EP0815574A1 - Contacteur electrique a double detection d'immersion - Google Patents
Contacteur electrique a double detection d'immersionInfo
- Publication number
- EP0815574A1 EP0815574A1 EP96905911A EP96905911A EP0815574A1 EP 0815574 A1 EP0815574 A1 EP 0815574A1 EP 96905911 A EP96905911 A EP 96905911A EP 96905911 A EP96905911 A EP 96905911A EP 0815574 A1 EP0815574 A1 EP 0815574A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- contactor according
- electrodes
- contactor
- immersion
- wall
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000007654 immersion Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 62
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 32
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 claims description 35
- 239000003990 capacitor Substances 0.000 claims description 17
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 claims description 11
- 239000012982 microporous membrane Substances 0.000 claims description 11
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000002657 fibrous material Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000002209 hydrophobic effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000001960 triggered effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- -1 polytetrafluorethylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920001343 polytetrafluoroethylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000002609 medium Substances 0.000 description 22
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 7
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 4
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229920000295 expanded polytetrafluoroethylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000013505 freshwater Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000013535 sea water Substances 0.000 description 2
- WHXSMMKQMYFTQS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Lithium Chemical compound [Li] WHXSMMKQMYFTQS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012736 aqueous medium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011324 bead Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000567 combustion gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004880 explosion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052744 lithium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000035515 penetration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004810 polytetrafluoroethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002035 prolonged effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000035945 sensitivity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 125000006850 spacer group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 239000007921 spray Substances 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H35/00—Switches operated by change of a physical condition
- H01H35/42—Switches operated by change of humidity
Definitions
- the present invention relates to the field of detection of immersion in a liquid medium.
- the invention relates to an electrical contactor disposed between a source of electrical current and a receiving device, the contactor closing the electrical circuit only if it is immersed at a depth and for a predetermined period of time in a defined liquid medium.
- a contactor according to the invention finds a preferred application in the field of inflating lifejackets.
- Electric contactors for underwater work for example the triggering of a pyrotechnic cable cutter, are already known, for example from patent US-A-3,739,673.
- the contactor described in this patent notably comprises a rigid cup which can move axially relative to the body of the contactor under the effect of pressure and thus bring into contact two blades initially separated by a partially deformable spacer.
- Such contactors are very satisfactory for high pressure areas and in particular the pressures generated by an underwater explosion.
- Such contactors are not reliable under low immersion, in particular because of the friction of the seal placed between the movable cup and the rest of the body of the contactor.
- the object of the present invention is precisely to propose such a contactor.
- the invention therefore relates to an electrical contactor, triggered by immersion in a liquid medium, and comprising a housing comprising a liquid-tight compartment which contains an electronic circuit interposed between a source of direct electric current and a current distribution socket, said circuit comprising at least one connection component which ensures the connection between the direct current source and the distribution outlet only if a sufficient voltage is applied to it, said compartment having an immersion detection wall with an external face which is in direct contact with the liquid in which the contactor is immersed, characterized in than :
- said electronic circuit comprises a first pair of electrodes, the free ends of which are situated on the external face of the immersion wall and which thus constitute a variable resistance depending on the nature of the medium in contact with said wall,
- said electronic circuit comprises a second pair of electrodes, the free ends of which are connected to an element sensitive to the pressure applied to it and at least part of which is situated on the external face of said immersion wall so as to making said electrodes sensitive to the pressure of the medium in contact with said wall,
- said immersion detection wall has an opening closed by a microporous membrane permeable to gases and impermeable to said liquid medium
- said electronic circuit supplies said connection component with sufficient voltage only if each pair of electrodes has identified a predetermined threshold crossing for its operating parameters.
- the contactor according to the invention will only close the electrical circuit when two conditions are simultaneously fulfilled: - the contactor must be immersed so that the variable resistance formed by the first pair of electrodes falls below its operating threshold,
- the contactor must be subjected to sufficient pressure for the second pair of electrodes connected to the pressure-sensitive element to detect in its operation a threshold crossing.
- the contactor according to the invention is perfectly reliable in all positions because it is sufficient for the liquid medium to cover the external face of the immersion detection wall without having to penetrate into the contactor itself.
- the microporous membrane is impermeable to liquids and has the sole function of ensuring, before operation, the conservation of the ambient atmospheric pressure in the sealed compartment.
- connection component is chosen from the group consisting of semiconductors and relays.
- said pressure-sensitive element has an internal free volume which communicates with the interior of the sealed compartment, which makes it possible to guarantee that, before operation, said element is always set on ambient atmospheric pressure and can thus be sensitive at very small pressure variations, i.e. at very shallow immersion depths.
- said microporous membrane will advantageously be chosen from the group consisting of hydrophobic membranes and oleophobic membranes according to the type of liquid medium intended to receive the contactor and preferably still said membrane will comprise at least one layer of fibrous material made of polytetrafluoroethylene. expanded.
- said housing comprises a sealed housing for the direct current source which will advantageously consist of an electric battery.
- said immersion detection wall will be protected by an outer cover provided with openings allowing a liquid to come into contact with said wall.
- these openings will be lateral openings allowing said cover to provide complete frontal protection of said immersion detection wall.
- the contactor is characterized in that:
- the free ends of the second pair of electrodes are connected to a force detection resistor arranged on the external face of said immersion wall so as to thus constitute a variable resistance as a function of the pressure of the medium in contact of said wall, - And in that said electronic circuit supplies said connection component with sufficient voltage only if each of the two variable resistors thus formed becomes less than a predetermined natural threshold resistance.
- connection component is advantageously constituted by a transistor.
- said electronic circuit comprises two independent potentometric divider bridges, connected to said connection component and each comprising an input comparator and an output comparator separated by a diode, each bridge containing one of the two resistors variables associated with its threshold resistance.
- each divider bridge will be constituted by a double operational power amplifier and preferably the two bridges will be grouped together in a single quadruple operational power amplifier.
- the two dividing bridges are connected to an integrator which only releases the output comparators if the two variable resistors have fallen below their respective values for a predetermined period of time.
- said integrator will be constituted by a resistor and by a capacitor.
- said force detection resistor advantageously comprises an interior free volume which communicates with the interior of the sealed compartment.
- the contactor is characterized in that:
- the free ends of the second pair of electrodes are connected to a pressure sensor, the sensitive part of which is located on the external face of the immersion detection wall and which mainly consists of two heatstone bridges connected to said circuit electronic and modular as a function of the pressure exerted on said sensitive part so as to generate between said electrodes a voltage Tp which is variable as a function of the pressure of the medium being in contact with said wall,
- connection component is advantageously constituted by a thyristor.
- said electronic circuit then comprises four separate modules, connected to said connection component: a power control, an oscillator, a signal detector and a microphone amplifier; the oscillator, the signal detector and the microphone amplifier can only be supplied with voltage if the electrical resistance prevailing between the first pair of electrodes has reached its threshold level.
- said pairs of electrodes are therefore not located in the same module, so as to make the powering up of the module comprising said second pair of electrodes, dependent on the module integrating said first pair of electrodes: the power control .
- the power control module placed between the direct current source and the current distribution socket, is connected at the input to the first pair of electrodes and at the output to the signal detector, so as to control the switching on. voltage of the other three modules.
- the power control module therefore acts as a switch for the other three modules of the electronic circuit.
- the oscillator module preferably consisting of an operational amplifier
- the signal detector module is connected at the input to the power control and at the output at the microphone amplifier so as to convert the amplified alternating voltage of said pressure sensor into a DC voltage.
- the microphone amplifier module preferably constituted by an operational amplifier, is connected at the input to the signal detector and at the output on the oscillator, so as to detect an increasing alternating voltage.
- said operational amplifiers will be grouped into a single quadruple operational amplifier.
- said pressure sensor has an internal free volume which communicates with the interior of the sealed compartment, which makes it possible to guarantee that, before operation, said pressure sensor is always set to ambient atmospheric pressure and can thus be sensitive to very small pressure variations, i.e. to very shallow immersion depths.
- This second embodiment of the invention makes it possible to obtain contactors which are particularly resistant to salt spray.
- the invention also relates to the use of an electrical contactor according to the invention by connecting the distribution socket to a receiving pyrotechnic device which must be triggered in the event of immersion.
- One of the many uses particularly advantageous of the invention consists in connecting the contactor to a pyrotechnic device allowing the inflation of objects, such as for example:
- the pyrotechnic device can advantageously consist of a pyrotechnic perforator coupled to a cartridge of pressurized gas or even be constituted by a pyrotechnic gas generator.
- a particularly advantageous use of the invention consists in connecting the contactor to a pyrotechnic device for inflating life jackets so as to offer life jackets with automatic inflation in the event of prolonged immersion of the persons who wear them.
- Figure 1 is a top view with partial partial cutaway of a contactor made according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention.
- Figure 2 is a section along A.A. of the contactor shown in Figure l.
- Figure 3 is a schematic view showing the principle of constitution of a force sensing resistor.
- Figure 4 is a partial top view of a force sensing resistor used in the context of the present invention.
- FIG. 5 is a functional diagram of the electronic circuit of the contactor represented in FIG. 1.
- FIG. 6 is the logic operating diagram of the electronic circuit shown in FIG. 5.
- Figure 7 is a top view with double cutout of a contactor made according to the second preferred embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 8 is a section on A.A. of the contactor shown in FIG. 7.
- FIG. 9 is a functional diagram of the electronic circuit of the contactor represented in FIG. 7.
- FIG. 10 is a logic operating diagram of the electronic circuit shown in FIG. 9.
- Figure 11 is a simplified view, partially broken away, of a contactor according to the invention connected to a pyrotechnic perforator.
- the invention relates in this first case to an electrical contactor 21 intended to detect a immersion in a liquid medium.
- This contactor 21 is constituted by a housing 22 comprising a compartment 23 liquid-tight.
- This compartment 23 contains an electronic circuit 24 interposed between a source 25 of direct current and a socket 26 of current distribution.
- Said circuit 24 comprises at least one connection component 27 which ensures the connection between the source 25 and the socket 26 only if sufficient voltage is applied to it by the rest of the electronic circuit, the detailed description of which is given a little later in the description.
- This connection component is advantageously a transistor as shown in FIG. 5.
- the housing 22 includes a sealed housing 28 for the DC source 25 which will advantageously consist of a 3.6 volt lithium battery for applications intended for inflating life jackets.
- Said sealed compartment 23 has a wall 29 for detecting immersion, the external face 30 of which is in direct contact with the liquid in which the contactor 21 is immersed.
- said electronic circuit 24 comprises a first pair of electrodes 31 and 32 which pass through the immersion detection wall 29.
- the free end of each of these two electrodes is located on the external face 30 of the immersion wall 29 and the two electrodes 31 and 32 constitute a variable resistance R3 as a function of the nature of the medium, gaseous or liquid, being in contact with said wall.
- the electronic circuit 24 comprises a second pair of electrodes 33 and 34, the ends of which are connected to a force detection resistor 35 arranged on the external face 30 of said immersion wall 29 so thus constituting a variable resistance R4 as a function of the pressure prevailing on said wall.
- the resistance 35 for force detection consists of a head 36 extended by a tail 37 containing the electrodes 33 and 34.
- the head 36 comprises a set of two sheets 38 and 39 of polymer laminated and assembled so as to allow an internal free space 40 to remain between them, at rest.
- the sheet 38 On the sheet 38 is deposited a layer 43 of semiconductor polymer.
- a force is exerted on the outer surfaces of the sheets 38 and 39, they are crushed one against the other and the polymer 43 comes to establish an electrical connection between the tracks 41 and 42.
- the head 36 of the resistor 35 rests on the external face 30 of the immersion detection wall 29 while the tail 37 enters through an opening 44 sealed by a seal 45 in the sealed compartment 23 so as to conduct the electrodes 33 and 34 to the electronic circuit 24.
- the tail 37 In order to guarantee good sensitivity of the force detection resistor 35 to small pressure variations, the tail 37 has a hollow channel 46 which places the free volume 40 in communication with the interior of the sealed compartment 23.
- the immersion detection wall 29 includes an opening 47 closed by a microporous membrane 48 permeable to gases and impermeable to said liquid medium.
- a microporous membrane 48 permeable to gases and impermeable to said liquid medium.
- said microporous membrane 48 will comprise at least one layer of fibrous material made of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.
- said immersion detection wall 29 can constitute an external face of the contactor 21; but according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the immersion detection wall 29 will be protected by an outer cover 49 provided with openings 50 allowing a liquid to come into contact with said wall. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the openings 50 will advantageously be lateral openings so that the cover 49 can provide complete frontal protection of the wall 29.
- the electronic circuit 24 supplies said connection component 27 with a voltage sufficient to make it "on” only if each of the two variable resistors R3 and R4 becomes less than a specific threshold resistance.
- This double condition implies that both the resistance between the electrodes 31 and 32 is sufficiently lowered by immersion of the latter in a predetermined liquid medium and that the resistance between the electrodes 33 and 34 is also sufficiently lowered under the effect of an increase in the pressure exerted on the resistor 35 to become less than a predetermined value.
- FIG. 5 recognizes the source 25 of direct current having a positive terminal 25a and a negative terminal 25b as well as the current distribution socket 26 having a good positive 26a and a negative terminal 26b.
- the positive terminal 26a of the socket 26 is connected directly to the positive terminal 25a of the source 25, while the negative terminal 26b of the socket
- the transistor 27 is protected against overvoltages by a resistor 49 and by a capacitor 50 connected to ground.
- the electronic circuit 24 comprises two independent potentiometric dividing bridges L1 and L2 which are fictitiously isolated in FIG. 5 by dotted perimeters. These bridges are connected to transistor 27 and each comprise an input comparator 51 or 52 and an output comparator 53 or 54 separated by a diode 55 or 56.
- Each bridge contains one of the two variable resistors R 3 and R 4 , the resistance R 3 being associated with its specific threshold resistance constituted by the resistances 4.1 and 4.1 ′ and the resistance R4 being associated with its specific threshold resistance constituted by the resistors 4.2. and 4.2 '.
- Each divider bridge L1 and L2 will advantageously be constituted by a double operational power amplifier, or, better still, the two divider bridges L1 and L2 will be integrated into a quadruple operational power amplifier and will thus only constitute a single component of the circuit 24 .
- the dividing bridges L1 and L2 are connected to an integrator 71 fictitiously isolated in FIG. 5 by a dotted perimeter.
- the integrator 71 makes it possible to unblock the output comparators 53 and 54 only if the two variable resistors R3 and R 4 have fallen below their respective threshold values for a predetermined period of time.
- the integrator 71 will consist of a resistor 72 and a capacitor 73.
- Vn ( 1 , V2, V 3 ...) symbolizes the voltage existing at terminal n (1,2,3 %) of circuit 24 as shown in FIG. 5,
- Vcc symbolizes the voltage supplied by the source 25
- the resistors R3 and R are very high, even infinite, the voltages V 2 and Vg at the terminals of the input comparators 51 and 52 are close to the reference voltage supplied by the source 25 while the voltages V 3 and V5 are substantially equal to half of this reference voltage.
- the voltages V and V 7 at the terminals of the input comparators 51 and 52 and V ⁇ 2 and v 10 at the terminals of the output comparators 53 and 54 are insufficient to make the diodes 55 and 56 passable and the voltages V ⁇ and Vg supplied by the output comparators are insufficient to make the transistor 27 pass. No current can therefore be supplied by the distribution socket 26 since the terminal 26b of the latter is not connected to the terminal 25b of the source 25 direct current.
- the resistance R 3 becomes less than its threshold value 4.1 + 4.1 'and the resistance R 4 becomes less than its threshold value 4.2 + 4.2'.
- the voltage V 6 becomes lower than the voltage V5 while at the terminals of the input comparator 51 the voltage V 2 becomes less than the voltage V 3 .
- the voltages VI and V 7 on the one hand, V ⁇ Q and v 12 on the other hand then acquire sufficient values to make the diodes 55 and 56 passable insofar as the integrator 71 has unlocked the system.
- the voltages V14 and V8 supplied by the output comparators are then sufficient to make the transistor 27 pass, the terminal 26b of the socket 26 is then connected to the terminal 25b of the source 25 and the socket 26 can distribute current.
- the operating diagram given in FIG. 6 shows that if one of the two conditions relating to the presence of a liquid medium and to the existence of an overpressure with respect to ambient atmospheric pressure is not achieved, the contactor 21 will remain open because one of the diodes 55 or 56 will remain non-conducting.
- the period of time necessary for the operation of the integrator 71 is not observed, it being specified that in the absence of an integrator this period of time is zero, in the latter case the contactor responds as soon as it is immersed at a certain depth.
- the contactor according to the invention thus presents great possibilities for adjusting the trip thresholds:
- the invention relates in this second case to an electrical contactor 121 intended to detect immersion in a liquid medium.
- This contactor 121 is consisting of a housing 122 comprising a compartment
- This compartment 123 contains an electronic circuit 124 interposed between a source 125 of direct current distribution and a socket 126 of current distribution. Said electronic circuit
- connection component 127 which ensures the connection between the current source and the distribution outlet 126 only if sufficient voltage is transmitted to it by the rest of the electronic circuit 124, the detailed description of which is given below in the description.
- This connection component is advantageously a thyristor as shown in FIG. 9.
- the housing 122 includes a sealed housing 128 for the DC source 125 which is advantageously constituted by a battery for applications intended for inflating inflatable tanks for the safety of goods or people.
- Said sealed compartment has a wall 129 for detecting immersion, the external face 130 of which is in direct contact with the liquid in which the contactor 121 is immersed.
- said electronic circuit 124 comprises a first pair of electrodes 131 and 132 which pass through the immersion detection wall 129.
- the free end of each of these two electrodes is located on the external face 130 of the immersion detection wall 129 and the two electrodes 131 and 132 constitute a variable resistance Re depending on the nature of the medium, gaseous or liquid, being in contact with said immersion detection wall 129.
- the electronic circuit 124 has a second pair of electrodes 133 and 134, the ends of which are connected to a pressure sensor 135, one of the ends of which passes through an opening 144, blocked by a seal. sealing 145 is situated on the external face 130 of the immersion detection wall 129, so as to generate a variable tension Tp as a function of the pressure of the medium being in contact with said immersion detection wall 129.
- the sensor 135 has a free volume 140 which communicates with the interior of the compartment 123.
- the immersion detection wall 129 comprises an opening 147 closed by a microporous membrane 148 permeable to gases and impermeable to said liquid medium.
- a microporous membrane 148 permeable to gases and impermeable to said liquid medium.
- said microporous membrane 148 is chosen from the group consisting of hydrophobic or oleophobic membranes.
- said microporous membrane 148 will comprise at least one layer of fibrous material made of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.
- said immersion detection wall 129 can constitute an external face of the contactor 121; but according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the immersion detection wall 129 will be protected by an outer cover 149 provided with openings 150 allowing a liquid to come into contact with said wall. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the openings 150 will advantageously be lateral openings so that the cover 149 can provide complete frontal protection of the wall 129.
- the electronic circuit 124 supplies said connection component 127 with a voltage sufficient to make it "on” only if the resistance Re and the voltage Tp have respectively crossed their own predetermined threshold.
- This double condition implies that both the resistance between the electrodes 131 and 132 is sufficiently lowered by immersion of the latter in a predetermined liquid medium, and that the voltage Tp between the electrodes 133 and 134 is also sufficiently increased under the effect of the pressure exerted on the pressure sensor 135.
- FIG. 9 recognizes the direct current source 125 having a positive terminal 125a and a negative terminal 125b as well as the current distribution socket 126 having a positive terminal 126a and a negative terminal 126b.
- the positive terminal 126a of the current distribution socket is connected directly to the positive terminal 125a of the direct current source 125, while the negative terminal 126b of the distribution outlet 126 is connected to the negative terminal 125b of the direct current source 125 by means of a thyristor 127 of which the third terminal is connected to the electronic circuit 124 supplied with direct current by the source 125 as indicated in FIG. 9.
- the thyristor 127 is protected against all overvoltages by the two capacitors 152, 153 and by the resistor 154 connected in parallel to said thyristor 127.
- the electronic circuit 124 comprises four independent modules: a power control H1, an oscillator H2, a signal detector H3 and a microphone amplifier H4, fictitiously isolated in FIG. 9 by dotted perimeters.
- the modules H2, H3, and H4 can only be supplied with voltage if the electrical resistance prevailing between the electrodes 131 and 132 has reached its threshold level, for example less than 10 4 ohms.
- the Hl module, power control, integrating the first pair of electrodes 131 and 132 is advantageously constituted by:
- thyristor 127 which accepts in steady state a breakdown current greater than 3A, this being specified for a voltage greater than 30V, so that this capital element is never put in default, because, as was said above, said thyristor 127 controls the distribution outlet 126,
- the capacitors 152 and 153 as well as the resistor 154 make it possible to protect the thyristor 127 from any untimely overvoltages, in particular during the various energizations of the circuit 124.
- the H2 module, oscillator is advantageously constituted by an operational amplifier U4, two diodes 164 and 165, two capacitors 166 and 167, and five resistors 168, 169, 170, 171, 172 so as to supply alternating current to said pressure sensor 135.
- the value required to supply the pressure sensor 135, although not critical, requires an alternating voltage of 2V peak to peak for a frequency of 400 Hz, said signal, generated by the oscillator H2, being moderated in power by the resistance 173 of module H3.
- the H4 module differential microphone amplifier
- Ul operational amplifiers Ul, U2, ten resistors 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, four capacitors 115, 116, 117, 118 so as to detect an increasing alternating voltage proportional to the pressure to which the sensor 135 is subjected.
- Said module H4 producing a considerable differential gain greater than 500, the resistor 194 allows an adjustment of this gain in the case of another instrumental application.
- the module H3, signal detector is advantageously constituted by an operational amplifier U3, two diodes 119 and 120 whose very low conduction thresholds are specific to the detection of very weak signals, two capacitors 151 and 104, and five resistors 100, 101, 173, 102, 103 so as to convert the amplified alternating voltage of said pressure sensor 135 into a DC voltage.
- Vcc symbolizes the voltage supplied by the battery after transistor 155 is closed.
- TPn (TPI, TP2, 7) represents the measurable voltage at the corresponding control point.
- the contactor 121 When the contactor 121 is not immersed, the electrical resistance Re is very high, even infinite, the transistor 155 remains at state 0, thus blocking the powering up of TP4 and thereby the powering up of the socket current distribution 126.
- the resistance Re When the contactor 121 is immersed to a sufficient depth in the predetermined aqueous medium, the resistance Re, prevailing between the electrodes 131 and 132, drops below the threshold value of 10 4 ohms so that the other three modules are switched on. the nominal voltage of 3.6V (controllable in TP4).
- This amplifier controls the diode detector H3 which converts the amplified alternating voltage of the pressure sensor 135 into a direct voltage, this voltage being analyzed by the comparator U3 which goes to the active state, this having the effect of activating the transistor 156 then thyristor 127, thus closing distribution outlet 126.
- the measurement bridge (sensor 135) is almost balanced so that the detection chain H4-H3 analyzes only very low DC voltage variations, in this idle state the comparator U3 remains at level 1 (3.6V controllable in TP3).
- the measurement chain H3-H4 detects an increasing alternating voltage (verifiable in TP2) and when the triggering threshold of the comparator U3 predetermined by the resistors 194 and 195 is reached, this switches to state 0 (less than 0.5V controllable in TP3), the transistor 156 and the thyristor 127 of the power module are then activated putting thus the current distribution socket 126 under voltage.
- the contactor 121 thus presents great possibilities for adjusting the trip thresholds:
- resistors 194 and 195 it is possible to determine the minimum immersion depth likely to cause contact 121 to operate.
- the invention also relates to the use of the contactors according to the invention in combination with a pyrotechnic device, and in particular a pyrotechnic device intended to inflate inflatable tanks, by connection of the distribution outlet to the pyrotechnic device.
- FIG. 11 shows a contactor 121, in accordance with the second preferred embodiment of the invention, the distribution socket 126 of which is connected to the socket 74 of a pyrotechnic perforator 75.
- the socket 74 is at least connected to the pyrotechnic perforator 75 by two conducting wires 76 and 77.
- the pyrotechnic perforator 75 consists of a cylindrical body 78 crossed by an axial bore of diameter variable 79. At one end, this bore forms a combustion chamber containing a pyrotechnic charge 80 covered by an ignition bead 81 into which the wires 76 and 77 penetrate.
- the combustion chamber is closed by a plug 82 and is extended by a nozzle 83 opening into a working chamber 84 in which is housed a gas-tight piston 85 and extended by a hollow rod 86 bevelled.
- the working chamber 84 ends in a threaded orifice 87 intended to receive a gas cartridge closed by a cover located opposite the rod 86.
- a radial bore 88 connects the lower part of the working chamber 84 in which the rod 86 moves with the outside. It is on this bore that the inflation tube inflation hose is connected, for example the hose of the inflatable jacket.
- the contactor 121 closes the electrical circuit and the current supplied by the battery 125 ignites the ignition pearl 81 which in turn ignites the charge 80.
- the combustion gases pass through the nozzle 83 and enter the chamber 84 by setting in motion the piston 85, the hollow rod 86 of which tears the seal that closes the gas cartridge.
- the gas escaping from the cartridge fills the lower part of the chamber 84 and through the bore 88 will inflate the inflatable tank.
Landscapes
- Measuring Fluid Pressure (AREA)
- Protection Of Static Devices (AREA)
- Electronic Switches (AREA)
- Investigating Or Analyzing Materials By The Use Of Electric Means (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
FR9503076A FR2731554B1 (fr) | 1995-03-10 | 1995-03-10 | Contacteur electro-pressiostatique basse pression |
FR9503076 | 1995-03-10 | ||
PCT/FR1996/000341 WO1996028834A1 (fr) | 1995-03-10 | 1996-03-05 | Contacteur electrique a double detection d'immersion |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0815574A1 true EP0815574A1 (fr) | 1998-01-07 |
EP0815574B1 EP0815574B1 (fr) | 1999-06-02 |
Family
ID=9477095
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP96905911A Expired - Lifetime EP0815574B1 (fr) | 1995-03-10 | 1996-03-05 | Contacteur electrique a double detection d'immersion |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US5847473A (fr) |
EP (1) | EP0815574B1 (fr) |
DE (1) | DE69602730T2 (fr) |
FR (1) | FR2731554B1 (fr) |
NO (1) | NO974122L (fr) |
WO (1) | WO1996028834A1 (fr) |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102012016964A1 (de) * | 2012-08-28 | 2014-03-06 | Udo Langhammer | Sicherungsvorrichtung für eine Person |
US9800713B2 (en) | 2014-09-12 | 2017-10-24 | Hzo, Inc. | Moisture detection response |
US9939398B2 (en) | 2014-09-12 | 2018-04-10 | Hzo, Inc. | Detecting moisture with an antenna |
US10908057B2 (en) | 2018-09-04 | 2021-02-02 | Microchip Technology Incorporated | Activating a submersible sensor based on electrode output, and related systems, methods and devices |
CN112173130A (zh) * | 2020-09-25 | 2021-01-05 | 中国直升机设计研究所 | 一种民用直升机应急漂浮控制装置及方法 |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
SE345242B (fr) * | 1968-12-09 | 1972-05-23 | Saab Scania Ab | |
US3739673A (en) * | 1972-01-12 | 1973-06-19 | Mine Safety Appliances Co | Water pressure actuated electric switch for cable cutter |
FR2569305B1 (fr) * | 1984-08-14 | 1986-12-19 | Pyromeca | Contacteur electrique declenchable par immersion et dispositif pyrotechnique utilisant un tel contacteur |
-
1995
- 1995-03-10 FR FR9503076A patent/FR2731554B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1996
- 1996-03-05 WO PCT/FR1996/000341 patent/WO1996028834A1/fr active IP Right Grant
- 1996-03-05 DE DE69602730T patent/DE69602730T2/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1996-03-05 US US08/913,249 patent/US5847473A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1996-03-05 EP EP96905911A patent/EP0815574B1/fr not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1997
- 1997-09-08 NO NO974122A patent/NO974122L/no unknown
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See references of WO9628834A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO1996028834A1 (fr) | 1996-09-19 |
EP0815574B1 (fr) | 1999-06-02 |
DE69602730D1 (de) | 1999-07-08 |
FR2731554B1 (fr) | 1997-05-30 |
DE69602730T2 (de) | 1999-09-30 |
NO974122L (no) | 1997-11-10 |
US5847473A (en) | 1998-12-08 |
NO974122D0 (no) | 1997-09-08 |
FR2731554A1 (fr) | 1996-09-13 |
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