Differential pressure actuated switch with contact on diaphragm

Claim 2

A pressure actuated switch comprising a frame means forming an enclosed chamber having a pressure fluid inlet connecting thereto, a flexible diaphragm supported at its periphery by said frame means and having a center area extending across said chamber to separate it into a first chamber connecting to said fluid inlet and a second chamber, a member of flowable plastic positioned in and only partly filling said second chamber, said member being adjacent to one face of said diaphragm and being deformed by movement of said diaphragm towards an end of said second chamber formed by said frame means, a contact means on said diaphragm and movable to operatively contact said frame means by deflection of said diaphragm against the deformation resistance of said member by pressure differential between said chambers, and connection means connecting to said contact means and extending from said frame to form a terminal of said switch.

Claim 3

A switch as in claim 1 where said plastic member is of a thickness to fill the second chamber in at least one portion thereof extending between said diaphragm and said end of said second chamber.

Claim 4

A pressure actuated switch as in claim 1 where said connection means are insulated from said frame means, and said member in said second chamber being annular and having radial clearance in said second chamber.

Claim 5

A pressure actuated switch as in claim 1 where a face of said diaphragm, said member and the end of the second chamber are normally in contact with each other, and said member supports substantially the entire center area of said diaphragm.

Claim 6

A pressure differential actuated switch comprising a frame having a pair of fluid inlets and a bore connecting the inlets, a flexible diaphragm on said frame and forming a seal extending across said center bore, a center contact on said diaphragm extending in opposed directions in said bore from said diaphragm, an electrical connector, insulated from said frame, communicating with said contact and extending to a point remote from said frame; said diaphragm being movable in either direction to move said contact to abut against said frame, and a flowable plastic member positioned adjacent each face of said diaphragm and resiliently resisting distortion of said diaphragm in either direction by any unbalanced pressures exerted thereon.

Claim 7

A pressure differential actuated switch comprising a frame having a pair of fluid inlets and a bore connecting the inlets, a flexible diaphragm on said frame and forming a seal extending across said center bore, a center contact on said diaphragm extending in opposed directions in said bore from said diaphragm, an electrical connector, insulated from said frame, communicating with said contact and extending to a point remote from said frame; said diaphragm being movable in either direction to move said contact to abut against said frame, and a flowable plastic member positioned adjacent each face of said diaphragm and resiliently resisting distortion of said diaphragm in either direction by any unbalanced pressures exerted thereon.

Claim 8

A switch as in claim 5 where said diaphragm forms two chambers in said bore, one plastic member being positioned in each of said chambers but only partly filling the same.

Claim 9

A switch as in claim 6 where said plastic members each have a face surface thereon adjacent said diaphragm, and said diaphragm is normally in operative contact with both of said face surfaces.

Claim 10

A switch as in claim 6 where said frame is metal and is formed in two parts, said diaphragm being positioned between said parts and insulating them from each other, said plastic member being made from substantially uncompressible material.

Claim 11

A pressure actuated switch comprising a frame means forming an enclosed chamber having a fluid inlet connecting thereto for connection to a fluid pressure system, a resilient elastomeric diaphragm extending across said chamber to separate it into a first chamber connecting to said fluid inlet and a second chamber, a spring member of resilient elastomeric material positioned in and only partly filling said second chamber, said member being adjacent to one face of said diaphragm and being of substantially the area of said diaphragm to support the same and being deformed by movement of said diaphragm towards an end of said chamber by pressure in said first chamber from the fluid pressure system, a contact means on said diaphragm and movable with the diaphragm to operatively engage said end of said second chamber of said frame means by deflection of said diaphragm against the deformation resistance of said member, a terminal for the switch associated with said second chamber end, and connection means connecting to said contact means and extending from said frame to form a second terminal of said switch.

Claim 12

A pressure actuated switch comprising a frame means forming an enclosed chamber having a fluid inlet connecting thereto for connection to a fluid pressure system, a resilient elastomeric diaphragm extending across said chamber to separate it into a first chamber connecting to said fluid inlet and a second chamber, a spring member of resilient elastomeric material positioned in and only partly filling said second chamber, said member being adjacent to one face of said diaphragm and being of substantially the area of said diaphragm to support the same and being deformed by movement of said diaphragm towards an end of said chamber by pressure in said first chamber from the fluid pressure system, a contact means on said diaphragm and movable with the diaphragm to operatively engage said end of said second chamber of said frame means by deflection of said diaphragm against the deformation resistance of said member, a terminal for the switch associated with said second chamber end, and connection means connecting to said contact means and extending from said frame to form a second terminal of said switch.