JPH0353112A - Sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To enable sensing of a little movement by a method wherein an engaging surface of a slender member is engaged with an engaging means of a rotary member and with an arm means being turned by the rotary member, and a sensing mechanism is arranged to balance about a shaft of the rotary member. CONSTITUTION: A sensor 1a has a rod 16 comprising a slender member and the rod 16 is guided by a corresponding path 33a in a housing 33. One end of the rod 16 sticks out of the housing 33 and contacts an object 10. An engaging surface between the rod 16 and a rotary member 19 has an engaging means, which comprises a rack 18 on the rod 16 and the rotary member 19 formed in the shape of a pinion. Furthermore, the rod 16 and a scale 22 are arranged on the side opposite to the shaft of the member 19, and the movement of the rod 16 corresponds to the moment of an arm 21 having an indicator 23 over the entire range of the movement of the arm 21. Then, the movement of the object 10 can be appropriately increased by properly selecting the length of the arm 21 of the indicator 23 or the diameter of the member 19 and parameters of both teeth of the rack 18 and the member 19.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a sensor that responds to the relative movement of relatively movable objects. Sensors may be used to indicate or measure or control the movement of objects or other parameters that change or cause movement, or for any other purpose.

According to the present invention, the relative movement of objects that can move relative to each other. and a sensing mechanism having a nozzle, an elongated member, a rotating member, and an arm means, the elongated member being moved between a first position and a first position in response to relative movement of the object. 2
The rotary member is provided within the housing for direct longitudinal movement between positions and has a longitudinally extending engagement surface; an engagement surface of the elongate member and an engagement means of the rotatable member are provided to cause rotation of the rotatable member by longitudinal movement of the elongated member, and the arm means is rotated by rotation of the rotatable member. , the mechanism provides a sensor positioned so as to be substantially equilibrated to one side of the axis of the rotating member.

The arm means includes an arm integrally formed with the rotating member or connected to the rotating member for rotation therewith. The arm means also has indicator means movable on a scale, the scale being either a linear scale or a curved scale. A sensor can sense any parameter such as force or pressure that can be configured to move an object. For example, the object may be a diaphragm that receives a fluid whose pressure is to be sensed on one side and that deflects within a range depending on the pressure of the fluid, or an elongated member that is moved by the object against a known pressure. Movement of the medium of the object by the object against a known force may be sensed, and movement of the member by the object is indicative of the force exerted on the object.

The engagement surface of the elongated member and the engagement means of the rotating member may be in frictional contact to transmit movement between the two. Furthermore, the engaging surface and the engaging means may be formed with teeth that can engage with each other, or one with a cam and the other with a force ▲7 subordinate, so as to provide a reliable engagement between the two. ．． Furthermore, the rotating member or arm means may be used to operate other means, such as control means or alarm means, or electronic means providing remotely transmitted analog or digital measurements. It is sensed by a target or by means of providing an electrical signal. When rotating members or arm means are used as operating means, they are operated electrically, electronically, or mechanically. Preferably, the elongate means is placed in contact with the object to sense movement of the object, but it is not mechanically coupled or coupled to the object. The elongate member may be in contact with the object directly or indirectly through intermediate means to increase or reduce the movement of the object, the elongate member having, for example, a pivoting lever or a mechanism thereof. Adjustable means are provided for adjusting contact between the object and the elongate member and for communicating movement of the object to the elongate member and the rotating member.

The sensor senses very small movements, such as 1 or less, preferably 5 microns or less, or very small forces or pressures or changes in force or pressure.
For example, 10 mbar or less is preferable.
J pearl or less or lO centini, 1 ton (0
．． It is used to sense movement caused by a force of I N ) or less. The components of the mechanism are arranged such that a small force is applied in a direction that biases the elongate member toward its first position. The elongate member and the arm means are arranged such that, for all operating positions of the arm, the moments of the elongate member about the axis of the rotating member are substantially equal but oppose the moments of the arm means about the axis of the rotating member. It will be placed. the mechanism adjusts the moment balance between the elongate member and the arm means to ensure that the elongate member is deflected very slightly in its first direction;
It has deflection means for deflecting other components of the mechanism. Furthermore, deflection means are provided to compensate for any imbalance of moments between the elongate member and the arm means such that there is a slight moment deflecting the elongate member towards its first position. The deflection means may be in the form of a screw spring or helical spring acting on the rotating member, or in the form of a compression or tension spring acting on the elongated member or arm means when the elongated member is separated from the rotating member. are doing. The arm means is also arranged to be balanced about the axis of the rotating member, with the moments in the elongate member being substantially balanced by the deflection means.

If the sensor senses a very small force or pressure, or a movement caused by a very small force or pressure change, then the excursion is the force or pressure or change in force to be measured. Alternatively, it is preferable that the change in pressure is also set to be small.

When the elongated member and the rotating member are reliably engaged by teeth, the engagement surface of the elongated member has a cylindrical cross section, and the teeth are formed into cylindrical surfaces. Thereby, the contact area between the teeth of the elongated member and the rotating member is minimized, reducing friction between the two.

The sensor detects the movement of the object over the entire range of movement,
Alternatively, it may be arranged to respond to only one or more predetermined portions of the object's range of movement, which portions may be at one or both ends of the range, or somewhere in between.

If the sensor is responsive to movement of the object over one or more predetermined portions of the object's range of movement, stopping means may be provided to temporarily or permanently stop movement of the elongated member. , so the elongate member moves into contact with the object only when the object moves into a position within a predetermined portion of the range of movement. Preferably, the stop means is at least initially adjusted to overcome further movement of the elongated member. When a portion of the range of movement of the object is sensed, the stop means holds the elongated member out of contact with the object throughout the portion of the range of movement of the object, or the elongated member is in contact with the object. The elongate member is temporarily or permanently held stationary with respect to continued movement of the object while the object is moving. For example, an elongated member may have a contact head that can fit within the elongated member to cause the object to be moved in the direction of the I/a elongated member without causing its movement.

To sense fluid pressure, the sensor is incorporated into a pressure fluid sensing device having a diaphragm disposed within the housing and defining a first chamber and a second chamber therein, the first chamber being It has an inlet t for the fluid to expose one side of the diaphragm to the fluid so as to flex the ear 7 ram by the pressure of the fluid, and a sensor is provided in the second chamber to detect movement of the diaphragm, and the sensor is an elongated member. extends in the direction of movement of the diaphragm. The pressure sensing device scales the pressure or differential pressure. The sensing device may also indicate leakage into or out of the fluid mechanism, and the scale then measures the pressure or deviation from a predetermined pressure, or other appropriate measurements, such as the amount or rate of leakage into or out of the mechanism. It is graduated to indicate. Such a pressure sensing device may also be incorporated into a mechanism that utilizes gas supplied from a cylinder of liquefied gas, for example, to notify the user of the mechanism that the cylinder needs to be replaced. Indicate or measure the amount of liquefied gas remaining in the cylinder, either in terms of the amount of liquefied gas remaining or in terms of the time scale of normal use of the remaining liquefied gas. In order to
The device is a gas pressure regulator within the mechanism. The gas pressure leg can be connected downstream of the rotor or integrated into the rotor itself.

Sensors may also be incorporated into other objects that move due to pressure or pressure changes, such as Bourdon tubes. To sense compression or tension, the sensor is arranged to sense movement of the object by a force that opposes a known force exerted on the elongated member or intermediate object whose movement is sensed by the sensor.

1 to 3 show one embodiment of a sensor for sensing movement of an object 10. FIG. The sensor 1a is an elongated member 16
In this embodiment, the rod has the shape of a cylindrical rod, but other cross-sections may be used, such as a polygon.

6Fi, moves linearly in the longitudinal direction and is guided by a correspondingly shaped passage JJa in the housing 33. ``As shown at the bottom, one end of the rod 16 projects from the housing and is placed in the path of movement of the object 10 rather than being moved by the object 10 and then being moved by the object 10. Not mechanically connected.

Rod 16 has a longitudinally extending engagement surface 17 along a portion of its length that engages a circumferential engagement surface of rotating member 19 . In this embodiment, the rod 16 and the rotating member 190
Both engagement surfaces have mutually engageable engagement means which include a rack 18 extending longitudinally on the rod 16.
a longitudinal tooth arrangement forming a rotary member 19, and an annular tooth arrangement of a rotating member 19 in the form of a pinion. The rotating member 19 is provided inside the housing 33 and fixed to the shaft 20, and is rotated by the casing of the shaft. One end of the shaft 20 projects beyond the housing 33 and is provided with an arm 21 having an indicator 23 at its free end. As shown in more detail in FIG. 3, the indicator 23 moves on a linear scale 22 provided on an arcuate support 22a centered on the shaft 20.

In this embodiment, the rod 16 and the scale 22 are located opposite the axis of the rotating member 19, so that over the entire range of movement of the arm 21, the rod 16 of the housing of the axis of the rotating member 19 The movement of the rotating member around the axis of the indicator 2
3. Corresponding to the moment of arm 21 having 3. The sensor is a vertically moving rod 1 as shown in Figures 1 and 2.
It is best to place 6. These moments are set so that the mechanism is approximately balanced about the axis of the rotary member 19, but the lock 16 maintains contact with the object 10 and the teeth of the rotary member 19 and the rack 18 when the sensor is in use. Any play between the teeth. The mechanism is arranged so as to absorb pack lash and pack lash, and the mechanism generates a small moment acting downwardly (counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 1) on rod 16 at all positions of arm 21. It is arranged as follows. The spring 25 adjusts the balance arbitrarily or the moment requirement of the rod and the arm with the indicator as a means to compensate for the unbalance in which the moments of the rod 16 and the arm with the indicator 21 are not equal to achieve the required equilibrium. motion to the axis of the rotating member to contribute to equilibrium. The spring, ie a helical spring as shown in FIG. 1, acts either clockwise or counterclockwise (as shown in FIG. 1) depending on the direction of the moment imbalance to be compensated or adjusted. It is advantageous to adjust the spring first for the initial adjustment of equilibrium. The equilibrium of the moments of the arm 21 with the rod 16 and the indicator 23 means that the sensor has a very small movement, e.g. ．．
It is essential when used to sense movements caused by very small forces or pressures or changes in forces or pressures, on the order of I N ) or less. For such use,
The rod is arranged to move in the vertical direction, and the moment of the rod 16 relative to the axis of the rotating member is a small moment that tends to move the rod in the direction of the main body 10 over the entire range of movement of the axis of the rotating member. It is arranged so as to apply an almost constant, very small force to the axis of the rotating member in the direction that gives . In a preferred embodiment, the moment tolerance of the rod is made relative to the moment tolerance of the arm with the indicator, such that the moment of the rod is less than the moment of the arm with the indicator over the range of arm motion. is also large, and the balance housing 25 acts clockwise at that time.

When the arm rotates and the indicator moves on the scale 22,
In order to minimize changes in the moment of the arm carrying the indicator, the scale 22 should be on a horizontal line passing through the axis of the rotating member, rather than on a horizontal line as shown in FIG.

When the indicator 23 moves on the scale 22, the rotating member 1
In order to eliminate variations in the moment of the arm 21 with the indicator 23 about the axis of 9, the arm 21 is provided with an extension of the counterbalance, and the arm with the indicator and the extension 21a is aligned with the axis of the rotating member 19. It exerts almost no force on part 1b. Such a deformation is shown in Figure 4, where the arm extension 21 with a counterbalance is formed integrally with the arm 21 so that it rotates together with the arm 21. The axis of the rotating member 19 passes through the center of gravity of the integrated arm indicator and arm extension. According to this modification, the moment of rotation of the rotating rod 16 of the axis of the rotating member 19 is approximately balanced by the spring 25d, but a constant force is applied to the axis 20 so as to provide a small moment that causes the downward movement of the rod 16 of the object IO. Give a bias. However,
If the rod 16 is sufficiently light, the axis of the rotating member 19!
The eagle's moment does not need to be balanced, then the spring 25
As shown in FIG. 4, simply by slightly gearing the rotating member 19 in the counterclockwise direction, the teeth of the rotating member 19 and the teeth of the rack 18 are maintained in engagement and any play or pack lash between them is eliminated. ．． absorb.

With this modification of the arm 21, there is no restriction on the angular movement of the arm 21 about the axis of the rotating member 19.

The sensor in FIG. 4 uses a linear scale 22 as a rotating member 1.
The end of the arm 21 then acts as an indicator 23 as shown in FIGS. 15 to 18, for example. In this modification, the extension part jJa of the balance sheet is light because it does not balance the weight of the indicator 23 in FIG. If the movement of the object 10 is caused by a very small force or pressure to be sensed, or a very small change in force or pressure, the force acting on the rod 16 in the direction of the object will cause the movement to be sensed. is set to be smaller than the minimum force or pressure or change in force or pressure that starts. To increase the sensitivity of the sensor and reduce inertia, the lock 16, arm 21 and indicator 23 are made of very light materials. Furthermore, to reduce sensor friction,
The rod 16 is guided within the passageway 33a by annular bearings located at either end of the engagement surface 17. The bearing is in the form of an annular sleeve disposed within a passageway 33a adjacent each end, the sleeve projecting rounded and radially inward to reduce the contact surface between the sleeve and the shaft. It has an annular bearing orientation. The rotating member shaft 20 has similar bearings. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 1, the rod 16 is provided with spaced radial protrusions 16c having rounded circumferential surfaces for bearing against the walls of the passageway 33&. The shaft 20 of the rotating member also has a similar lees catcher as shown in FIG. 5, for example. As shown in FIG. 5, the shaft 20 is provided with radially annular projections 20a on both sides of the rotating member 19. As shown in FIG. The protrusion 20a is the no.1 housing 3 from which the shaft 20 extends.
An annular bearing pusher located within the passage 33e in the 3. zO
engages with the cylindrical inner surface of b. The push is preferably a loose fit within the passageway 33e, and upon installation is secured by adhesive when the rotary member teeth and rod are properly aligned. The end faces 20e of the pusher facing the ends of the rotating member form a bearing surface against the end of the rotating member to reduce friction, and these end faces 20e are rounded to reduce the contact area. There is. Additionally, jewel-like bearings can be used for the rod and shaft. In order to reduce the friction between the teeth of the rack 18 and the rotating member 19, the contact area of the teeth is reduced. This is accomplished by forming rack teeth on the partially cylindrical engagement surface.

If the rod 16 is cylindrical, the teeth extend around the entire circumference of the rod, and the teeth of the rotating member I9 are connected to the housing 33.
The inner rod 160 has the advantage of engaging the teeth of the rod 16 regardless of its angular orientation.

A rerod 1 is attached to the object 10 in relation to one end of the scale 23.
6, the lower end of the rod contacting the object 10 is provided with adjustable contact means.

As shown, the lower end of the rod 16 is provided with a pin 35 having a contact head for contacting the object 10.

This part is threaded onto the end of the rod 16.

The position of pin 35 within rod 16 is first adjusted and then properly fixed.

The sensors described above are arranged in such a way that the rod 16 is in contact with and moved along the object 1o over the entire range of movement of the object, and the indicator indicates the position of the object 10 between its extreme positions P and Q. Give a series of instructions. However, there are situations in which moving only part of an object is useful or provides meaningful instructions. In such a case, the rod 16 is set to contact the rod in order to move the rod 16 and the indicator 23 only when the object is at a predetermined position RK between its initial position P and its final position Q. The rod 16 does not contact the object when the object is below this intermediate position B,
Therefore, the position of objects below the intermediate position is excluded from the indication by the indicator. In this arrangement, the rod 16
The top position of is determined by the top position of the object. The lowest position of the rod corresponding to a predetermined intermediate position of the object is determined by a stop positioned to prevent further downward movement of the rod. For example, the stop acts to limit rotational movement of arm 21. This stop is the housing 3
3, or by a projection on the support for the scale, straight or curved, which extends into the passage of the arm 2. Such a protrusion is shown as 34 in Figures 2 and N3. Furthermore, the stop restricts downward movement of the rod 16 itself. Such an arrangement is shown for example in FIG.
Here, sensor Jb(2)cId 16 upper end Jgm
is enlarged and within the enlarged portion of the passageway 33m in the housing J3 the enlarged portion of the passageway has a shoulder JJb against which the enlarged end of the rod 16 is seated when the rod is in its lowest position. do. Enlarged end 16a of rod 16 and passage 33m
The enlarged part is a passage 33h around the axis in the longitudinal direction.
It is formed to prevent or limit the rotation of the locator 0 within. The sensor is otherwise as shown in Figures 1 and 2, but this modification applies equally to the modified sensor of Figure 4 having a linear or curved scale. If the sensor is required to respond to the movement of the object 10 only between the initial and final intermediate positions of the object, i.e. between the first and second intermediate positions R and S (FIG. 7), the sensor described above can be used. It is transformed as shown in Figure 7. As shown, an adjustable pin 35 is arranged to move from an extended position to a retracted position relative to the rod 16 of the sensor 1c against the bias of a spring 41. The pin 35 is adjustably screwed into a nut 42 which rests within the rod 16 and can slide therein. The nut 42 is normally brought into contact with the annular shoulder JJK at the lower end of the mouth yP by means of a spring 41. The force applied to the nut 42 by the spring 41 is applied to the rod 16
It can be adjusted according to the sensor situation by adjusting the position of the spring support plug 42a screwed into the spring support plug 42a. The rod 16 slides within a correspondingly formed passageway 33a in the housing 33, as in the previously described embodiment, but in this embodiment the upper end of the passageway 33 is connected to the passageway J.
The adjustably positionable body 10 screwed into the Ja is positioned so as to contact the upper end of the rod 16 when in its fa2 intermediate position 8. This intermediate position is the first intermediate position R
It is closer to the final position Q of the object. j? at the position of the object between the second intermediate position S and the final position Q? Fi
The rod l6 is contacted by the object against the plug 44, the pin 35 is pressed into the rod 16 by the object 10 against the bias of the spring 41, so that for these positions of the object the rod is not moved by the object. . Object 10
When the rod 16 descends below the second intermediate position @S, the rod 16 begins to move with the object and continues to move with the object until the rod stops moving and the object reaches its first intermediate position R. In this embodiment, as in the embodiment of FIG.
Rock. The lowest end position of the rod 16 is the enlarged upper end 11m of the rod.
and the shoulder 33b in the passageway 33. The position R of the object is determined by adjusting the pin 35 with the nut 42 when the nact engages against the shoulder 43.
The sensor of this embodiment is otherwise similar to that described in FIGS. 1 and 2 or 4 with either a straight or curved scale. Thus, the substantial balance of rod, arm, and indicator moments described above with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 is also provided in this embodiment;
If necessary, a spring 25 (not shown) may be provided.

The Wcs diagram shows a fluid pressure sensing device including sensors Idf:Ijl. As shown, the device has an upper part 12 and a lower part 7.
A housing is provided. A diaphragm, which forms the object 10 in this embodiment, is provided between the upper and lower housings. The upper part of the housing is a diaphragm 10
The upper chamber 301d has a pressure that communicates with the atmosphere, for example. The lower part 7 of the housing is delimited by a diaphragm 10, the pressure of which is sensed by a chamber 25 with an inlet 29 for fluid. The diaphragm 10 may be of any other shape that itself forms a chamber 15 within the housing, as will be shown below.

Diaphragm 10 is biased in one direction, and its direction is responsive to the pressure in chamber 15 relative to the pressure in upper chamber 30. For example, as shown, the pressure in the chamber 15 is greater than the pressure in the upper chamber 30, and the ear 7 ram is located between the upper part of the housing and the disk 11 fixed to and forming part of the diaphragm 1σ. The spring 14 located within the upper chamber 30 forces the spring 14 downwardly.

In this embodiment, the diaphragm is deflected upwardly from the initial lowermost position shown in FIG. do.

The sensor 1d is of the type described in FIGS. 1 and 2, and is provided together with the rod 16 substantially at right angles to the direction of deflection of the closing diaphragm. Sen f-Jd is also shown in Figure 4, Figure 6 or Figure 7.
The one described in the figure may also be used. As shown in the figure, a scale 22, which is a linear scale, is arranged so as to be visible from the outside of the housing through a window 24 provided in the cross section 12.

The window may be replaced by a magnifying lens to magnify the scale, or a removable magnifying glass 24& may be provided over the window to magnify the scale as shown. The indicator 23 may be in the form of a parr with a groove 39 in the center through which the scale can be seen, for example as shown in FIG. The sensor is configured such that the rod 16 is in contact with the diaphragm and thereby moves through the entire range of diaphragm excursion as shown or as described with respect to FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 6. The sensor is arranged to move only over the upper part of the range, or only over the middle part of the range as shown for FIG.

Since the diaphragm of each machine responds to pressure, rod 1
The lowest position and, if necessary, the highest position of 6 are first adjusted when the sensor is installed in the device, adjusting the position of the pin 35 at the end of the rod 16 and the Zorag 44, if provided. By doing this, it matches the response of the actual diaphragm. The range of pressure sensed by the sensor can be varied by selecting the appropriate spring 14. Additionally, the pressure at which diaphragm 10 contacts the end of sensor rod 16 can be adjusted by adjusting the compression of spring 14. For this purpose, the upper end of the spring engages a glug 14a screwed into the hook. The outer surface of the f-lug 14a may be provided with a diametrical groove for engagement by a screw turn, or may be provided with means to facilitate adjustment as shown.

As shown in the figure, the upper end of the Gurag J4-o is a cylindrical extension 1.
4b, the extension of which is surrounded by a collar 14e, which is rotatably supported within the housing but axially retained by the housing 12.

The worm gear 74d rotates the collar by transmitting the rotation of the manually rotatable shaft 14● to the collar. The collar 14c is keyed to the extension 14b and transmits rotation to the glug 14a to move the glug 14 island in the axial direction. In the third embodiment described above, the sensor rod 16 is in direct contact with the object 10 and its movement corresponds directly to the object's movement over the range of object positions sensed by the sensor. The movement of the object is increased accordingly by suitably choosing the length of the indicator arm 21 or the diameter of the rotary member 19 and the parameters of the teeth of both the rack 18 and the rotary member 19. However, the rod 16 and rotating member 1 are not easy to feel.
9. Object 1 without increasing arm and indicator incorporation
It is even more preferable to increase the movement of 0. This is done, for example, by incorporating a rotary lever between the object 10 and the rod 16, as shown in FIG. 9, associated with a pressure sensing device. As shown in Figure 9, sensor 1● is
4 or 7. To this end, an auxiliary rod 16b is added for contacting the object 10, which in this embodiment is a diaphragm, and this auxiliary rod also has an adjustable contact pin 35a, which is connected to the rod 16b. It can be screwed into the end or into a nut which can slide within the rod 16b as described for rod 16 in the embodiment of FIG. The auxiliary rod 16b extends substantially parallel to the main rod 16, and its upper end is pivotally connected to a first lever 46 which is pivotally connected to the housing at 46a. Leper 46 is connecting link 4
2 to a second lever 48 which is pivotally mounted to the housing at 4Jim. Main log P16 pin 3
5 contacts the leper 48 via a suitable pivot or other element 4lb pivoted to the leno 4-48. The point at which the rod is pivoted to the lever, the lever pivoted to the housing, and the connecting link 47 connected to the lever are arranged to provide the necessary increase in movement of the object 10. The connection of one of the levers 46, 48 to the link 47 is a slot, the length of which is adjustable, and the connection between the object and the rod 1
6 to accommodate a predetermined initial movement of the ear 7 ram so as not to cause movement of the main sensor rod 16.

Although similar, by reducing the number of links, the motion of the object decreases rather than increases. As in the previous embodiment, a stop is provided to limit the downward movement, or upward movement if necessary, of the rond 16, so that the sensor is located at the top or bottom of the object's full range of movement. The movement of the object 10 is shown only over the middle part. As shown, an adjustably positionable stop 49 is provided to limit the angular movement of the leper 480, but not on the main sensor as previously described.
One or more stops may be provided.

The pressure sensing device described above is used to indicate and measure pressures, such as absolute pressure, or pressures or pressure changes related to atmospheric pressure or other known pressures, and the scale 22 is suitably calibrated. . This device is also used to indicate other parameters that change with pressure. For example, the device may be used to indicate the leakage of fluid from or to a mechanism. The scale 22Fi is then suitably calibrated and the rate of movement of the indicator on the scale is a function of the amount of leakage indicating that rate. The scale has separate graduations so that leakage below the maximum allowable value can be ignored by the user if the indicator moves on the graduation in less than a predetermined amount of time. This device is also used in mechanisms to supply gas from a liquefied gas cylinder and to indicate the amount of liquefied gas remaining in the cylinder. In such cases, the pressure sensing device is connected to the gas supply line upstream of or downstream of the gas pressure regulator, and the appliance supplying the gas. Pressure sensing devices are conveniently installed in appliances that utilize gas, such as gas stoves or cooking stoves, so that the appliance is easily visible to the user. In normal use of such mechanisms, the pressure of the gas from upstream of the pressure regulator and gas supply device varies with the amount of liquefied gas in the cylinder, and although the relationship is not linear, It decreases as the amount of gas decreases. A sensor such as that described in connection with Figures 1, 2, ta4 or 6 is used, the sensor indicating only when the gas pressure is at or near the lowest usable pressure. Set. Conveniently, a sensor such as that described with respect to Figure 8 may be used, and the first selected intermediate position of the diaphragm will be the position the diaphragm would expect when the gas pressure is at its lowest usable pressure. %The second selected intermediate position is the position the diaphragm would expect when the gas pressure is high enough to be the lowest usable pressure to notify the user of the need for cylinder replacement and thus will know the need to replace the cylinder as the indicator will start moving against the scale.

The pressure sensor described above may also be incorporated within the pressure regulator itself, as shown in FIG. 1O, for example. A housing having an upper part 12 and a lower part 7 is provided for the gas pressure regulator shown in FIG.
is fixed. The upper part of the housing is delimited by a diaphragm, the upper chamber 30 of which communicates with the atmosphere, and the lower part 7 of the housing is delimited by a diaphragm and has an outlet 31 for connection to the appliance or other device in which the gas is used. An exit chamber 15 is formed. The outlet chamber 15 is connected to a gas supply 29 via an orifice 5 provided with a valve 6 and a passage 2. An inlet 29F'i connection means is provided to connect the outlet κ of the gas cylinder directly or indirectly to the inlet. As shown, the inlet 29 is adapted to be connected directly to the outlet of the gas cylinder and is provided with a member 32m cooperating with the valve at the outlet of the cylinder to connect the cylinder to the pressure regulator inlet 29.
A manually operable valve 32b that opens and closes VC opens.
The valve 6 has a valve member 8 for opening and closing the orifice 5, and the valve member 8 is in the form of a rubber gasket and is supported at one end of a rocker arm 9. The rocker arm 9 is pivotally connected to the lower part 7 of the housing by an axis 4.

The end of the opposite swinging arm 9 supporting the valve member 8 is connected to the diaphragm 1o by a hub 26. The hub 2σ has one end fixed to the center of the diamond 7-) arm 10, and the other end has a small diameter portion 28, which engages in a groove formed in the rocking arm 9 and has a corresponding shoulder. 27 and 3, and each shoulder engages an opposite surface of the rocker arm 9, so that axial movement of the rocker arm 9 causes the rocker arm 9 to rotate.

The diaphragm 10 is biased downwardly by a spring 14 which creates a chamber 30 between the upper part 12 of the housing and the disk 11 fixed to and defining part of the diaphragm 10.
located within. As mentioned above, the gas pressure regulator is a conventional one, and the operation for adjusting the gas pressure is the same as before. When the gas supply to the inlet 29 is exhausted,
The diaphragm 10 is deflected downward to its initial lowest position by the elasticity of the spring 14. In this position, the rocker arm is rotated by the diaphragm to move the valve member 8 into the orifice 5.
Move the valve away from the valve and fully open the valve 6. When the gas-filled cylinder is connected to the inlet 29, the diaphragm 10 is deflected upwardly to its final uppermost position and the rocker arm is moved to a position that closes the valve 6. When the gas is then applied, the rocker arm 9 in a stable state occupies a position in which the valve 6 is sufficiently open to maintain the required pressure in the chamber 15.

In this stable state, the diaphragm is in a position close to its final uppermost position when the gas cylinder is fully connected to the inlet 29, and then as the liquefied gas in the cylinder is used. It gradually descends towards its initial position. Under normal gas usage conditions, the position of the pressure regulator diaphragm dictates the gas pressure delivered to the outlet of the pressure regulator, but also the amount of liquefied gas remaining in the cylinder.

No. t! ! i) A sensor 1f such as that described with respect to FIGS. It is also possible to have a linear scale such as this, or a curved scale. The scale 22 is calibrated to suitably indicate the amount of liquefied gas remaining in the cylinder or the time frame for normal use of the liquefied gas remaining in the cylinder and the need to replace the cylinder. Inform the user of the time.

When gas is in normal use, the regirator outlet pressure, and therefore the diaphragm position, changes with the amount of gas remaining in the cylinder, but this change is not linear and accounts for most of the diaphragm excursion. It can be seen that this occurs when the pressure inside the cylinder becomes the vapor pressure below the usable pressure due to lack of liquefied gas. Figure 11 Gas inlet pressure (kg
Graph showing the variation in the position or excursion of the diaphragm of a butane pressure regulator as described above, with the regulator connected to the butane cylinder and when fully charged. Normal!
Under I1#t conditions it gives a maximum pressure of 7 kqi/cm'', but the maximum pressure increases to at least 1nν-3 under exceptional conditions. shows the initial position of the diaphragm with the valve fully open.As can be seen from the graph, the diaphragm has an offset of about 41 between its initial position and the final position B.Position C is the intermediate position and the diaphragm is approximately 0.2 kll/ett depending on the ambient temperature.
It is expected to be at the minimum effective outlet pressure between t'' and 0.5ψ.

When moving from position B to position CK, the diaphragm usually moves by about one angle. When the diaphragm is between position C and position man, information about the position of the diaphragm and the contents of the cylinder indicates that the cylinder in this state contains only gas at the vapor pressure of the gas in the substantially empty cylinder, and I'm not interested at all as the cylinder is beyond the point of being replaced.%A. Therefore, there is no point to sense and indicate these positions of the closing earphragm. Valid information is location B and location C.
It is given by sensing the position of 〆ear 7▲ between and giving instructions.

When the sensor 1f is as described with respect to FIGS. 1, 2, 4, or 6, the sensor rod 16 is in the position where the diaphragm is in position B and position CK$P, or The rod Ie is arranged so as to be in contact with the rod so as to move the rod 16 only when it is deviated to a position between both positions.
1g is designed to prevent the diamond 7 knob from coming into contact with the ear 7 ram when it is between position C and position A, and the deviation of the diaphragm between position C and position A is excluded from the instructions. ．．
When using, please use the leg. When the rotor is connected to a filled cylinder, the final ear 7 ram 10 is first moved to the final position B.
Assuming , the rod 16 moves to its uppermost position and the indicator 23 moves to its lowermost position at one end of the scale 22. When the use of gas begins, the dial 7 ▲ 10 first approaches position B and is in a stable state. As the liquefied gas in the cylinder disappears, it gradually moves downward in the direction of position C, and the rod 16 and indicator 23 close. Follows the movement of the earphragm. When the diaphragm 10 moves to position C,
The indicator 23 moves to the other end of the scale, and when the diaphragm is below position C, the rod 16 stops moving b,
There is no contact with the diaphragm. In this example, the range of scale 22 corresponds to intermediate and final diaphragm positions C and B, and j? 6. The scale is a unit that indicates the amount of liquefied gas in the cylinder, for example, as shown in FIG. indicates that the cylinder is nearly empty, and part 3
8 shows the intermediate state. Since the outlet pressure of the gas from the pressure layer or reactor changes with the ambient temperature, a number of different scales are used for use at different ambient temperatures, for example as shown in Figure 3. In order to obtain a correct indication of the contents of the cylinder at any time, the indicator should only be read when the mechanism is in normal use. If the sensor does not simply indicate that the cylinder is full, but also needs to indicate that the cylinder needs to be replaced, then the diaphragm should be positioned relative to the indicator in the first intermediate position C. It is sufficient to indicate that it is between B and a second intermediate position proximate to B, and this is done by using a modified seventh noser as described in connection with FIG. In the embodiments described above, the sensors are arranged to be responsive to movement of the object over the entire range of movement or a predetermined portion of the range. The sensor is further modified so that it can respond to multiple predetermined portions of the full range of movement of the object 10, as shown in FIG. 12, for example. Sensor 1 in Figure 12
g is similar to the sensor described in connection with FIG. 7; corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals and will not be described in further detail. As shown, the sensor has a curved scale 22; A linear scale may be used, and the arm 21 is balanced as shown in FIG. In addition to the parts described above, the sensor of FIG. 12 has a first temporary stop in the form of a compression spring 60 located in the space between the upper end 16a of the rod 16 and the stop 44; After a predetermined movement of the rod 16, the spring 60Fi is arranged to contact the upper end of the rod 16 to temporarily stop further movement of the rod 6. Spring 6σ
Since the elasticity of the spring 41 is set to be larger than that of the spring 41, when the rod 16 contacts the spring 60, the rod 16 does not move further, and the pin 35Fi simply fits into the rod 16 due to the upward movement of the object. . 'The M2 temporary stop in the form of the K2 compression spring 16 is attached to the nut 42.
and the holding plug 1a in the space of the rod 16, and the spring 61 temporarily stops the movement of the pin 35 from further penetrating into the loft 16 when the nut 42 comes into contact with the lower end of the spring 61. Since the elasticity of the spring 61 is set to be as large as the elasticity of the spring 600, when the nut 42 comes into contact with the spring 61, the upward movement of the object resists the elasticity of the spring 600 and causes the rod 16 to further rise, thereby compressing the spring 60. In this embodiment, the upward movement of the rod 16 is stopped by the engagement of the upper end of the rod with the lower surface of the plug 44, which has another downward protrusion to which the upper end of the spring 60 is fixed, as shown. . On deformation, another compression spring is provided which provides another temporary stop, which following the certain compression of spring 60 comes into contact with the upper end of the rod and again temporarily stops the upward movement of rod 16. The movement of the rod 16 is temporarily or momentarily stopped at this point, but the compression of the spring 61 due to the further penetration of the pin 35 into the rod 16 causes the object to rise further without any movement of the rod 16. As shown, object 10
The uppermost position of the pin 35 is set within the range of the penetrating movement of the pin 35 before the pin contacts the lower end of the plug 41. f lag 4
4, the grag 41a has a lower projection 4lb to which the spring 61 is attached. In case of deformation, another spring is applied to the rod 16 so as to initially stop the penetrating movement of the pin 35 and allow the pin to penetrate further as the rod 16 moves further.
located within.

In the above, the operation of the sensor in FIG. 12 was described in relation to the movement of an object from the lowest position to the highest position, but the operation of the sensor in FIG. The order is simply reversed.

With the above arrangement, the sensors in Figure 12 are separated by a small distance from the initial position and the sum of the individual movements a + b + e + d is large, and the sum of the individual movements + b + e + d + The sensor is designed to accommodate the movement of the object between the final position of
The sensor only operates and responds to commands, each of which follows the appropriate one of the sections m, e and ● during which the sensor does not operate. A scale built into the indicator is scaled accordingly to distinguish between the two parts of the range of movement of the sensed object. The embodiment of FIG. 12 allows the rod 16 to be deformed to a plurality of predetermined spaced apart portions of the entire range of movement of the object.
The sensor can be made responsive to the movement of the object, such that the rod moves with the movement of the object only when the object moves within a predetermined spaced-apart portion of the total range of movement.

In the embodiments described above, the means for transmitting motion between the elongate rod and the rotatable member are intermeshed teeth on both the elongate rod and the rotatable member. The engagement surfaces of the elongated member and the rotatable member may be engaged by other means, for example the surfaces may be simply frictionally engaged. The engagement surfaces of both members may be roughened to 7 to increase the frictional force. Also, the engagement surfaces of both members may have other shapes that allow movement in the longitudinal direction of the elongated member to rotate the rotating member.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the sensor 1
10 The rotating member 19 is provided with a radial projection 50 in the form of a cam follower with a roller 61 at the end as shown. The ends or rollers 51 of the projections 50 engage longitudinally extending cam surfaces 52 on the elongate member 16 such that longitudinal movement of the rod 16 causes rotation of the member 19. The member 19 has an initial position as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, from which it can be rotated counterclockwise by the cam surface 52 against the elasticity of the mainspring spring 25. The cam surface 52#i may be formed to provide a non-linear relationship between the movement of the rod 16 and the rotation of the arm 210. In this embodiment, the contact head of the rod 16, the rod mechanism, the rotary member, the arm with the indicator, and the helical spring, as in the previous embodiment, which meet the upper end of the rod 16 are substantially balanced.

As mentioned above, the sensors described above are used to sense fluid pressure or diaphragm movement for the purpose of indicating pressure changes that result in diaphragm dominance. Sensors may also use fluid pressure or other objects that move due to pressure changes. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, a sensor such as that described above is used to sense movement of the Bourdon tube 60a. As shown in FIG. 15, two sensors 1j and 1k are provided within the housing of a 60m Bourdon tube. The rod 16 of the sensor 1j does not directly sense the movement of the end of the Bourdon tube 60a, but the pivot levers 61 and 6 pivotally connected to one end of the tube 60a and its housing.
Sensed through an amplification link consisting of 2, p*-e; 2
with the adjustable stop 63 and the link of FIG. A similar adjustable free-motion connection is provided. Bourdon tube 60a
The link between the end of the Bourdon tube and the sensor 1j can take various different shapes and may actually be removed so that the sensor can directly sense movement of the end of the Bourdon tube.

As shown in Figure 15, the seventh sensor 1j is as described in Figure 12, so the sensor is connected to a 60m tube.
The scale is, for example, 4. 0k5F/ffi1 and 4.
35ψj snow and the pressure between 8.00φ61 and 8.25#/,I" are marked to indicate the pressure between 35φj snow and 8.00φ61 and 8.25#/,I".Also, as described in connection with FIG. 7, only one portion of the entire range is shown. The second sensor 1 may be of the type described in FIG. 4 and either FIG. 1 or FIG. tube 60
It is designed to sense the movement of m and give instructions. For this reason,
The pin 35 of the rod 16 of the sensor 1k engages with the end of the leper 65 which is pivotally connected to the housing part 66 of the Bourdon tube and the leper 61 at 67. If the device does not need to direct the movement of the Bourdon tube over the entire range, sensor 1k can be removed together with Leper 65. Two or more sensors as described above are provided, one of which responds over the entire range of movement of the object and the other responds over the entire range of movement of the object. React over one or more predetermined parts of the range. The sensors described above can also be used to indicate dimensions or changes from a fixed dimension. Figure 16 shows an r-ge measuring a linear dimension, but by incorporating a sensor such as that described above, only one or more portions of the entire range of the r-ge can be indicated. As shown, the r-ge has a contact rod 70 for contacting an object, which rod 70 can move longitudinally within the housing 71 against the resiliency of a spring 72. The rod has a laterally extending member 73 which is adjustably fixed to the rod 70 at a suitable point and which is attached to the rod 16 of the sensor 1m for operating the r-gear.
come into contact with. The sensor has a fourth curved scale 22.
6 or 7, and may be directed over the entire range or part of the roid's movement, or alternatively, as described with respect to FIG. Give instructions on one or more parts. Sensor housing 33
is fixed to the housing 21, and the robed 16 is fixed to the rod 70.
and extends perpendicularly to the member 73. A curved scale ゜22 is provided on the surface of the housing 71. This embodiment includes variations that can be applied to other embodiments of the sensor that increase the rotation of the rotating member 190 by means of the rod 16. As shown in the figure, the rotating member 190 and the shaft 20 include the rotating member 1
A further pinion 74 is provided which rotates with the pinion 9 and meshes with the pinion 75, the shaft of which is provided with an indicator 23 and an extension of the balance arm (not shown). pinion i
The axis of pinion 75 is vertically aligned with the axis of pinion 19, so the axis of pinion 75 has no moment about the axis of pinion l9. Spring 25 is thus provided simply to balance rod 16 as described above.

The sensor rod 16 is used to indicate a force or a change in force.
moving against a calibrated or known force, as shown in Figure 7, a device in which a sensor 1n as described in connection with Figure 5 with a curved scale can indicate compressive or tensile b forces. be incorporated into. To this end, a rod 16 is provided between two calibrated springs 80, 81 which engage their ends in the rod led housing 82, and the rod 16 has an extension 8 at one end.
3, this extension is the compression or tension to be measured b
It projects from the housing 82 for engaging the object 10 subjected to the force. When Goono is at rest, springs 80 and 8
1 and 25, the moment of the rod 16 acting as a housing for the axis of the rotating member 19 is approximately balanced by the balance gears 1 and 25, and the sensor has maximum sensitivity. In this embodiment, no slight moment is required to deflect the rod 16 in the direction of the object 10 so that the moment on the rod 16 is balanced by the spring 25. Furthermore, since it is held between rod springs 80 and 81, there is no need for a stop to limit the movement of rod 16. When using,
The rod 16 moves in the longitudinal direction against the deflection imparted by one of the springs 80, 81, depending on whether the force is compressive or tensile, and directs the applied force. The range of motion within one of the two sections of scale 220 is dictated by the direction of movement of rod 16 in response to whether the force is compressive or tensile.

As shown, the contact head 84 of the rod 16 is pivoted between the position shown in FIG. 17 for measuring compressive forces and a position 90" offset therefrom for measuring tensile forces. Rotate 85/1.

For the embodiment described above, a calibrated or known force is applied to the rod 16 with which the force being measured is balanced. For the embodiment shown in FIG. 18, the calibrated force is is applied to the intervening member, the movement of which is sensed by a sensor such as that described above. As shown in FIG. 18, a substantially T-shaped member 90 is pivoted around a pivot point 91 in a housing 92, and its vertical portion contacts the object 10 under a compressive or tensile force. Because of this, it sticks out to the outside of Hakuzong. Calibrated springs 93 and 94 are connected to the ends of the arms of member 9-0, which arms pivot due to the compressive or tensile force to be measured. The movement of one of the arms of member 90 is caused by sensor 1p as described with respect to FIG. 4 having a curved scale.
It is sensed by As in the previous embodiment, the Gouge scale 22 has two sections, one for compressive forces and the other for tensile forces.

Although the apparatus described above with respect to FIGS. 17 and 18 is capable of measuring both compressive and tensile forces, the apparatus in the embodiment of FIG. By removing the appropriate one of the springs 93 or 94, the embodiment described above can be modified to measure only the compressive force or only the tensile force, and its replacement can be made as appropriate if necessary. It is done by stopping. All of the embodiments of the sensors described above, and of devices incorporating sensors, provide indications or measurements visible on the device. is provided. In all of the above-mentioned sensors and devices, the rotating member 19 and the shaft 20 on which the rotating member 19 is supported, or the arm 2
1 or indicator 23 may be incorporated into position or movement sensing means for electrical or electronic indication or measurement. The instructions or measurements may be provided in analog or digital form and may be provided remotely. In cases where on-site instructions are not required, the arm may be integral or made integral with the rotating member to rotate together. For example, the rotary member 19 is formed in a radially projecting portion having an arm 21 in which teeth have been removed. Furthermore, in all embodiments of the sensor and the device incorporating the sensor, the means incorporate a rotating member 19, a shaft 20 supporting the rotating member, an arm 21 or an indicator 23 to determine the movement of the object IO to which the sensor responds. one or more alarms or switches or other mechanisms for control or other purposes at one or more predetermined locations within one or more portions of the area; triggers or activates the device. A mechanical link is provided between the rotating member, the shaft or indicator of the rotating member, and a mechanism or device triggered or actuated thereby, or an electrical or electronic coupling is provided between the One or more contacts or switches are provided for engagement at one or more selected locations.

The present invention is thus very sensitive to movement, thus sensing very small movements, and responding to movement of an object that may be responsive to movement within one or more predetermined portions of the object's total range of movement. Provide sensors. Sensors are designed to be cheap and mass-produced. Since Rokudo 16 simply comes into contact with the object and does not need to be mechanically coupled or connected to the object in any case, it can be detected very easily without slightly deforming or deforming the object being sensed. It can be integrated into existing equipment.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a section of an embodiment of the sensor according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view of the sensor of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a side view of the sensor of FIGS. A view drawn in the direction of the arrow, JIE 4 is a side view similar to FIG. 3 showing a modification of the sensor in FIG. 1, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the sensor shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the sensor according to the present invention. 9 and 10 are cross-sectional views of other embodiments of the pressure sensing device incorporating embodiments of the invention; FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the pressure sensing device of FIG. 8; FIG. graph showing the deviation of the diaphragm,
12 and 13 are cross-sectional views showing still another embodiment of the sensor according to the present invention, FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the portion shown in FIG. 13, and FIGS. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a device incorporating the embodiment. 1
...Sensor 10...Object, 16...Elongated member, 17...Engagement surface, 19...Rotating member, 21...
- Arm means, 33...housing. Figure 3 7? Fig. 5 Fig. 6 R-1---1p 11---- Fig. 7 Fig. 71 Fig. 72

Claims (1)

Claims: (1) A device for sensing relative movement of a relatively movable object 10, which includes a housing 33 and an elongated member 16.
, a sensing mechanism having a rotating member 19 and arm means 21, the elongate member being adapted to move linearly longitudinally between a first position and a second position in response to relative movement of the object. an engagement surface 17 provided within the housing and extending in the longitudinal direction;
The rotating member 19 is provided in the housing with circumferential engagement means, and the engagement surface of the elongated member 16 and the engagement surface of the elongated member 16 are arranged so that longitudinal movement of the elongated member causes rotation of the rotating member. The sensor is arranged such that the arm means 21 is engaged with the engagement means of the rotary member 19, the arm means 21 is rotated by the rotation of the rotary member, and the mechanism is substantially balanced about the axis of the rotary member. (2) The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the engagement surface of the elongated member and the engagement means of the rotating member can be frictionally engaged. (3) The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the engagement surface of the elongated member (16) is provided with means (18) for positively engaging the engagement means of the rotating member (19). (4) The engaging means of the elongated member and the engaging means of the rotating member consist of teeth 18, 19 that can engage with each other.
Sensors listed in section. (5) The engagement surface 17 of the elongated member 16 is partially cylindrical;
5. A sensor according to claim 4, wherein the teeth of the elongated member are arcuate in correspondence with the cylinder. (6) The sensor according to claim 3, wherein the engagement surface of the elongated member 16 has a cam 52 and the engagement means of the rotating member includes cam followers 50,51. (7) A sensor according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one end of the elongate member 16 pointing towards the first position is in contact with the object but is not mechanically coupled or connected to the object. . (8) A sensor according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one end of the elongate member 16 pointing towards the first position is in direct contact with the object. (9) One end of the elongate member facing in the direction of the first position is in contact with the object via the lever means 46, 47, 48; 62, 65. or the sensor described in item 1. 10. The sensor of claim 9, wherein the lever means is arranged to increase or decrease the movement of the object thereby imparted to the elongate member. 11. A sensor according to claim 8, wherein one end of the elongate member 16 has contact means 35 which can be adjusted to adjust the position at which the initial movement of the elongate member 16 occurs. (12) A sensor according to claim 11, wherein the contact means (35) comprises a pin with a contact head for contacting the object (10) and is screwed into the end or part of the elongated member. (13) The contact means 35 is movable relative to the elongated member, and the object is caused to move when brought into contact with the contact means without movement between the elongated member and the rotating member. Sensors listed in any of the sections. (14) The contact means 35 is biased relative to the elongated member by the deflecting means 41 into an initial extended position and is movable relative to the elongated member into a retracted position against the deflection. Sensors listed in section. (15) A sensor according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mechanism is arranged such that the force acting on the elongate member in the direction of deflecting the elongate member towards the first position is small. (16) The sensor according to claim 15, wherein the force acts on the object to be sensed and is smaller than the force that moves the object. (17) The arm 21 and the elongated member 16 are located at centers of gravity opposite the axis of the rotating member 19, and the moments about the axis of the rotating member are symmetrical over the entire range of movement of the arm. A sensor according to any one of the claims. (18) A sensor according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate member 16 is arranged to be vertically movable. (19) The sensor according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the arm means includes an arm 21 connected to be rotated by a rotating member 19 and an indicator 23 that moves on a scale 22. 20. A sensor according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism has deflection means 25 acting on other components and contributing to the equilibrium of the mechanism about the axis of the rotating member 19. (21) The arm means 21 is adapted to balance about the axis of the rotating member, and the deflection means balance at least in part the moment of the elongated member 16 about the axis of the rotating member 19. Sensor described in Range 20. (22) The sensor according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the deflecting means is a spring. (23) The sensor according to any one of the preceding claims, which responds to movement of 1 mm or less. (24) 10 mbar or 10 centinewtons (0
．． 1 N) or less, or in response to movement caused by a pressure or force or a change thereof.
Sensors listed in section. (25) A sensor according to any one of the preceding claims, which responds to movement of an object only in a part of the entire range of movement of the object. (26) A sensor according to any one of the preceding claims, which responds to movement of an object only in a plurality of parts of the entire range of movement of the object. (27) At least temporarily elongated member 1
6; stop means 34; 33b; 44; 60;
61. A sensor according to any one of the claims. (28) a first stop that prevents movement of the elongate member 16 beyond the first portion during movement of the object in the first portion of the object's range of movement and holds the elongate member out of contact with the object; 28. Sensor according to claim 27, comprising means 34; 33b. (29) After a predetermined movement of the elongate member from the first position,
29. The sensor of claim 28, further comprising second stop means for holding the elongated member stationary. (30) the elongate member has a contact head 35 in contact with the object, the contact head being adapted to retract against the elongate member against deflection, such that movement of the object causes the elongate member to stop at a second stop; 30. Sensor according to claim 29, characterized in that further movement of the object in contact with the means (44; 60) causes the contact head to retract relative to the elongated member. (31) A sensor as claimed in claim 29 or claim 30, wherein the second stop means 44 prevents further movement of the elongated member and determines the second position. (32) a third stop means 61 for holding the contact head 35 stationary relative to the elongated member after the object has made a further predetermined movement; 3
31. A sensor according to claim 30, adapted to overcome further movement of the elongated member by further movement of the object when held stationary by the stop means 61 of the sensor. (33) A fourth stop means is provided for holding the elongated member stationary relative to the object after the object further moves a predetermined distance, and the third stop means 61 is connected to the fourth stop means and the elongated member. 33. The sensor of claim 32, wherein further movement of the object overcoming the contact causes further retraction of the contact head (35) relative to the elongated member (16). (34) A fluid pressure sensing device comprising an object that can be moved by the pressure to be sensed, and a sensor according to any one of the preceding claims that senses a predetermined movement of the object. (35) having a housing 7, 12, the object has a first chamber 15 connected to a fluid whose pressure is to be sensed and a second chamber 30 maintained at a known pressure in use; 35. The fluid pressure sensing device of claim 34, wherein the sensor includes an elongated member (16) in the second chamber extending generally parallel to the direction of movement of the diaphragm in contact with the diaphragm. (36) Elongated member 16 oriented toward the first position.
36. The fluid sensing device of claim 35, wherein the one end is spaced apart from the diaphragm 10 and does not contact the diaphragm during an initial, predetermined movement of the diaphragm. (37) The fluid pressure sensing device according to claim 34, wherein the object is a Bourdon tube 60_a. (38) Gas inlet 2
a housing 7, 12 having an outlet 9 and an outlet 31, a valve means 6 provided between the inlet and the outlet for controlling the supply of gas at the outlet, and means for controlling the valve means by the gas pressure at the outlet; and a sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 34, in which the elongated member 16 is provided in the second chamber 30 so as to be in contact with the diaphragm 10, and the valve control means is provided in the housing. a gas pressure regulator which is a flexible diaphragm disposed within the chamber and defining a first chamber 15 exposed to gas pressure at the outlet and a second chamber 30 exposed to a known pressure; (39) The one end of the elongate member 16 oriented toward the first position is spaced apart from the diaphragm and does not contact the diaphragm during an initial predetermined movement of the diaphragm.
Gas pressure regulator as described in section. (40) for controlling the gas pressure from the cylinder of liquefied gas, the sensor arm means having an indicator 23 moving on a scale 22, the scale being graduated to indicate the amount of liquefied gas remaining in the cylinder; A gas pressure regulator according to claim 38 or 39. (41) an elongated member 16 arranged to contact a housing 71, a rod 70 that is in contact with the element whose movement is to be measured and is supported for longitudinal movement within the housing, and an object 73 that moves with the rod 70; A displacement measuring device comprising: a sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 34 provided in a housing. (42) The displacement measuring device of claim 41, wherein one end of the elongated member (16) pointing in the direction of the first position is spaced apart from the object and does not come into contact with the object during an initial predetermined movement of the object. (43) Elongated member 16 is calibrated spring 80; 81;
35. A sensor according to claims 1 to 34, which is moved by a movable object subjected to a 93:94 deflection and subjected to a force to be sensed against the resiliency of a calibrated spring. Force sensing device with. 44. The force sensing device of claim 43, wherein the calibrated spring acts directly on the elongate member of the sensor. 45. The force sensing device of claim 43, wherein the elongate member 16 is connected to a pivoted lever in contact with the object, and the calibrated spring acts on the lever.