US4567394A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electro-pneumatic signal converter
Assignee: Hygrama AG
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Filing: 1984-01-11
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Granted: 1986-01-28
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Expires: 2004-01-11
Abstract
Abstract An electro-pneumatic signal converter, having a piezo-electric bending element (1) which bends when an electrical voltage is applied and controls a pneumatic signal transmitter. The piezo-electric bending element (1) is securely clamped in a sealed transmitter casing (4) and controls an air inlet seating (7) and an air outlet seating (8) which are inserted opposite one another in the transmitter casing (4). In the absence of electrical voltage the piezo-electric bending element (1) bears against the air inlet seating (7), against which it is pretensioned. When a voltage is applied, it separates from the air inlet seating (7) and closes the air outlet seating (8). The respective pneumatic signal is taken off on a signal output (10) which is led out of the sealed space (9) of the transmitter casing.
Inventors
- 👤 Herbert Frisch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:28
CPC Classifications
F; F15; F15B; F15B5/00; F15B5/003; F16; F16K; F16K31/00; F16K31/004; F16K31/005; F16K31/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
An electro-pneumatic signal converter, comprising a sealed casing having an air inlet thereto, an air outlet therefrom opposite said air inlet, both with a seating, and a signal output therefrom, a piezoelectric bending element which bends when an electrical voltage is applied to the signal converter, the bending element being securely clamped in a clamping area remote from said air inlet and outlet seatings to be centered in said casing and pressed against a contact surface thereof by a spring member controlling the air inlet seating and the air outlet seating to control the passage of air through the signal converter, the bending element being pretensioned against the air inlet seating and, in the absence of electrical voltage, bearing on the latter in a sealing manner, and when an electrical voltage is supplied to the signal converter, separating from the air inlet seating, bending towards the air outlet seating and closing the latter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
An electro-pneumatic signal converter, comprising a sealed casing having an air inlet thereto, an air outlet therefrom opposite said air inlet, both with a seating, and a signal output therefrom, a piezoelectric bending element which bends when an electrical voltage is applied to the signal converter, the bending element being securely clamped in a clamping area remote from said air inlet and outlet seatings to be centered in said casing and pressed against a contact surface thereof by a spring member controlling the air inlet seating and the air outlet seating to control the passage of air through the signal converter, the bending element being pretensioned against the air inlet seating and, in the absence of electrical voltage, bearing on the latter in a sealing manner, and when an electrical voltage is supplied to the signal converter, separating from the air inlet seating, bending towards the air outlet seating and closing the latter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A signal converter as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bending element is pretensioned against the air inlet seating by a spring which acts upon it and which at the same time is formed as an electrode for the voltage supply to the signal converter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A signal converter as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a pneumatic pressure controller arranged upstream of said air inlet seating and an amplifier connected to said signal output.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A signal converter as claimed in claim 3 wherein the sealed casing, the pressure controller and the amplifier are assembled in a common converter casing in which said sealed casing is interchangeably clamped as a capsule.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A signal converter as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a voltage-limiting circuit for applying said electrical voltage to said bending element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A signal converter as claimed in claim 5 wherein the voltage-limiting circuit comprises a rectifier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A signal converter as claimed in claim 5 wherein the voltage limiting circuit is located in the common converter casing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A signal converter as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bending element comprises at least one lamina of piezo-ceramic material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A signal converter as claimed in claim 1 wherein said spring member comprises an O-ring of resilient material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-01-27 | 1989-07-29 | 1990-01-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-01-27 | 1993-07-29 | 1994-01-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-01-27 | 1997-07-29 | 1998-01-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |