system, comprising: a body member having a passage extending therethrough and communicating with the interior of the pressure vessel, said body member having a threaded portion within said passage; a Bourdon tube having one end portion closed and having its other end portion with an orifice extending therethrough; a mounting bolt having a threaded shank extending through said orifice of said other end portion and received within said passage for cooperating with said threaded portion within said passage of said body member to mount said other end portion of said Bourdon tube to said body member, one of said threaded shank of said mounting bolt and said threaded portion having a greater thread depth for a helical passage to be defined between said threaded shank and threaded portion to communicate pressure between the interior of the pressure vessel and said Bourdon tube; and a movable contact and a stationary contact which are adapted to be connected with a warning device, said movable contact being operatively engaged by said Bourdon tube and moved with respect to said stationary contact for actuating the warning device when the pressure of the interior of said pressure vessel is below a predetermined pressure.

Claim 5

In a vehicle air cusion restrain system having a detonable pressure vessel, a valve and indicator assembly, comprising: a body member adapted to be sealingly connected with said pressure vessel and having a passage extending therethrough and communicating with the interior of said presssure vessel, said body member having a threaded portion within said passage; inlet valve means and pressure relief valve means associated with said body member; a low pressure indicator switch having a Bourdon tube with a first closed free end and a second end with an orifice extending therethrough, said switch also having a mounting bolt with a threaded shank extending through said orifice of said second end and cooperating with said threaded portion within said passage of said body member to mount said second end of said Bourdon tube to said body member, said threaded shank of said mounting bolt and said threaded portion within said passage of said body member having different thread depths and defining therebetween a helical passage for communicating pressure between the interior of said pressure vessel and said Bourdon tube, said switch having sealing means between the head of said mounting bolt and said second end and between said body portion and said second end; said switch further having contact means mounted to said body member, said contact means having a stationary contact and an adjustable leaf spring contact normally biased out of engagement with said stationary contact, said leaf spring contact being positioned adjacent said free end of said Bourdon tube and being operatively engaged thereby and moved into engagement with said stationary contact when the pressure within said pressure vessel decreases to below a predetermined minimum pressure; and warning device means connected with a said movable and stationary contacts of said switch means and being actuated when said movable contact engages said stationary contact.

Claim 6

In a vehicle air cusion restrain system having a detonable pressure vessel, a valve and indicator assembly, comprising: a body member adapted to be sealingly connected with said pressure vessel and having a passage extending therethrough and communicating with the interior of said presssure vessel, said body member having a threaded portion within said passage; inlet valve means and pressure relief valve means associated with said body member; a low pressure indicator switch having a Bourdon tube with a first closed free end and a second end with an orifice extending therethrough, said switch also having a mounting bolt with a threaded shank extending through said orifice of said second end and cooperating with said threaded portion within said passage of said body member to mount said second end of said Bourdon tube to said body member, said threaded shank of said mounting bolt and said threaded portion within said passage of said body member having different thread depths and defining therebetween a helical passage for communicating pressure between the interior of said pressure vessel and said Bourdon tube, said switch having sealing means between the head of said mounting bolt and said second end and between said body portion and said second end; said switch further having contact means mounted to said body member, said contact means having a stationary contact and an adjustable leaf spring contact normally biased out of engagement with said stationary contact, said leaf spring contact being positioned adjacent said free end of said Bourdon tube and being operatively engaged thereby and moved into engagement with said stationary contact when the pressure within said pressure vessel decreases to below a predetermined minimum pressure; and warning device means connected with a said movable and stationary contacts of said switch means and being actuated when said movable contact engages said stationary contact.