Pressure sensitive control apparatus with magnet actuated switch and valve

Claim 2

In fluid pressure responsive apparatus, the combination comprising: a non-magnetic housing; a diaphragm mounted across the interior of, and fixed to, said housing, said diaphragm defining an auxiliary inlet chamber and a main outlet chamber with said housing, said housing including an outlet port in free and open communication with said outlet chamber, said housing having a main inlet chamber, said housing having an inlet port in free and open communication with said main inlet chamber, said housing having a passageway providing for free and open communication between said main and auxiliary inlet chambers, said housing including a web partially defining said main inlet chamber, said web having a hole therethrough and a valve seat therearound on the main inlet chamber side thereof; a valve in said main inlet chamber to rest on said valve seat; a first spring in said main inlet chamber in compression between said valve and said housing when said valve is closed to hold said valve tightly against said seat, said web having a constricted opening therethrough spaced from said hole and providing for communication between said main inlet and outlet chambers; an assembly fixed approximately to the center of said diaphragm having one projection extending toward said housing in said auxiliary inlet chamber and another projection extending toward said valve, said other projection having a lost motion connection with said valve, said one projection being a first magnetic body; a second magnetic body outside said housing; a switch; means connected to said body for operating said switch when said one projection moves inside said housing, at least one of said bodies being a permanent magnet; and a second spring in said main outlet chamber in compression between said housing and said diaphragm when said first body contacts said housing.

Claim 3

The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein said switch includes a pair of conductive cantilever leaf springs with electrical contacts conductively bonded thereto, said second body being fixed to one of said leaf springs, said contacts being spring biased closed when said first body is located in a first position spaced a predetermined distance from said housing, the magnetic force of attraction of said bodies causing said contacts to open when said first body moves to a second position, said first body being closer to said housing in said second position than in said first position.

Claim 4

The invention as defined in claim 2, wherein said other projection is spaced from, and of contact with, said valve when said first body contacts said housing.

Claim 5

The invention as defined in claim 3, wherein said other projection and said valve are movable relative to each other along the axes thereof.

Claim 6

The invention as defined in claim 4, wherein said valve has a cylindrical recess on the axis of said hole, said other projection including a cylindrical pin to move coaxially inside said recess, said pin having an axis the same as that Of said hole, said recess being open to said main outlet chamber when said valve is closed.

Claim 7

The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein said other projection is spaced from, and of contact with, said valve when said first body contacts said housing.

Claim 8

In fluid pressure responsive apparatus, the combination comprising: a housing having a first fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet; a first valve movable to one position to allow fluid to flow from said first inlet to said first outlet and movable to another position to shut off flow from said first inlet to said first outlet; first means mounted on said housing to move said first valve to said one position when the difference between the first inlet and first outlet pressures rises to at least a predetermined magnitude and to move said first valve to said other position when said difference falls below said predetermined magnitude; second means providing a first passageway open at both of its ends and connecting said first inlet and said first means to cause said first means to be responsive to the first inlet pressure, said passageway providing free and open communication from said first inlet to said first means; third means providing a second passageway open at both of its ends and connecting said first outlet and said first means to cause said first means to also be responsive to the first outlet pressure, said second passageway providing free and open communication from said first outlet to said first means; a utilization device, said device having a base fixed relative to said housing and a body movably mounted relative to said base, said first means including a member to move said first valve; and fourth means including fifth means connected to said first means in a manner to move said body during at least a portion of the movement of said member; and a lost motion connection between said member and said first valve.

Claim 9

In fluid pressure responsive apparatus, the combination comprising: a housing having a first fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet; a first valve movable to one position to allow fluid to flow from said first inlet to said first outlet and movable to another position to shut off flow from said first inlet to said first outlet; first means mounted on said housing to move said first valve to said one position when the difference between the first inlet and first outlet pressures rises to at least a predetermined magnitude and to move said first valve to said other position when said difference falls below said predetermined magnitude; second means providing a first passageway open at both of its ends and connecting said first inlet and said first means to cause said first means to be responsive to the first inlet pressure, said passageway providing free and open communication from said first inlet to said first means; third means providing a second passageway open at both of its ends and connecting said first outlet and said first means to cause said first means to also be responsive to the first outlet pressure, said second passageway providing free and open communication from said first outlet to said first means; a utilization device, said device having a base fixed relative to said housing and a body movably mounted relative to said base, said first means including a member to move said first valve; and fourth means including fifth means connected to said first means in a manner to move said body during at least a portion of the movement of said member; and a lost motion connection between said member and said first valve.

Claim 10

The invention as defined in claim 7, wherein said first valve is moved when said member abuts the same, said lost motion connection enabling positive movement of said body over a portion of the travel of said member which is unhampered by engagement of said member with said first valve.

Claim 11

In fluid pressure responsive apparatus, the combination comprising: a housing having a first fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet; a first valve movable to one position to allow fluid to flow from said first inlet to said first outlet and movable to another position to shut off flow from said first inlet to said first outlet; first means mounted on said housing to move said first valve to said one position when the difference between the first inlet and first outlet pressures rises to at least a predetermined magnitude and to move said first valve to said other position when said difference falls below said predetermined magnitude; second means providing a first passageway open at both of its ends and connecting said first inlet and said first means to cause said first means to be responsive to the first inlet pressure, said first passageway providing free and open communication from said first inlet to said first means; third means providing a second passageway open at both of its ends and connecting said first outlet and said first means to cause said first means to also be responsive to the first outlet pressure, said second passageway providing free and open communication from said first outlet to said first means; a utilization device, said device having a base fixed relative to said housing and a body movably mounted relative to said base, said first means including a member to move said first valve; and fourth means including fifth means connected to said first means in a manner to move said body during at least a portion of the movement of said member; and sixth means providing a third passageway connecting said first inlet and said first outlet, said third passageway being open at both ends and providing free and open communication between said first inlet and said first outlet, said third passAgeway, however, having a small cross-sectional opening to provide a constriction.

Claim 12

In fluid pressure responsive apparatus, the combination comprising: a housing having a first fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet; a first valve movable to one position to allow fluid to flow from said first inlet to said first outlet and movable to another position to shut off flow from said first inlet to said first outlet; first means mounted on said housing to move said first valve to said one position when the difference between the first inlet and first outlet pressures rises to at least a predetermined magnitude and to move said first valve to said other position when said difference falls below said predetermined magnitude; second means providing a first passageway open at both of its ends and connecting said first inlet and said first means to cause said first means to be responsive to the first inlet pressure, said first passageway providing free and open communication from said first inlet to said first means; third means providing a second passageway open at both of its ends and connecting said first outlet and said first means to cause said first means to also be responsive to the first outlet pressure, said second passageway providing free and open communication from said first outlet to said first means; a utilization device, said device having a base fixed relative to said housing and a body movably mounted relative to said base, said first means including a member to move said first valve; and fourth means including fifth means connected to said first means in a manner to move said body during at least a portion of the movement of said member; and sixth means providing a third passageway connecting said first inlet and said first outlet, said third passageway being open at both ends and providing free and open communication between said first inlet and said first outlet, said third passAgeway, however, having a small cross-sectional opening to provide a constriction.

Claim 13

The invention as defined in claim 9, including a second valve having a second inlet connected from said first outlet, said third passageway equalizing the pressures in said first inlet and outlet when said second valve is closed and fluid flow out of said first outlet is thereby prevented.

Claim 14

In fluid pressure responsive apparatus, the combination comprising: a housing; a diaphragm mounted across the interior of, and fixed relative to, said housing, said diaphragm defining an auxiliary inlet chamber and a main outlet chamber with said housing, said housing including an outlet port in free and open communication with said outlet chamber, said housing having a main inlet chamber, said housing having an inlet port in free and open communication with said main inlet chamber, said housing having a passageway providing for free and open communication between said main and auxiliary inlet chambers, said housing including a web partially defining said main inlet chamber, said web having a hole therethrough and a valve seat around said hole on the main inlet chamber side thereof; a valve in said main inlet chamber to rest on said valve seat; a first spring in said main inlet chamber in compression between said valve and said housing when said valve is closed to hold said valve tightly against said seat; an electrical switch fixed relative to said housing; and second means including third means fixed relative to said diaphragm to actuate said switch, said second means including a projection extending toward said valve, said projection having a lost motion connection with said valve.

Claim 15

In fluid pressure responsive apparatus, the combination comprising: a housing; a diaphragm mounted across the interior of, and fixed relative to, said housing, said diaphragm defining an auxiliary inlet chamber and a main outlet chamber with said housing, said housing including an outlet port in free and open communication with said outlet chamber, said housing having a main inlet chamber, said housing having an inlet port in free and open communication with said main inlet chamber, said housing having a passageway providing for free and open communication between said main and auxiliary inlet chambers, said housing including a web partially defining said main inlet chamber, said web having a hole therethrough and a valve seat around said hole on the main inlet chamber side thereof; a valve in said main inlet chamber to rest on said valve seat; a first spring in said main inlet chamber in compression between said valve and said housing when said valve is closed to hold said valve tightly against said seat; an electrical switch fixed relative to said housing; and second means including third means fixed relative to said diaphragm to actuate said switch, said second means including a projection extending toward said valve, said projection having a lost motion connection with said valve.

Claim 16

The invention as defined in claim 11, including a second spring in said main outlet chamber in compression between said housing and said diaphragm.

Claim 17

The invention as defined in claim 11, including a second spring in said main outlet chamber in compression between said housing and said diaphragm.

Claim 18

In fluid pressure responsive apparatus, the combination comprising: a housing; a diaphragm mounted across the interior of, and fixed relative to, said housing, said diaphragm defining an auxiliary inlet chamber and a main outlet chamber with said housing, said housing including an outlet port in free and open communication with said outlet chamber, said housing having a main inlet chamber, said housing having an inlet port in free and open communication with said main inlet chamber, said housing having a passageway providing for free and open communciation between said main and auxiliary inlet chambers, said housing including a web partially defining said main inlet chamber, said web having a hole therethrough and a valve seat around said hole on the main inlet chamber side thereof; a valve in said main inlet chamber to rest on said valve seat; a first spring in said main inlet chamber in compression between said valve and said housing when said valve is closed to hold said valve tightly against said seat; means providing a constricted opening spaced from said hole providing for communication between said main inlet and outlet chambers; an electrical switch fixed relative to said housing; and second means including third means fixed relative to said diaphragm to actuate said switch, said second means including a projection to move said valve.

Claim 19

In fluid pressure responsive apparatus, the combination comprising: a housing; a diaphragm mounted across the interior of, and fixed relative to, said housing, said diaphragm defining an auxiliary inlet chamber and a main outlet chamber with said housing, said housing including an outlet port in free and open communication with said outlet chamber, said housing having a main inlet chamber, said housing having an inlet port in free and open communication with said main inlet chamber, said housing having a passageway providing for free and open communciation between said main and auxiliary inlet chambers, said housing including a web partially defining said main inlet chamber, said web having a hole therethrough and a valve seat around said hole on the main inlet chamber side thereof; a valve in said main inlet chamber to rest on said valve seat; a first spring in said main inlet chamber in compression between said valve and said housing when said valve is closed to hold said valve tightly against said seat; means providing a constricted opening spaced from said hole providing for communication between said main inlet and outlet chambers; an electrical switch fixed relative to said housing; and second means including third means fixed relative to said diaphragm to actuate said switch, said second means including a projection to move said valve.

Claim 20

The invention as defined in claim 14, including a second spring in said maim outlet chamber in compression between said housing and said diaphragm.

Claim 21

In fluid pressure responsive apparatus, the combination comprising: a housing; a diaphragm mounted across the interior of, and fixed relative to, said housing, said diaphragm defining an auxiliary inlet chamber and a main outlet chamber with said housing, said housing including an outlet port in free and open communication with said outlet chamber, said housing having a main inlet chamber, said housing having an inlet port in free and open communication with said main inlet chamber, said housing having a pAssageway providing for free and open communication between said main and auxiliary inlet chambers, said housing including a web partially defining said main inlet chamber, said web having a hole therethrough and a valve seat around said hole on the main inlet chamber side thereof; a valve in said main inlet chamber to rest on said valve seat; a first spring in said main inlet chamber in compression between said valve and said housing when said valve is closed to hold said valve tightly against said seat; an electrical switch fixed relative to said housing; second means including third means fixed relative to said diaphragm to actuate said switch, said second means including a projection extending toward said valve, said projection having a lost motion connection with said valve; means providing a constricted opening which, in turn, provides communication between said main inlet and outlet chambers, said opening being spaced from said hole.

Claim 22

In fluid pressure responsive apparatus, the combination comprising: a housing; a diaphragm mounted across the interior of, and fixed relative to, said housing, said diaphragm defining an auxiliary inlet chamber and a main outlet chamber with said housing, said housing including an outlet port in free and open communication with said outlet chamber, said housing having a main inlet chamber, said housing having an inlet port in free and open communication with said main inlet chamber, said housing having a pAssageway providing for free and open communication between said main and auxiliary inlet chambers, said housing including a web partially defining said main inlet chamber, said web having a hole therethrough and a valve seat around said hole on the main inlet chamber side thereof; a valve in said main inlet chamber to rest on said valve seat; a first spring in said main inlet chamber in compression between said valve and said housing when said valve is closed to hold said valve tightly against said seat; an electrical switch fixed relative to said housing; second means including third means fixed relative to said diaphragm to actuate said switch, said second means including a projection extending toward said valve, said projection having a lost motion connection with said valve; means providing a constricted opening which, in turn, provides communication between said main inlet and outlet chambers, said opening being spaced from said hole.