US3882881A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pneumatic transmitter of electrical phenomena
Assignee: FKI Industries Inc
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Filing: 1973-01-12
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Granted: 1975-05-13
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Expires: 1993-01-12
Abstract
Abstract A self contained system for converting an electrical representation of a sensed environmental condition to a fluid signal by modulating the pressure of a fluid. A source of fluid under pressure drives a turbine motor which converts the energy of the pressurized fluid to rotational energy in the form of a spinning turbine shaft. The turbine shaft in turn drives the rotor of an AC generator. The AC output of the generator is rectified and regulated to form a constant DC voltage source for generating a DC current which is modulated electronically in accordance with the electrical representation of the sensed condition and is applied to a force coil which is mounted on a movable force bar. The coil is positioned such that current flow therethrough will induce a flux field which co-acts with a permanent magnet to attract the force bar toward the magnet with a force that depends on the level of current in the winding. At the same time, fluid pressure is channelled to a readout or utilization device, which may be located remotely. This pressure is applied to a feedback bellows which serves to establish the proportionality between fluid pressure and the current in the coil and therefore with the environmental condition being sensed.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald D Mackenzie
- 👤 John L Russell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:51
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R17/00; G01R17/02; G01R17/06; G01R17/08; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0318; Y10T137/0396; Y10T137/2278; Y10T137/2409
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
An apparatus for converting an electrical signal for the fluid transmission thereof comprising: a source of fluid under pressure, means for converting the energy of said fluid to electrical energy, said electrical energy being in the form of a DC current, means for sensing a physical condition and for generating an electrical signal representative thereof, means for modulating said DC current in accordance with said electrical signal representative of said sensed condition, conduit means for channelling off a portion of said fluid at said source, said channelled fluid having an input pressure and output pressure, and means for varying the output Pressure of said channelled fluid in accordance with said modulated electrical current.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
113 words
An apparatus for converting an electrical signal for the fluid transmission thereof comprising: a source of fluid under pressure, means for converting the energy of said fluid to electrical energy, said electrical energy being in the form of a DC current, means for sensing a physical condition and for generating an electrical signal representative thereof, means for modulating said DC current in accordance with said electrical signal representative of said sensed condition, conduit means for channelling off a portion of said fluid at said source, said channelled fluid having an input pressure and output pressure, and means for varying the output Pressure of said channelled fluid in accordance with said modulated electrical current.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
86 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for varying the pressure of said channelled fluid in accordance with said modulated electrical current comprises: variable orifice means for bleeding off a portion of said channelled fluid, orifice means for limiting flow of said channelled fluid, lever means positioned proximate said variable orifice means, and electromagnetic means responsive to said modulated electrical current for moving said lever means with respect to said variable orifice means in accordance with said electrical signal representative of said sensed physical condition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for converting the energy of said fluid under pressure to electrical energy comprises: means for converting the energy of said fluid under pressure to rotational kinetic energy, and means for converting said rotational kinetic energy to electrical energy, said electrical energy being in the form of a DC current.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said means for converting the energy of said fluid under pressure to rotational kinetic energy is a turbine motor and wherein said means for converting said rotational kinetic energy to electrical energy is an AC generator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising: means for rectifying the output of said generator, and means for regulating said rectified output.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising: feedback means responsive to the movement of said lever for returning said lever to its original position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said feedback means comprises a bellows secured at one end to said lever means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said generator comprises a stator having an annular core and at least one winding thereabout, and a rotor, said rotor including a permanent magnet having its north and south poles aligned with the axis of rotation thereof, and a pair of soft iron shoes positioned at each end of said magnet, said shoes having side portions proximate the inner periphery of said stator core.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said stator has four windings spaced equidistantly about said stator core, and wherein the side portions of said rotor shoes interleave proximate the inside periphery of said stator.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
131 words
An apparatus for using electrical power in monitoring a physical condition at a location along a conduit for the transport of fluid where electrical power is not otherwise available, said apparatus comprising means for sensing said physical condition and for generating an electrical signal representative thereof; means for converting energy of fluid in said conduit to electrical energy, said electrical energy being used only to supply power to said sensing and generating means; means for forming an output electrical signal related to said representative electrical signal; means for channeling off a portion of the fluid in said conduit for transport of fluid, said channeled fluid having an input pressure and an output pressure; and means for varying the output pressure of said channeled fluid in accordance with said output electrical signal.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
131 words
An apparatus for using electrical power in monitoring a physical condition at a location along a conduit for the transport of fluid where electrical power is not otherwise available, said apparatus comprising means for sensing said physical condition and for generating an electrical signal representative thereof; means for converting energy of fluid in said conduit to electrical energy, said electrical energy being used only to supply power to said sensing and generating means; means for forming an output electrical signal related to said representative electrical signal; means for channeling off a portion of the fluid in said conduit for transport of fluid, said channeled fluid having an input pressure and an output pressure; and means for varying the output pressure of said channeled fluid in accordance with said output electrical signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
83 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said means for varying the output pressure of said channelled fluid comprises: orifice means for limiting the flow of said channelled fluid from the conduit for transport of fluid, variable orifice means for bleeding off a portion of said channelled fluid, lever means positioned proximate said variable orifice means, and electromagnetic means responsive to said output electrical signal for moving said lever means with respect to said variable orifice means in accordance with said output electrical signal.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for using electrical power in monitoring a physical condition at a location along a conduit for transport of a fluid where electrical power is not otherwise available, said method comprising the steps of: sensing said physical conditiOn and generating an electrical signal representative thereof; converting energy of fluid in said conduit to electrical energy, said electrical energy being used to supply power only to said sensing and generating means; forming an output electrical signal related to said representative electrical signal; channeling off a portion of the fluid in said conduit for transport of fluid, said channeled fluid having an input pressure and an output pressure; and varying the output pressure of said channeled fluid in accordance with said output electrical signal.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for using electrical power in monitoring a physical condition at a location along a conduit for transport of a fluid where electrical power is not otherwise available, said method comprising the steps of: sensing said physical conditiOn and generating an electrical signal representative thereof; converting energy of fluid in said conduit to electrical energy, said electrical energy being used to supply power only to said sensing and generating means; forming an output electrical signal related to said representative electrical signal; channeling off a portion of the fluid in said conduit for transport of fluid, said channeled fluid having an input pressure and an output pressure; and varying the output pressure of said channeled fluid in accordance with said output electrical signal.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for using electrical power in monitoring a physical condition at a location along a conduit for transport of a fluid where electrical power is not otherwise available, said method comprising the steps of: sensing said physical condition and generating an electrical signal representative thereof; converting energy of fluid in said conduit to electrical energy, said electrical energy being used to supply power only to said sensing and generating means; forming an output electrical signal related to said representative electrical signal; and varying in accordance with said output signal the pressure of a fluid stream conveyed through a second conduit by bleeding off through an orifice a portion of said fluid stream and moving a lever means with respect to said orifice in accordance with said output signal related to said sensed physical condition.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for using electrical power in monitoring a physical condition at a location along a conduit for transport of a fluid where electrical power is not otherwise available, said method comprising the steps of: sensing said physical condition and generating an electrical signal representative thereof; converting energy of fluid in said conduit to electrical energy, said electrical energy being used to supply power only to said sensing and generating means; forming an output electrical signal related to said representative electrical signal; and varying in accordance with said output signal the pressure of a fluid stream conveyed through a second conduit by bleeding off through an orifice a portion of said fluid stream and moving a lever means with respect to said orifice in accordance with said output signal related to said sensed physical condition.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the step of converting the energy of said fluid to electrical energy comprises the steps of: converting the energy of said fluid to rotational kinetic energy, and converting said rotational kinetic energy to electrical current.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 14 further comprising the steps of: rectifying said generated electrical current, and regulating said rectified electrical current.
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) | 1978-05-12 | 1978-11-11 | 1979-05-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-12 | 1982-11-11 | 1983-05-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-12 | 1986-11-11 | 1987-05-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |