Patent US3852546A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3852546A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pressure actuable switch apparatus with bellows and fluid damping means
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1973-03-06
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Granted: 1974-12-03
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Expires: 1993-03-06
Abstract
Abstract Pressure actuable switch apparatus is disclosed as comprising a switch mechanism, an envelope for receiving the switch mechanism therein and having a portion displaceable in response to increased external pressure, and a translating mechanism responsive to the displacement of the envelope portion for moving an arm of the switch mechanism from a first position to a second position. First and second electrical contacts are mounted within the envelope to engage electrically the arm when it is disposed respectively at the first and second positions. Illustratively, the translating mechanism includes a spline housing defining at least one spline, an actuating cam member coupled with the envelope portion for movement therewith, and a ratchet cam for moving the arm. The actuating and ratchet cams each have keys and are disposed within the spline housing so that the respective keys are channeled within the spline thereof for controlled movement as the envelope portion is displaced, to move the actuating cam to engage the ratchet cam. The actuating and ratchet cams include engaging cam surfaces, illustratively in the form of sets of mutually-engaging teeth. The key of one of the actuating and ratchet cams is displaced from the position of the other key with respect to its cam surface, whereby the displacement of the envelope portion and the actuating cam as external pressure increases, directs the ratchet cam and arm from the first to the second position. The spline housing may be provided with a plurality of splines whereby the ratchet cam may be successively moved from the first to the second to any of a plurality of positions upon repeated raising and lowering of the external pressure.
Inventors
- 👤 R Maxwell
- 👤 F Coyle
- 👤 G Gillepsie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 14:19
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/50; H01H13/56; H01H13/58; H01H35/00; H01H35/24; H01H35/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
Pressure actuatable switch apparatus comprising: a. an envelope for receiving switch means therein and having a diaphragm portion displaceable in response to changes of external pressure with respect to that established within said envelope; b. first and second contacts disposed within said envelope, at first and second switch positions, respectively; c. said switch means comprising a switch member movable to each of said first and second switch positions; d. translating means for securely setting said switch member at each of said first and second positions and responsive to the displacement of said diaphragm portion to release said switch member from said first position and move said switch member to said second position, said translating means effecting the movement of said switch member from said first position to said second position in response to the increase of the external pressure from a normal pressure level to a first pressure level and the subsequent decrease of the external pressure from said first level to said normal pressure level; and e. reset means responsive to the increase of external pressure from said normal level to a second level greater than said first level for disposing said switch member to said first position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
Pressure actuatable switch apparatus comprising: a. an envelope for receiving switch means therein and having a diaphragm portion displaceable in response to changes of external pressure with respect to that established within said envelope; b. first and second contacts disposed within said envelope, at first and second switch positions, respectively; c. said switch means comprising a switch member movable to each of said first and second switch positions; d. translating means for securely setting said switch member at each of said first and second positions and responsive to the displacement of said diaphragm portion to release said switch member from said first position and move said switch member to said second position, said translating means effecting the movement of said switch member from said first position to said second position in response to the increase of the external pressure from a normal pressure level to a first pressure level and the subsequent decrease of the external pressure from said first level to said normal pressure level; and e. reset means responsive to the increase of external pressure from said normal level to a second level greater than said first level for disposing said switch member to said first position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
365 words
Pressure actuatable switch apparatus comprising: a. an envelope for receiving switch means therein and having a diaphragm portion displaceable in response to changes of external pressure with rEspect to that established within said envelope; b. first and second contacts disposed within said envelope at first and second switch positions, respectively; c. said switch means comprising a switch member movable to each of said first and second switch positions; d. translating means for securely setting said switch member at each of said first and second positions and responsive to the displacement of said envelope portion to release said switch member from said first switch position and move said switch member to said second switch position, said translating means comprising an actuating cam coupled to said displaceable diaphragm portion for movement therewith, said actuating cam having a first cam surface, and a ratchet cam for supporting said switch member for movement therewith and having a second cam surface for engagement with said first cam surface whereby upon displacement of said actuating cam in response to a change of external pressure, said ratchet cam is moved so that said switch member is disposed from said first to said second switch position, a spline housing fixably mounted within said envelope for receiving said actuating cam and said ratchet cam, said spline housing defining at least first and second splines corresponding to said first and second switch positions, said actuating and ratchet cams each having at least one key disposable within one of said splines, and biasing means for urging said ratchet cam to engage said actuating cam against displacement of said diaphragm portion; and e. reset means comprising spring means for urging said ratchet cam to said first position, stop means disposed within said envelope to engage at said first switch position said switch member as it is urged by said spring means, said actuating cam and said ratchet cam being released from said spline housing in response to an increase in pressure to a level dependent upon the force exerted by said spring means upon said ratchet cam to permit movement by said spring means of said ratchet cam and said switch member to said first switch position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
365 words
Pressure actuatable switch apparatus comprising: a. an envelope for receiving switch means therein and having a diaphragm portion displaceable in response to changes of external pressure with rEspect to that established within said envelope; b. first and second contacts disposed within said envelope at first and second switch positions, respectively; c. said switch means comprising a switch member movable to each of said first and second switch positions; d. translating means for securely setting said switch member at each of said first and second positions and responsive to the displacement of said envelope portion to release said switch member from said first switch position and move said switch member to said second switch position, said translating means comprising an actuating cam coupled to said displaceable diaphragm portion for movement therewith, said actuating cam having a first cam surface, and a ratchet cam for supporting said switch member for movement therewith and having a second cam surface for engagement with said first cam surface whereby upon displacement of said actuating cam in response to a change of external pressure, said ratchet cam is moved so that said switch member is disposed from said first to said second switch position, a spline housing fixably mounted within said envelope for receiving said actuating cam and said ratchet cam, said spline housing defining at least first and second splines corresponding to said first and second switch positions, said actuating and ratchet cams each having at least one key disposable within one of said splines, and biasing means for urging said ratchet cam to engage said actuating cam against displacement of said diaphragm portion; and e. reset means comprising spring means for urging said ratchet cam to said first position, stop means disposed within said envelope to engage at said first switch position said switch member as it is urged by said spring means, said actuating cam and said ratchet cam being released from said spline housing in response to an increase in pressure to a level dependent upon the force exerted by said spring means upon said ratchet cam to permit movement by said spring means of said ratchet cam and said switch member to said first switch position.
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) | 1977-12-02 | 1978-06-03 | 1978-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-02 | 1982-06-03 | 1982-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-02 | 1986-06-03 | 1986-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |