US3549835A - Positive action,fluidically controlled electrical switch - Google Patents

Positive action,fluidically controlled electrical switch Download PDF

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Publication number
US3549835A
US3549835A US802097A US3549835DA US3549835A US 3549835 A US3549835 A US 3549835A US 802097 A US802097 A US 802097A US 3549835D A US3549835D A US 3549835DA US 3549835 A US3549835 A US 3549835A
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United States
Prior art keywords
switch
control signal
pressure responsive
variable volume
responsive means
Prior art date
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Expired - Lifetime
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US802097A
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English (en)
Inventor
George E Schaller
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Edison International Inc
Original Assignee
Worthington Corp
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Worthington Corp filed Critical Worthington Corp
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Publication of US3549835A publication Critical patent/US3549835A/en
Assigned to STUDEBAKER-WORTHINGTON, INC. reassignment STUDEBAKER-WORTHINGTON, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: WORTHINGTON PUMP INC.
Assigned to EDISON INTERNATONAL, INC. reassignment EDISON INTERNATONAL, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: STUDEBAKER-WORTHINGTON, INC., A CORP. OF DE
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
    • H01H3/22—Power arrangements internal to the switch for operating the driving mechanism
    • H01H3/24—Power arrangements internal to the switch for operating the driving mechanism using pneumatic or hydraulic actuator
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S200/00—Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
    • Y10S200/05—Fluid pressure: fluid amplifier

Definitions

  • a positive action, fluidically controlled electrical switch is provided and includes a bistable fluidic element which provides first and second outputs, and first and second, mechanically interrelated expansible chamber pressure responsive means which are cooperatively associated with said fluidic element in such manner as to be effective to positively move an electrical switch between the on and off" positions thereof in response to said first and second element outputs, respectively.
  • Another object of this invention is theprovision of a positive action, fluidically controlled switch which requires the use of only readily available components of relatively low cost and proven dependability in the construction thereof.
  • Another object of this invention is the provision of a positive action, fluidically controlled switch which, in a second embodiment thereof, provides for positive, simultaneous control of two distinct, albeit interrelated, functions.
  • a further object of this invention is the provision of a positive action, fluidically controlled switch which is particularly, though by no means exclusively, adapted for use in the control of the unloader valve control solenoids of compressors.
  • the positive action, fluidically controlled switch of the invention comprises a bistable fluidic element which is operable in a manner analogous to a flip-flop device in an electrical circuit and, as such, will provide first and second outputs in response to the application of first and second inputs thereto, respectively.
  • First and second, expansible chamber pressure responsive means are provided and are mechanically interrelated in such manner that when one is expanded in response to one of said. fluidic element outputs, the other is forcibly compressed, and vice versa.
  • the pressure responsive means are connected to the bistable fluidic element and are operable in a first condition thereof, in response to one of said element outputs, to positively move an electrical switch which is cooperatively associated with one of said pressure responsive means to a first position thereof, and, in a second condition thereof in response to the other of said element outputs, to positively move said electrical switch to a second position thereof.
  • the venting of the pressure responsive means which is being forcibly compressed is effected through the bistable fluidic element.
  • a second electrical switch is cooperatively associated with the other of said expansible chamber pressure responsive means and is operable thereby simultaneously with the operation of the first-mentioned electrical switch.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a fluidically controlled electrical switch constructed in accordancewith the principles ofthepriorart
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematic diagrams of a positive action fluidically controlled electrical switch constructed in accordance with the teachings of thisinvention and respectively depict the same in the two operational conditions thereof;
  • FIG. 4 diagrammatically illustrates the positive action fluidi v cally controlled electrical switch of the invention as applied to the control of compressor unloader valve control solenoids;
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the positive action fluidically controlled electrical switch of the in vention.
  • FIG. 1 A fluidically controlled electrical switch constructed and operable in accordance with the teachings of the prior art is depicted schematically in FIG. 1 and is briefly described hereinbelow to provide a more complete background for the description of this invention.
  • This prior art switch comprises a bistable fluidic element 12 which is operable, as well understood by those skilled in this art, in a manner analogous to that of a flip-flop element in an electrical circuit.
  • the element 12 includes a power signal input 14, first and second control signal inputs as indicated at 16 and 18, first and second control signal outputs as indicated at 20 and 22, and first and second vent means cooperatively associated with said outputs and indicated respectively at 24 and 26.
  • a control signal input at 18 will effect a control signal output at 20
  • a control signal input at 16 will effect a control signal output at 22.
  • the control signal output at 20 will, of course, be continuous, despite the termination of the control signal input at 18, until such time as the element is switched by the application of a control signal input thereto at 16.
  • the control signal output at 22 will be continuous, despite the termination of the control signal input at 16, until such time as the element 12 is switched by the application of a control signal input thereto at 18.
  • the control signal output 20 upon the cessation of the control signal input at 18 and the application of a control signal input at 16, the control signal output 20 will be vented to atmosphere through vent means 24.
  • the same condition will occur relative to the control signal output 22 through vent means 26 upon the cessation of the control signal input at 16 and the application of a control signal input at 18.
  • a conventional, fluid actuated switch which comprises an input 28, a pressure chamber 30 including pressure responsive means 32 in the nature of a diaphragm extending thereacross' and carrying a switch actuator 34, and a conventional electrical switch as indicated at 36 and including a switch actuator 38, is connected as illustrated to the control signal output 20 in such manner that the presence of a control signal at input 18, with attendant presence of a control signal at output 20, will be effective to move the diaphragm 32 and switch actuator 34 to abut switch actuator 38 and close the switch 36.
  • the pressure chamber 30 upon the cessation of the control signal at input 18, and upon the application of acontrol signal at input 16, the control signal output 20, and ac cordingly, the pressure chamber 30, will be vented to atmosphere through vent means 24, whereupon the diaphragm 32 will be enabled to return to the depicted position thereof to re-open the switch 36.
  • the operational vibrations of the machinery to be controlled may be transmitted to the chamber 30 and diaphragm 32 with the result that the switch actuator 34 may be vibrated into effective contact with switch actuator 38 to close or reclose switch 36 at a time when unloader operation is not desired.
  • a fluidically controlled, push-pull electrical switch constructed in accordance with the teachings of the this invention to provide a positive action on-off" cycle, and thereby overcome the disadvantages of the prior art as discussed hereinabove, is schematically depicted in the two operational positions thereof in FIGS. 2 and 3. More specifically, the switch of the invention, as indicated generally at 40, comprises the bistable element 12 operative as described hereinabove in a manner analogous to a flip-flop element in an electrical circuit.
  • Switch actuation means are indicated generally at 42 and comprise fixed means or stator 44, which in turn includes leg members 46 and 48.
  • a movable actuator arm assembly is indicated at 50 and includes arm members 52 and 54. As currently preferred, the actuator arm assembly is supported from the stator 44 with freedom for rocking movement relative to the latter.
  • a diaphragm assembly which includes a nonexpansible diaphragm pan 56', and an expansible diaphragm 58 in fluid flow communication therewith, is disposed as shown relative to leg member 46 and arm 52 in such manner that the diaphragm pan 56 is fixedly supported from the said leg member and the expansible diaphragm 58 extends between the leg member 46 and arm 52 to support the latter from the former with freedomfor relative movement therebetween.
  • a substantially identical diaphragm assembly which includes a nonexpansible diaphragm pan 60, and an expansible diaphragm 62 in fluid flow communication therewith, is disposed as shown relative to the leg member 48 and am 54 to similarly support the latter from the former.
  • a pivot or rocking arm 64 extends as shown from the central portion of thernovable actuator arm assembly through an aperture 66 provided therefor in the stator 44 and therefrom into a notch 68 in the fixed switch support base.
  • An electrical switch which may, for example, take the form of a microswitch, is indicated at 70 and includes a switch actuator 72 which is disposed as shown within the path of movement of a switch actuator 74 affixed to the upper central portion of the expansible diaphragm 58.
  • a control signal output 20 would appear and be communicated as indicated to the diaphragm pan 56 and therefrom to the expansible diaphragm 58 to expand the latter.
  • the expansible diaphragm 62 would be vented as indicated to atmosphere through diaphragm pan 60, the control signal output 22 and the vent 26, there being no control signal input 16.
  • each of a power signal input 14 and a control signal input 16 would be applied, as indicated in FIG. 3 by the signal arrows, to the bistable fluidic device 12.
  • thelexpansible diaphragm 62 would be expanded as shown by the control signal output 22, while the expansible diaphragm 58 would be vented to atmosphere as indicated through the control signal output 20 and the vent means, 24, there being no control signal input 18.
  • the actuator arm assembly 50 would be rocked from the position of FIG. 2 to the position of FIG. 3 wherein contact between the switch actuators 72 and 74 would be broken to return the switch 70 to the off position thereof and the expansible diaphragm 58 forcibly vented to atmosphere under the compressive action of the arm 52 thereon.
  • the fluidically controlled switch 40 of the invention provides for positive switch action in both operational directions and is effective to positively maintain the switch 70 in the desired position thereof for so long as the proper control signal inputs are applied to bistable fluidic device 12.
  • the switch strokes since each of the switch strokes is powered, it may be understood that the same will provide more rapid switch operation, of a fast snap action nature, than is provided by the prior art as discussed hereinabove.
  • FIG. 4 An application of the fluidically controlled switch of the invention to the positive control of solenoid-operated compressor unloader valves is depicted diagrammatically in FIG. 4. More specifically, and as indicated therein by the labeling of the diagrammatic blocks to the exclusion of reference numerals, a vertical power pump is indicated as operatively connected to fluidic circuitry. The latter would, of course, include the bistable fluidic element 12, and the vertical power pump would be effective to provide the respective power signal input 14, and the control signal inputs l6 and 18 thereto as desired under the control of suitable fluidic signal control circuitry.
  • the fluidic circuitry is operatively connected as indicated to an electrical interface switch which would, of course, include the switch actuation means 42 and the microswitch 70.
  • the control solenoids for the compressor unloader valves would be suitably connected as indicated to the interface switch for actuation therefrom to control, as indicated, the unloader valves of the compressor.
  • FIG. 5 is identical to that of FIGS. 2 and 3 with the exception that the latter includes additional switch means and illustratesthe manner in which the fiuidically controlled switch can positively control two distinct, although most probably interrelated, functions.
  • a second switch which may again take the form of a microswitch is indicated at 76 and may be seen to be operatively associated through the medium of switch actuators 78 and 80, with the expansible diaphragm 62. Accordingly, it may be understood that with the-fluidically controlled switch 40 in the position thereof of FIG. 5--which corresponds to the position thereof of FIG. 3-switch 70 may be positively maintained in the off position thereof while switch 76 may be positively maintained in the on" position thereof.
  • switch 70 will be positively turned to and maintained in the on" position thereof while switch 76 will be positively turned to and maintained in the off position thereof. Accordingly, the particular adaptability of the embodiment of FIG. 5 to the control of two functions which are to be simultaneously maintained in different modes, and rapidly and positively variable therebetween, is believed made clear.
  • the switch of the invention may be effective to control very high powered electrical signals in response to very low power fluidic control signals or pulses.
  • a bistable fluidic element operative to provide first and second signal outputs in response to first and second signal inputs, respuectively, switch actuation means comprising first variable volume pressure responsive means, means applying said first signal output to said first variable volume pressure responsive means for expansion thereof and comprising a second variable volume pressure responsive means, means applying said second signal output to said second variable volume pressure responsive means for expansion thereof means for venting said first and second variable volume pressure responsive means, means connecting said switch actuation means to said venting means so that when said first variable volume pressure responsive means is expanded by said first signal output said second variable volume pressure responsive means will be reduced in volume and forcibly vented through said venting means, and when said second variable volume pressure responsive means is expanded by said second signal output said first variable volume pressure responsive means will be reduced in volume and forcibly vented through said venting means, and a switch actuator cooperatively associated with one of said variable volume pressure responsive means and operable in response to changes in the volume thereof to operate an electrical switch.
  • said means for venting said first and second variable volume pressure responsive means comprise first vent means in said fluidic element for venting said first signal output in the absence of said first signal input, and second vent means in said fluidic element for venting said second signal output in the absence of a second signal input whereby, in the absence of said first signal input, said first variable volume pressure responsive means may be vented through said first signal output applying means and said first vent means upon the expansion of said second variable volume pressure res o nsive means, and whereby, in the absence of said secon signal input, said second variable volume pressure responsive means may be vented through said second signal output applying means and said second vent means upon the expansion of said first variable volume pressure responsive means.
  • fiuidically controlled electrical switching system in claim 1 further comprising, a second switch actuator cooperatively associated with the other of said variable volume pressure responsive means and operable in response to changes in the volume thereof to operate another electrical switch.
  • said switch actuation means comprise means mounting said first and second variable volume pressure responsive means, wherein said switch actuation means includes means connecting said first and second variable volume pressure responsive means, said connecting means being movable, upon the expansion of said first variable volume pressure responsive means, to a first position relative to said mounting means in which said second variable volume pressure responsive means are forcibly reduced in volume by said connecting means, and said connecting means are movable, upon the expansion of said second variable volume pressure responsive means, to a second position relative to said mounting means in which said first variable volume pressure responsive means are forcibly reduced in volume by said connecting means.
  • switch actuation means comprise means mounting said first and second variable volume-pressure responsive means
  • said switch actuation means includes means connecting said first and second variable volume pressure responsive means, said connecting means being movable, upon the expansion of said first variable volume pressure responsive means, to a first position relative to said mounting means in which said second variable volume pressure responsive means are forcibly reduced in volume by said connecting means, and said connecting means are movable, upon the expansion of said second variable volume pressure responsive means, to a second position relative to said mounting means in which said first variable volume pressure responsive means are forcibly reduced in volume by said connecting means.
  • fluidically controlled electrical switching system as in claim 5 further comprising, a second switch actuator cooperatively associated with the other of said variable volume pressure responsive means and operable in response to changes in the volume thereof to operate another electrical switch.

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  • Switches Operated By Changes In Physical Conditions (AREA)
  • Reciprocating Pumps (AREA)
US802097A 1969-02-25 1969-02-25 Positive action,fluidically controlled electrical switch Expired - Lifetime US3549835A (en)

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US80209769A 1969-02-25 1969-02-25

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US (1) US3549835A (ja)
JP (1) JPS4912953B1 (ja)
DE (1) DE2008155A1 (ja)
GB (1) GB1264762A (ja)

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JPS60191941U (ja) * 1984-05-31 1985-12-19 大倉電機工業株式会社 ものさし付秤

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JPS4912953B1 (ja) 1974-03-28
GB1264762A (en) 1972-02-23
DE2008155A1 (de) 1970-09-10

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