US4085336A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid flow activated switch
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1976-08-09
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Granted: 1978-04-18
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Expires: 1996-08-09
Abstract
Abstract A liquid flow activated switch is operative to effect completion of an electrical circuit and energizing of an electrical power using device, such as an electric water heater, upon commencing of liquid flow through a liquid inlet of a housing having walls defining a chamber therein. A switch member is pivotally mounted in the chamber and has a first portion positioned between the liquid inlet and a liquid outlet so that liquid entering the chamber impinges upon the first portion of the switch member to move a second portion of the switch member and a magnet thereon to a second position energizing magnetically operated components mounted on the housing and electrically connected to the electrical circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles M. Miles
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 23:08
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H35/00; H01H35/24; H01H35/40; H01H35/405
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
221 words
A liquid flow activated switch comprising: (a) a housing having walls defining a chamber therein; (b) means on said housing defining a liquid inlet communicating with the chamber; (c) means mounted on said housing in spaced relation to said liquid inlet defining a liquid outlet commnicating with the chamber; (d) a switch member pivotally mounted in the chamber and having a first portion and a second portion; said switch member first portion being positioned adjacent said liquid inlet whereby liquid entering the chamber through said liquid inlet impinges upon the same and pivots said switch member from a first to a second position; (e) a magnet mounted on said switch member second portion and movable therewith; (f) an electrical circuit having magnetically operated means on said housing and positioned such that movement of said switch member to the second position effects completion of said electrical circuit; and wherein (g) said magnetically operated means includes a normally-closed magnetic switch positioned to be opened when said magnet and switch member are in said first position thereby breaking said electrical circuit, and a normally-open magnetic switch positioned to be closed when said magnet and switch member are in said second position thereby completing said electrical circuit; said normally-closed switch and said normally-open switch being interconnected in series for reliable switching of said electrical circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
221 words
A liquid flow activated switch comprising: (a) a housing having walls defining a chamber therein; (b) means on said housing defining a liquid inlet communicating with the chamber; (c) means mounted on said housing in spaced relation to said liquid inlet defining a liquid outlet commnicating with the chamber; (d) a switch member pivotally mounted in the chamber and having a first portion and a second portion; said switch member first portion being positioned adjacent said liquid inlet whereby liquid entering the chamber through said liquid inlet impinges upon the same and pivots said switch member from a first to a second position; (e) a magnet mounted on said switch member second portion and movable therewith; (f) an electrical circuit having magnetically operated means on said housing and positioned such that movement of said switch member to the second position effects completion of said electrical circuit; and wherein (g) said magnetically operated means includes a normally-closed magnetic switch positioned to be opened when said magnet and switch member are in said first position thereby breaking said electrical circuit, and a normally-open magnetic switch positioned to be closed when said magnet and switch member are in said second position thereby completing said electrical circuit; said normally-closed switch and said normally-open switch being interconnected in series for reliable switching of said electrical circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
151 words
A liquid flow activated switch as set forth in claim 1 wherein said electrical circuit includes: (a) a source of electrical power; (b) transformer means electrically connected to the source of electrical power and to one of said normally-closed magnetic switch and said normally-open magnetic switch; (c) coil relay means electrically connected to said transformer means and to the other of said normally-closed magnetic switch and said normally-open magnetic switch, said coil relay means being energized by said magnet being positioned in said second position; and (d) switch means having first contacts electrically connected to the source of electric power and second contacts adapted for electrical connection to an electrical power using device, said second contacts being movable into circuit making contact with said first contacts upon energizing said coil relay means by movement of said switch member and magnet to said second position thereby energizing the electrical power using device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
106 words
A liquid flow activated switch as set forth in claim 1 including: (a) a tubular member having one end connected with said liquid inlet and a free end extending downwardly therefrom into said chamber adjacent said switch member first portion; and wherein (b) said switch member is pivotally mounted in said chamber at a pivot joint;and (c) said switch member first portion is generally downwardly inclined from said pivot joint, and is disposed at an acute angle to a central axis of the tubular member, whereby said liquid impinges upon the switch member first portion at an acute angle to alleviate flow restriction through the switch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A liquid flow activated switch as set forth in claim 3 wherein: (a) said tubular member free end is laterally offset from said liquid outlet, whereby liquid flow through said switch retains said switch member in the second position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A liquid flow activated switch as set forth in claim 1 wherein: (a) said normally-closed switch and said normally-open switch are each mounted on an outside surface of said housing for safe operation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
A liquid flow activated switch as set forth in claim 3 wherein: (a) said switch member first portion includes opposing sides edges and a lateral dimension substantially co-extensive with the tubular member free end; said first portion side edges each being spaced apart from an associated interior surface of said housing walls whereby said liquid flows therebetween for gentle pivoting of said switch member and reliable switching.
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) | 1981-04-17 | 1981-10-17 | 1982-04-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-04-17 | 1985-10-17 | 1986-04-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-04-17 | 1989-10-17 | 1990-04-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |