Differential pressure responsive magnetically actuated switch responsive only to sudden pressure changes

Claim 1

In a differential pressure responsive device, said device being characterized by a housing having a flexible wall therein for dividing the housing into a pair of chambers, the device further being characterized by means for applying a pressure being monitored continuously to a first of said chambers, the improvement comprising: means mounted on the flexible wall and defining a restricted path for the flow of fluid therethrough whereby the monitored pressure may be applied to the second chamber via said restricted path; valve means mounted in the first chamber and cooperating with said restricted flow path defining means to close said restricted flow path when said flexible wall moves in a first direction, the closing of said flow path entrapping fluid in the second chamber; linkage means connected to the flexible wall for generating a mechanical force commensurate with movements of the wall in said first direction in response to rates of decrease in the monitored pressure greater than a preselected rate; means positioned within said housing for generating a magnetic field; armature means connected to said linkage means for movement in response to the generation of a mechanical force thereby, said armature means cooperating with said magnetic field generating means to establish first and second operative conditions; and magnetic field responsive signal generating means located exteriorly of the housing, said signal generating means providing output signals commensurate with the operative condition established by said armature means and magnetic field generating means.