US3896280A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Valve position indicator
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1974-03-13
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Granted: 1975-07-22
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Expires: 1994-03-13
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to means for remotely indicating when a fluid valve element is in its open or closed positions. The indicating means comprises a reed switch arranged in near association to a magnet operator connected to the valve element. As the valve element opens or closes the magnet operator moves toward or away from the contacts of the reed switch. When the magnet operator is sufficiently close to the switch contacts such contacts close to energize a control circuit for a remotely located alarm, such as a lamp or buzzer.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas O Blake
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 08:54
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D35/00; B01D35/14; B01D35/143; F; F16; F16K; F16K37/00; F16K37/0025; F16K37/0033; F16K37/0041; H; H01; H01H; H01H36/00; H01H36/0006; H01H36/0046; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8158; Y10T137/8225; Y10T137/8242
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
341 words
In an engine lubricating system having an oil filter mounted on a base to receive dirty oil from a first passage therein and to discharge clean oil to a second passage therein; said base having a first sealable bore therein which forms a pressure relief passage between the first and second passages; a pressureresponsive plunger slidably disposed in said bore to move between a first closed position preventing flow through the relief passage and a second open position permitting flow through the relief passage; and a compression coil spring biasing the plunger toward the first passage in opposition to the pressure drop created across the first and second passages by the oil filter, whereby the plunger moves to its open position only when the filter is sufficiently obstructed to generate abnormally high oil pressures on the upstream face of said plunger: the improvement comprising means for indicating an open condition of the plunger; said indicating means comprising an elongated cap member attached to the oil filter base to seal the open end of said first bore; said cap member having a second internal bore forming an axial continuation of the base bore, and a third external bore parallel to the axis defined by the first and second bores; said plunger being equipped with a special stem that projects therefrom into the second internal bore formed in the cap member; a magnet operator carried on a section of the stem within the cap member internal bore for reciprocatory movement with the stem and plunger; the aforementioned coil spring being located so as to surround the stem in the axial space between the plunger and a shoulder defined by the cap member internal bore; and a reed switch located within the third external bore of the cap member for actuation by the magnet operator; said magnet operator being movable by the stem so that the switch coNtacts are closed as soon as the pressure-relief plunger begins to crack open in response to abnormally high pressures generated on the upstream face of the plunger.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
341 words
In an engine lubricating system having an oil filter mounted on a base to receive dirty oil from a first passage therein and to discharge clean oil to a second passage therein; said base having a first sealable bore therein which forms a pressure relief passage between the first and second passages; a pressureresponsive plunger slidably disposed in said bore to move between a first closed position preventing flow through the relief passage and a second open position permitting flow through the relief passage; and a compression coil spring biasing the plunger toward the first passage in opposition to the pressure drop created across the first and second passages by the oil filter, whereby the plunger moves to its open position only when the filter is sufficiently obstructed to generate abnormally high oil pressures on the upstream face of said plunger: the improvement comprising means for indicating an open condition of the plunger; said indicating means comprising an elongated cap member attached to the oil filter base to seal the open end of said first bore; said cap member having a second internal bore forming an axial continuation of the base bore, and a third external bore parallel to the axis defined by the first and second bores; said plunger being equipped with a special stem that projects therefrom into the second internal bore formed in the cap member; a magnet operator carried on a section of the stem within the cap member internal bore for reciprocatory movement with the stem and plunger; the aforementioned coil spring being located so as to surround the stem in the axial space between the plunger and a shoulder defined by the cap member internal bore; and a reed switch located within the third external bore of the cap member for actuation by the magnet operator; said magnet operator being movable by the stem so that the switch coNtacts are closed as soon as the pressure-relief plunger begins to crack open in response to abnormally high pressures generated on the upstream face of the plunger.
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) | 1978-07-21 | 1979-01-20 | 1979-07-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-21 | 1983-01-20 | 1983-07-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-21 | 1987-01-20 | 1987-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |