Patent US5121109A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5121109A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Adjustable set point signalling gauge
Assignee: MURPHY MANAGEMENT Inc D/B/A FRANK W MURPHY MFR
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Filing: 1990-09-12
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Granted: 1992-06-09
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Expires: 2010-09-12
Abstract
Abstract An adjustable signalling gauge may utilize a non-captivating, magnetically actuated switch element which is mounted in an influence zone of the path of a magnet carried by an indicating pointer of a gauge. The gauge may be easily adjusted by an indirect adjustment mechanism. The adjustment may be by a reducing gear. Indirect adjustment effectively allows a reduction in the torque required to change the switching threshold.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank W. Murphy, Jr.
- 👤 James R. Francisco
- 👤 Troy Teague
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 09:21
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D5/00; G01D5/12; G01D5/14; G01D5/142; G01D5/145; G01D13/00; G01D13/22; G01D13/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
An adjustable-set-point signalling gauge comprising: a gauge movement responsive to a sensed condition; means for indicating said sensed condition responsive to said gauge movement; means for setting a switching threshold mounted in a path of said means for indicating; means for indirectly adjusting said means for setting, said means for indirectly adjusting including stop means for stopping the motion of said means for indirectly adjusting beyond a predetermined displacement; and a drive connected to said means for indirectly adjusting said means for setting.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
An adjustable-set-point signalling gauge comprising: a gauge movement responsive to a sensed condition; means for indicating said sensed condition responsive to said gauge movement; means for setting a switching threshold mounted in a path of said means for indicating; means for indirectly adjusting said means for setting, said means for indirectly adjusting including stop means for stopping the motion of said means for indirectly adjusting beyond a predetermined displacement; and a drive connected to said means for indirectly adjusting said means for setting.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
An adjustable-set-point signalling gauge according to claim 1, wherein said stop means is located on said means for indirectly adjusting.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
An adjustable-set-point signalling gauge comprising: a gauge movement responsive to a sensed condition; means for indicating said sensed condition responsive to said gauge movement; means for setting a switching threshold mounted in a path of said means for indicating; and means for indirectly adjusting said means for setting, said means for indirectly adjusting including stop means for stopping the motion of said means for indirectly adjusting beyond a predetermined displacement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
An adjustable-set-point signalling gauge comprising: a gauge movement responsive to a sensed condition; means for indicating said sensed condition responsive to said gauge movement; means for setting a switching threshold mounted in a path of said means for indicating; and means for indirectly adjusting said means for setting, said means for indirectly adjusting including stop means for stopping the motion of said means for indirectly adjusting beyond a predetermined displacement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
An adjustable-set-point signalling gauge according to claim 3 wherein said means for indirectly adjusting is a means for amplifying adjustment torque.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
An adjustable-set-point signalling gauge according to claim 4 further comprising means for signalling said threshold wherein said means for signalling comprises a first switch element mounted on said means for indicating and a second switch element mounted on said means for setting.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
An adjustable-set-point signalling gauge according to claim 5 wherein said means for signalling a sensed threshold condition is an opto-electronic switch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
An adjustable-set-point signalling gauge according to claim 5 wherein said means for signalling a sensed threshold condition is a non-captivating, magnetically actuated switch element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
An adjustable-set-point signalling gauge according to claim 5 wherein said means for signalling a sensed threshold condition is an electromechanical switch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
An adjustable-set-point signalling gauge according to claim 5 wherein said means for signalling a sensed threshold condition is a magnetic switch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
An adjustable-set-point signalling gauge according to claim 3, wherein said stop means is located on said means for indirectly adjusting.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
112 words
An adjustable-set-point signalling gauge comprising: a gauge movement responsive to a sensed condition; an indicating element comprising at least a pointer mounted on said gauge movement; a first switch element mounted on said indicating element; an adjustable-threshold set-point element carrying a second switch element; a plurality of gear teeth arranged on said set-point element; a drive gear mounted to cooperate with said teeth; an adjustment knob connected to said drive gear; a programmable logic controller responsive to said switch elements; and a motion limiter located in a plane of motion of said plurality of gear teeth and configured so motion of said plurality of gear teeth is prevented beyond a predetermined displacement.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
112 words
An adjustable-set-point signalling gauge comprising: a gauge movement responsive to a sensed condition; an indicating element comprising at least a pointer mounted on said gauge movement; a first switch element mounted on said indicating element; an adjustable-threshold set-point element carrying a second switch element; a plurality of gear teeth arranged on said set-point element; a drive gear mounted to cooperate with said teeth; an adjustment knob connected to said drive gear; a programmable logic controller responsive to said switch elements; and a motion limiter located in a plane of motion of said plurality of gear teeth and configured so motion of said plurality of gear teeth is prevented beyond a predetermined displacement.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
104 words
An adjustable-set-point signalling gauge comprising: a gauge movement responsive to a sensed condition; an indicating element comprising at least a pointer mounted on said gauge movement; a first switch element mounted on said indicating element; an adjustable-threshold set-point element carrying a second switch element; a plurality of gear teeth arranged on said set-point element; a motion limiter located in a plane of motion of said plurality of gear teeth and configured so motion of said plurality of gear teeth is prevented beyond a predetermined displacement; a drive gear mounted to cooperate with said gear teeth; and an adjustment knob connected to said drive gear.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
104 words
An adjustable-set-point signalling gauge comprising: a gauge movement responsive to a sensed condition; an indicating element comprising at least a pointer mounted on said gauge movement; a first switch element mounted on said indicating element; an adjustable-threshold set-point element carrying a second switch element; a plurality of gear teeth arranged on said set-point element; a motion limiter located in a plane of motion of said plurality of gear teeth and configured so motion of said plurality of gear teeth is prevented beyond a predetermined displacement; a drive gear mounted to cooperate with said gear teeth; and an adjustment knob connected to said drive gear.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
An adjustable-set-point signalling gauge according to claim 12 wherein: said first switch element is a magnet; and said second switch element is a non-captivating, magnetically actuated switch element mounted in an influence zone of a path of said magnet.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
A gauge according to claim 13 wherein said second switch element is a Hall effect device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
A gauge according to claim 14 wherein said Hall effect device is mounted on a gauge face plate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
A gauge according to claim 15 wherein said Hall effect device is recessed into said face plate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
A gauge according to claim 15 wherein said Hall effect device is a bipolar Hall effect digital latch.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
A gauge according to claim 17 wherein the axis of said magnet is aligned in said path and perpendicular to a sensing axis of said Hall effect digital latch.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
A gauge according to claim 18 wherein a leading end of said magnet, during an increasing sensed condition, exhibits a flux polarity corresponding to an activating flux polarity of said Hall effect digital latch.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
A gauge according to claim 17 further comprising: a control circuit responsive to said Hall effect digital latch.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
A gauge according to claim 14 further comprising an indicator responsive to said Hall effect device.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
A gauge according to claim 21 wherein said indicator is an optical indicator.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
13 words
A gauge according to claim 21 wherein said indicator is an audio indicator.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
A gauge according to claim 14 wherein said movement is a Bourdon tube or diaphragm type of movement.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
A gauge according to claim 14 wherein said movement is an electrical movement.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
A gauge according to claim 25 wherein said movement is a D'Arsonval type movement.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
A gauge according to claim 14 wherein said Hall effect device is mounted on an adjustable member.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
A gauge according to claim 27 further comprising a plurality of Hall effect devices mounted on adjustable members.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
A gauge according to claim 28 wherein said Hall effect devices are switches; and further comprising at least; a latch connected to at least two of said switches.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
A gauge according to claim 28 further comprising a control device connected to said Hall effect devices.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
20 words
An adjustable-set-point signalling gauge according to claim 12, wherein said motion limiter is located on said plurality of gear teeth.
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) | 1995-06-09 | 1995-12-09 | 1996-06-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-06-09 | 1999-12-09 | 2000-06-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-06-09 | 2003-12-09 | 2004-06-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |