US3777698A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Condition sensing apparatus and valve therefor
Assignee: E F IND INC US
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Filing: 1972-01-14
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Granted: 1973-12-11
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Expires: 1992-01-14
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for sensing and indicating the presence of a particular condition such as, for example, the level of a liquid within a container. Said apparatus includes a sensor means or a probe suitably positioned such as within the container. When the particular condition is sensed, such as a predetermined change of liquid level within the container, the sensor means or probe produces and/or transmits a suitable input signal such as a fluid input signal to a non-bleed amplification valve separated into a plurality of passages and chambers by a force responsive means arrangement such as a diaphragm arrangement. The force responsive means arrangement, passages and chambers in cooperation with one another and with a supply of fluid under pressure provide an amplified fluid output signal (relative to the magnitude of the fluid input signal) in response to the presence of the fluid input signal. The fluid input signal is cyclically generated upon continued application of the input signal and, thus, the apparatus functions as a pneumatic oscillator. The apparatus includes means for controlling the cycling period of said output signal. The fluid output signal may be applied, for example, to an audio alarm for indicating that the liquid in the container has reached the aforestated predetermined level. The valve assembly does not expend any fluid energy or require the input of any power when same is in a quiescent state.
Inventors
- 👤 B Hunter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 17:18
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/14; G01F23/16; G01F23/161; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8158; Y10T137/8342
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
An apparatus for sensing a particular condition comprising: a. a sensing probe adapted to produce a pneumatic input signal in response to the presence of said particular condition; b. a gas-conveyance tube connected at one end to said sensing probe for transmitting said signal to a point remote from said probe; and c. a non-bleeding amplification valve including an output and a diaphragm arrangement separating said valve into a plurality of cooperating cavities, a first of which is connected with the otherwise free end of said gas conveyance tube for receiving said input signal therein and a second of which is adapted for connection with a pressurized gas supply for receiving therein pressurized gas, said cavities cooperating with each other to provide intermittently a pneumatic alarm actuating output signal greater in magnitude than said input signal at The output of said amplification valve in response to the copresence of said pneumatic input signal and pressurized gas in said first and second cavities, respectively, said cavities further cooperating with each other to provide intermittently a flow of pressurized gas through said gas conveyance tube in the direction of said sensing probe in response to the co-presence of said pneumatic output signal and pressurized gas.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
203 words
An apparatus for sensing a particular condition comprising: a. a sensing probe adapted to produce a pneumatic input signal in response to the presence of said particular condition; b. a gas-conveyance tube connected at one end to said sensing probe for transmitting said signal to a point remote from said probe; and c. a non-bleeding amplification valve including an output and a diaphragm arrangement separating said valve into a plurality of cooperating cavities, a first of which is connected with the otherwise free end of said gas conveyance tube for receiving said input signal therein and a second of which is adapted for connection with a pressurized gas supply for receiving therein pressurized gas, said cavities cooperating with each other to provide intermittently a pneumatic alarm actuating output signal greater in magnitude than said input signal at The output of said amplification valve in response to the copresence of said pneumatic input signal and pressurized gas in said first and second cavities, respectively, said cavities further cooperating with each other to provide intermittently a flow of pressurized gas through said gas conveyance tube in the direction of said sensing probe in response to the co-presence of said pneumatic output signal and pressurized gas.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
164 words
An apparatus for sensing a particular condition, comprising: a. a sensing probe adapted to produce a fluid input signal in response to the presence of said particular condition; b. means for transmitting said signal to a point remote from said sensing probe; and c. a non-bleeding signal amplification valve including an output and a diaphragm arrangement separating said valve into a plurality of cooperating sections, said amplification valve being connected with said signal transmitting means for receiving said fluid input signal in a first of said cooperative sections, said amplification valve also including means adapted for connection with a pressurized fluid supply for receiving fluid under pressure within a second cooperating section, said sections cooperating with each other and with said diaphragm arrangement to prove an alarm actuating fluid signal greater in magnitude than said input signal at the output of said amplification valve in response to the co-presence of said fluid input signal and pressurized fluid in said first and second sections, respectively.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
164 words
An apparatus for sensing a particular condition, comprising: a. a sensing probe adapted to produce a fluid input signal in response to the presence of said particular condition; b. means for transmitting said signal to a point remote from said sensing probe; and c. a non-bleeding signal amplification valve including an output and a diaphragm arrangement separating said valve into a plurality of cooperating sections, said amplification valve being connected with said signal transmitting means for receiving said fluid input signal in a first of said cooperative sections, said amplification valve also including means adapted for connection with a pressurized fluid supply for receiving fluid under pressure within a second cooperating section, said sections cooperating with each other and with said diaphragm arrangement to prove an alarm actuating fluid signal greater in magnitude than said input signal at the output of said amplification valve in response to the co-presence of said fluid input signal and pressurized fluid in said first and second sections, respectively.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
205 words
first and second movable members, i. said first member movable between a first biased position for fluid sealing said first chamber from said second chamber and a second position for allowing fluid communication between said first and second chambers, ii. said second member movable between a first biased position for fluid sealing said third chamber from said outlet passage and a second position for allowing fluid communication between said third chamber and the outlet passage leading away from said third chamber, said second member being adapted to move from its first position to its second position in response to the movement of said first member from its first position to its second position whereby to produce an alarm initiating signal by allowing pressurized fluid within said third chamber to escape therefrom through the outlet passage leading away from said third chamber, and b. sensor means adapted for sensing a particular condition and transmitting an input signal in response thereto, said sensor means means including means operably connected with said first member and responsive to the presence of said input signal for at least momentarily moving said first member from its first position to its second position in response to the transmission of said input signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
205 words
first and second movable members, i. said first member movable between a first biased position for fluid sealing said first chamber from said second chamber and a second position for allowing fluid communication between said first and second chambers, ii. said second member movable between a first biased position for fluid sealing said third chamber from said outlet passage and a second position for allowing fluid communication between said third chamber and the outlet passage leading away from said third chamber, said second member being adapted to move from its first position to its second position in response to the movement of said first member from its first position to its second position whereby to produce an alarm initiating signal by allowing pressurized fluid within said third chamber to escape therefrom through the outlet passage leading away from said third chamber, and b. sensor means adapted for sensing a particular condition and transmitting an input signal in response thereto, said sensor means means including means operably connected with said first member and responsive to the presence of said input signal for at least momentarily moving said first member from its first position to its second position in response to the transmission of said input signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
220 words
first and second movable members, i. said first member fluid sealing said first chamber from said fourth chamber, said first member also movable between a first biased position for fluid sealing said first chamber from said second chamber and a second position for allowing fluid communication between said first and second chambers, ii. said second member movable between a first biased position for fluid sealing of said third chamber from the outlet passage leading away from said third chamber and a second position for allowing fluid communication between said third chamber and the outlet passage leading away from said third chamber, said second member being adapted to move from its first position to its second position in response to the movement of said first member from its first position to its second position whereby to produce an alarm initiating signal by allowing pressurized fluid within said third chamber to escape therefrom through the outlet passage leading away from said third chamber; and b. sensor means adapted for sensing a particular condition and transmitting an input signal in response thereto, said sensor means including means operably connected with said first member and responsive to the presence of said input signal for at least momentarily moving said first member from its first position in response to the transmission of said input signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
220 words
first and second movable members, i. said first member fluid sealing said first chamber from said fourth chamber, said first member also movable between a first biased position for fluid sealing said first chamber from said second chamber and a second position for allowing fluid communication between said first and second chambers, ii. said second member movable between a first biased position for fluid sealing of said third chamber from the outlet passage leading away from said third chamber and a second position for allowing fluid communication between said third chamber and the outlet passage leading away from said third chamber, said second member being adapted to move from its first position to its second position in response to the movement of said first member from its first position to its second position whereby to produce an alarm initiating signal by allowing pressurized fluid within said third chamber to escape therefrom through the outlet passage leading away from said third chamber; and b. sensor means adapted for sensing a particular condition and transmitting an input signal in response thereto, said sensor means including means operably connected with said first member and responsive to the presence of said input signal for at least momentarily moving said first member from its first position in response to the transmission of said input signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said signal transmitting means comprises a fluid conveyance tube and wherein said amplification valve is adapted to provide a flow of pressurized fluid through said conveyance tube in the direction of said probe in response to the co-presence of said fluid input signal and said pressurized fluid in said first and second sections, respectively.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus accroding to claim 2 wherein said signal transmitting means comprises tube means for transmitting said input signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said amplification valve includes means responsive to said alarm signal for terminating production of said alarm actuating fluid signal at the output of said valve regardless of said co-presence of said fluid input signal and pressurized fluid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 2 including means connected with the output of said valve for producing an audio alarm in response to the presence of said alarm actuating fluid signal.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
13 words
An apparatus for sensing a particular condition comprising: a. a valve assembly including
Claim 14
Independent Claim
13 words
An apparatus for sensing a particular condition comprising: a. a valve assembly including
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said valve assembly includes means for controlling the cycling period of said alarm initiating fluid signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said valve assambly includes means for controlling the duration of the alarm initiating fluid signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 in which the means of said sensor means includes a force transmitting member connected to said first movable member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 in which the means of said sensor means includes a force generating member disposed adjacent a portion of said first movable member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 in which said first movable member is a pressure responsive member, and the means of said sensor means includes a fluid passage disposed in fluid communication with a portion of one side of said first movable member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 12 in which the means of said sensor means includes a fluid passage adapted to be disposed in fluid communication with said fourth chamber.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
13 words
An apparatus for sensing a particular condition, comprising: a. a valve assembly including
Claim 22
Independent Claim
13 words
An apparatus for sensing a particular condition, comprising: a. a valve assembly including
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 14 in which the means of said sensor means includes a force transmitting member connected to said first movable member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 14 in which the means of said sensor means includes a force generating member disposed adjacent a portion of said first movable member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus according to claim 14 in which said first movable member is a pressure responsive member, and the means of said sensor means includes a fluid passage disposed in fluid communication with a portion of one side of said first movable mEmber.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said valve assambly includes means for terminating intermittently production of said alarm initiating fluid signal.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said valve assembly includes means for controlling the cycling period of said alarm initiating fluid signal.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said valve assembly includes means for controlling the duration of said alarm initiating fluid signal.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said valve assembly includes means for terminating intermittently production of said alarm initiating fluid signal, and also means for controlling the cycling period of said alarm initiating fluid signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-10 | 1977-06-11 | 1977-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-10 | 1981-06-11 | 1981-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-10 | 1985-06-11 | 1985-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |