Multi-condition sensor systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9922527-B2
Application number	US-201615223526-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 29, 2016
Priority date	Jul 29, 2016
Publication date	Mar 20, 2018
Grant date	Mar 20, 2018

Abstract

A multi-condition sensor, comprising a housing defining a component cavity, a pressure input tube disposed through the housing, a fault actuator disposed within the component cavity of the housing and in pressure communication with the pressure input tube through the housing, wherein the fault actuator is configured to extend and contract as a function of pressure from the pressure input tube, an alarm actuator disposed within the component cavity of the housing opposite the fault actuator and configured to be actuated by the fault actuator and to extend to a maximum fault position, and an adjustable alarm contact disposed on an opposite side of the alarm actuator within the component cavity and configured to be adjusted to a predetermined extension length from the housing to provide a predetermined alarm contact position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A multi-condition sensor, comprising:
a housing defining a component cavity;
a pressure input tube disposed through the housing;
a fault actuator disposed within the component cavity of the housing and in pressure communication with the pressure input tube through the housing, wherein the fault actuator is configured to extend and contract as a function of pressure from the pressure input tube;
an alarm actuator disposed within the component cavity of the housing positioned opposite the fault actuator and configured to be actuated by the fault actuator and to extend to a maximum fault position, wherein the maximum fault position is such that the alarm actuator cannot move further in a direction towards the fault actuator; and
an adjustable alarm contact disposed on an opposite side of the alarm actuator within the component cavity and configured to be adjusted to a predetermined extension length from the housing to provide a predetermined alarm contact position;
wherein each of the fault actuator, the alarm actuator, and the adjustable alarm contact are conductive,
wherein, in a normal operating condition, the fault actuator and the alarm actuator are in contact such that extension of the fault actuator due to pressure increase in the pressure input tube moves the alarm actuator toward the adjustable alarm contact such that contraction of the fault actuator causes the alarm actuator to extend toward the maximum fault position,
wherein, in a high pressure condition in the pressure input tube, the alarm actuator is moved by the fault actuator to contact the adjustable alarm contact at the predetermined extension length, and
wherein, in a low pressure condition in the pressure input tube, the fault actuator is separated from the alarm actuator after the alarm actuator reaches the maximum fault position.

2. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the fault actuator and the alarm actuator include bellows.

3. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a conductive portion and a non-conductive base.

4. The sensor of claim 3 , wherein the fault actuator is attached to and in electrical communication with the conductive portion of the housing.

5. The sensor of claim 4 , wherein the alarm actuator is attached to the non-conductive base.

6. The sensor of claim 5 , wherein the alarm actuator is attached to the non-conductive base via a metal washer that is brazed to the non-conductive portion.

7. The sensor of claim 5 , further comprising a first electrode in electrical communication with the alarm actuator through the non-conductive base and a second electrode in electrical communication with the conductive portion of the housing.

8. The sensor of claim 5 , wherein the adjustable alarm contact includes a conductive threaded member disposed through the non-conductive base.

9. The sensor of claim 8 , wherein the adjustable alarm contact includes a conductive calibration bellows disposed in the component cavity and configured to be contacted and actuated by the threaded member.

10. The sensor of claim 9 , wherein the threaded member is disposed through the non-conductive base via a threaded insert that is brazed to the non-conductive base and configured to matingly receive the threaded member.

11. The sensor of claim 10 , wherein the threaded insert is made of stainless steel or Inconel.

12. The sensor of claim 10 , wherein the non-conductive base is ceramic.

13. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the fault actuator and the alarm actuator are made of Inconel or stainless steel.

14. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the component cavity is a hermetically sealed environment.

15. The sensor of claim 14 , wherein the housing includes a sealed vent hole that is sealed after evacuation of the component cavity.

Assignees

• Kidde Tech Inc

Inventors

• Wallace Steven
• Codispoti Benjamin
• Coreth Lawrence A
• Frasure David W

Classifications

• G08B21/18 Primary

  Status alarms (G08B21/02 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G01M3/26

  by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors · CPC title

• G01K11/00

  Measuring temperature based upon physical or chemical changes not covered by groups G01K3/00, G01K5/00, G01K7/00 or G01K9/00 · CPC title

• G01L9/0033 Primary

  Transmitting or indicating the displacement of bellows by electric, electromechanical, magnetic, or electromagnetic means (G01L9/0008 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H01H35/00

  Switches operated by change of a physical condition (operated by change of magnetic or electric field H01H36/00; thermally-actuated switches H01H37/00) · CPC title