JPS6027863A - Detecting mechanism of flow - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a mechanism (3) for detecting flow in a fluid transfer conduit, which mechanism is generally mounted to a conduit in a sealed relationship over an opening in the conduit. and a reaction member extending into the housing, first pivot means providing a first pivot point for the reaction member reservoir, actuation means pivotally coupled to the reaction member, and a reaction member for the actuation means. second pivot means for providing a pivot point; and flow sensing means inserted into the conduit and movable in response to fluid flow within the conduit.

The present invention contemplates 1 that the actuating means be pivotally mounted in an opening in the housing that is provided with a dam to prevent fluid flow bypassing the actuating means.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to flow sensing mechanisms, and more particularly to flow sensing mechanisms useful for operating other mechanisms, such as switches.

Flow-sensitive switch mechanisms of the type described above rely on the presence or absence of fluid flow to actuate associated components, as well as the use of many different mechanisms for sensing and controlling flow in fluid transfer devices. It has a purpose.

(4) Many of these switches available today sense fluid flow through the movement of vanes or similar detectors located within the fluid transfer conduit. Physical movement of the detector can be achieved either directly by the flow of fluid impinging on the detector, or by the use of mechanisms in the conduit, such as orifices, blades, or turbines, that create pressure differences that cause movement of the detector. be done. This physical movement must then be transmitted to the exterior of the conduit to activate a switch, usually electrical, to indicate the presence of flow.

A typical example of a switch mechanism that follows this trend is 1.
U.S. Patent 8,845, granted Oct. 29, 974.
, 259. As described in this patent, a shaft pivots at a point in response to fluid flow to actuate a switch. This type of device has been found useful in detecting flow in relatively large diameter pipes, for example, 2 inches or more in diameter. However, it has been found that with only one pivot point sufficient force cannot be generated when detecting flow in pipes having diameters of 19 to 88s11 ('% to L34 inches) (5). Ta. Also,
It has also been found that when the pipe diameter is smaller, the fluid flow tends to bypass the actuating means, making it more difficult to pivot the shaft and actuate the switch.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a flow sensing mechanism that is particularly effective for use in small diameter conduits. Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism comprising actuating means comprising two members, each member having a pivot axis and the pivot members having flow sensing means pivotally coupled together. . Yet another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism in which a pivot member extending into the conduit is pivotally mounted to substantially prevent fluid flow from bypassing the actuating means.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings, a flow sensing mechanism 10 is shown housed in a housing 12. Housing 12 is coupled to opening 14 of conduit 16 via seal 18 by methods well known in the art.

The housing 12 is a cup-shaped member having an open end 22 and a base 24 having an opening 26. The opening 22 is closed by an elastic member 28 forming a seal with the housing. A rigid plate 30 holds the seal 28 and backup plate 32 in place.

According to the invention, flow sensing means 84 are provided which are responsive to the flow of fluid within conduit 16. The detection means 34 includes a reaction member 36 and an actuation means 38 .

The reaction member 36 includes a shaft 40 and a rigid arm 42 secured to the shaft. U.S. Patent 8,845 mentioned above
．． 259, the shaft 40
extends through apertures 44 in plate 30 and apertures 46 in back-up plate 32 and is held in sealing relationship with resilient member 28 . As further described in US Pat. No. 8,845,259, shaft 40 engages a groove in backup plate 82 and is rotated about point 48 by pivoting of distal ends 42' and 42''.

(7) Actuation means 38 comprises a paddle 50 held within conduit 16 and pivotally connected to pin 52 via coil springs 54 and 56. More specifically, the terminus 54
' and 56' are connected to paddle 50. The reaction member and the actuating means have the other end 5 connected to or engaged with a sleeve 58 held in the arm 42 of the reaction member.
4" and 56".

As shown, pin 52 is held fixedly in alignment with aperture 26 through cylindrical notches 27 and 29 and is actuated in conjunction with protrusions 51 and 53 to provide a better and more reliable actuation force. A dam is provided to essentially prevent water from bypassing the housing around the means.

Referring to FIG. 2, the flow of fluid in the direction indicated by the arrow forces paddle 50 to rotate counterclockwise about pin 52, which movement then causes arm 42,
The shaft 40 therefore moves clockwise to actuate the switch means 60.

When the flow of fluid in the conduit stops, there is no longer any force acting on paddle 50 (8), so spring 62 pulls back against shaft 4.
8 counterclockwise to deactivate switch 6° and return paddle 50 to rest position 64 via coil springs 54 and 56. Since both the actuation means and the reaction member have pivot points, the force required to deactuate the switch 60 is small due to the internal leverage system.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a side view, shown in cross-section, showing a flow sensing mechanism incorporating features of the present invention in combination with a conduit through which fluid can flow. FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing another side view of the mechanism along with the conduit. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12... Housing, 16... Conduit, 22... Open end, 24... Base, 40... Shaft, 42...
・Rigid arm, 50... Paddle, 52... Pin, 54
．． 56...Coil spring (9) IG 2

Claims (1)

Claims: (1) a flow sensing mechanism within a fluid transfer conduit, comprising: a) a housing overlying an opening in the conduit and attached to the conduit in a sealing relationship; and b) within the conduit. a reaction member inserted into and movable in response to fluid flow flowing within the conduit and extending into the housing; first pivot means providing a first pivot point for the reaction member reservoir; actuation means pivotally coupled to the reaction member and extending through an opening in the housing and into the conduit; and a second pivot means providing a pivot point for the actuation means. A flow detection mechanism comprising a flow detection means. Flow detection according to claim 1, characterized in that: (2) the second pivoting means comprises a pin (1) held by the housing at the opening near the end of the housing; mechanism. (3) The actuating means includes a paddle means and a coil spring held by the pin and having one end connected to the paddle means and the other end pivotally connected to the reaction member. Flow detection mechanism according to item 2. (4) a shaft through which the reaction member extends within the housing; a rigid arm retained by the shaft;
and means at the distal end of the rigid arm engaged with the housing to provide a pivot point. Claim 4 characterized in that it includes
Flow detection mechanism described in Section. (6) a mechanism for directing flow within a fluid transfer conduit, the housing comprising a cup-shaped member having (a) a base and an open end and an opening in the base; a housing secured to the conduit in overlying sealing relation to the opening; b) sealing means for closing the open end in sealing relation to the cup-like member; and C) the sealing means. d) an actuation member pivotally coupled to the reaction member; and e) a reaction member retained within the opening of the base. means for providing a pivot axis for the reservoir of the actuating member, said means essentially preventing fluid flow from entering and exiting said cup-like member from said conduit, thus bypassing said antiphasing member; and a means for preventing flow.