Patent EP0530985A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3789338A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3789338A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pressure sensor device
Assignee: GTE Sylvania Inc
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Filing: 1972-10-02
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Granted: 1974-01-29
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Expires: 1992-10-02
Abstract
Abstract A sensor device senses the presence or absence of pressure. As the pressure about the device exceeds a pre-established level, a movable tip of the device is depressed. A thermally conductive portion of the tip thereby engages a spaced apart portion of an element. This engagement upsets the thermal properties within the device, causing two heat responsive members to disengage. A sensing apparatus is also disclosed which includes the above described device and an electrical circuit which comprises a potential source and a current indicating means. When the above mentioned heat responsive members are engaged, current in the circuit is at a sufficient level to activate the current indicating means. However, when the heat responsive members disengage, the current must pass through a resistive material, thereby lowering the level of current flow. This lower electrical current is then not sufficient to actuate the indicating means.
Inventors
- 👤 N Szeverenyi
- 👤 D Thompson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 15:41
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H43/00; H01H43/30; H01H43/301; H01H43/302; H01H43/304; H01H35/00; H01H35/24; H01H61/00; H01H61/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A sensor device comprising: a housing member defining a chamber; an element within said chamber having first and second spaced apart portions; means for heating said element; a thermally conductive member within said chamber, said thermally conductive member being secured in heat conductivE relationship to said first spaced apart portion of said element; a movable tip member secured to said housing and forming a closure for said chamber, said tip member having a portion thereof of thermally conductive material adapted for engaging said second spaced apart portion of said element when the pressure surrounding said tip member exceeds a pre-established level; and first and second heat responsive members secured to said first and second spaced apart portions respectively, said heat responsive members each having a free end adapted for engaging only when the temperature difference between said first and second spaced apart portions exceeds a predetermined level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
A sensor device comprising: a housing member defining a chamber; an element within said chamber having first and second spaced apart portions; means for heating said element; a thermally conductive member within said chamber, said thermally conductive member being secured in heat conductivE relationship to said first spaced apart portion of said element; a movable tip member secured to said housing and forming a closure for said chamber, said tip member having a portion thereof of thermally conductive material adapted for engaging said second spaced apart portion of said element when the pressure surrounding said tip member exceeds a pre-established level; and first and second heat responsive members secured to said first and second spaced apart portions respectively, said heat responsive members each having a free end adapted for engaging only when the temperature difference between said first and second spaced apart portions exceeds a predetermined level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The sensor device according to claim 1 wherein said second spaced apart portion of said element is joined in an electrically conductive relationship with said housing member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The sensor device according to claim 1 wherein said thermally conductive member is also electrically conductive.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The sensor device according to claim 1 wherein said element within said chamber is an electrical resistant element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sensor device according to claim 1 wherein said heat responsive members are bimetallic members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
A sensor device according to claim 5 wherein the high expanding side of said bimetallic members are alloys consisting essentially of from about 22 percent by weight nickel, about 3 percent by weight of chromium and the balance iron and the low expanding side of said bimetallic members are alloys consisting essentially of from about 36 to about 42 percent nickel and the balance iron.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
The sensor device according to claim 5 wherein the high expanding layer of said bimetallic members is an alloy consisting essentially of about 22 percent by weight nickel, 3 percent by weight chromium, and the balance iron, and the low expanding layer is any alloy consisting essentially of about 30 to 35 percent by weight nickel and the balance iron.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
138 words
The sensor device according to claim 7 wherein said high expanding layer of said bimetallic members has a first average coefficient of thermal expansion over a temperature range of from about 0* to 150* F of at least 7 X 10 6 per *F, and a second coefficient of thermal expansion over the temperature range of about 150* to 600* F lower than said first average coefficient of thermal expansion, and said low expanding layer has a first average coefficient of thermal expansion over a temperature range of about 0* to 150* F of from about 1.4 X 10 6 per *F to about 6.0 X 10 6 per *F and a second average coefficient of thermal expansion over a temperature range of from about 400* to 600* F or above about 7.0 X 10 6 per *F.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sensor device according to claim 5 wherein each of said bimetallic members has a contacting portion of noble metal affixed thereto.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
160 words
A sensing apparatus comprising a sensor device comprising: a housing member defining a chamber; an element within said chamber having first and second spaced apart portions; means for heating said element; a thermally conductive member within said chamber, said thermally conductive member being secured in heat conductive relationship to said first spaced apart portion of said element; a movable tip member secured to said housing forming a closure for said chamber, said tip member having a portion thereof of thermally conductive material adapted for engaging said second spaced apart portion of said element when the pressure surrounding said tip member exceeds a pre-established level; first and second heat responsive members secured to said first and second spaced apart portions respectively, said heat responsive members each having a free end adapted for engaging only when the temperature difference between said first and second spaced apart portions exceeds a predetermined level; and means for sensing when said heat responsive members are enagaged.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
160 words
A sensing apparatus comprising a sensor device comprising: a housing member defining a chamber; an element within said chamber having first and second spaced apart portions; means for heating said element; a thermally conductive member within said chamber, said thermally conductive member being secured in heat conductive relationship to said first spaced apart portion of said element; a movable tip member secured to said housing forming a closure for said chamber, said tip member having a portion thereof of thermally conductive material adapted for engaging said second spaced apart portion of said element when the pressure surrounding said tip member exceeds a pre-established level; first and second heat responsive members secured to said first and second spaced apart portions respectively, said heat responsive members each having a free end adapted for engaging only when the temperature difference between said first and second spaced apart portions exceeds a predetermined level; and means for sensing when said heat responsive members are enagaged.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The sensing apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said second spaced apart portion of said element is joined in an electrically conductive relationship with said housing member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
62 words
A sensing apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said means for sensing when said heat responsive members are engaged is an electrical circuit comprising a source of electrical potential operatively connected to said heat responsive members for opening and closing said circuit and a current indicating means adapted for indicating electrical current in said circuit when said heat responsive members are engaged.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
A sensing apparatus according to claim 12 wherein in said sensor device, said element within said chamber is an electrical resistant element and is operatively connected to said source of electrical potential.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
A sensing apparatus according to claim 13 wherein in said sensor device said thermally conductive member is electrically conductive and is operatively connected to said electrical potential and to said electrical resistant element.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said electrical circuit includes a latching means utilized to provide a steady electrical signal from said sensor device to said current indicating means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
A sensing apparatus according to claim 10 wherein in said sensor device said heat responsive members are bimetallic members.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
65 words
A sensor device according to claim 16 wherein the high expanding side of said bimetallic members are alloys consisting essentially of from about 22 percent by weight nickel, about 3 percent by weight of chromium and the balance iron and the low expanding side of said bimetallic members are alloys consisting essentially of from about 36 to about 42 percent nickel and the balance iron.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the high expanding layer of each of said bimetallic members is an alloy consisting essentially of about 22 percent by weight nickel, 3 percent by weight chromium, and balance iron, and the low expanding layer is an alloy consisting essentially of about 30 to 35 percent by weight nickel and the balance iron.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
137 words
The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said high expanding layer of said bimetallic members has a first average coefficient of thermal expansion over a temperature range of from about 0* to 150* F of at least 7 X 10 6 per *F and a second coefficient of thermal expansion over the temperature range of about 150* to 600* F lower than said first average coefficient of thermal expansion, and said low expanding layer has a first average coefficient of thermal expansion over a temperature range of about 0* to 150* F of from about 1.4 X 10 6 per *F to about 6.0 X 10 6 per *F and a second average coefficient of thermal expansion over a temperature range of from about 400* to 600* F or above about 7.0 X 10 6 per *F.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 16 wherein each of said first and second bimetallic members has a contacting portion of noble metal affixed thereto.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-28 | 1977-07-30 | 1978-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-28 | 1981-07-30 | 1982-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-28 | 1985-07-30 | 1986-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |