Bourdon Tube Or Bellows Patents (Class 374/203)
  • Patent number: 11052454
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for inspecting fastener installation. One embodiment is a method for inspecting installation of a fastener. The method includes determining an initial distance between a nose of a swage tool and an Inner Mold Line (IML) of a part, operating the swage tool to swage a collar onto a fastener that protrudes through the IML of the part, determining a terminal distance of the nose to the IML during swaging, prior to a pintail of the fastener breaking, and arriving at a conclusion indicating a state of a fastener installation, based on the terminal distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kwok Tung Chan, Farahnaz Sisco, Skye Jenkins, Jeffrey Devlin, Nathan Christopher McRae
  • Patent number: 8783945
    Abstract: A superheat sensor (1) for sensing superheat of a fluid flowing in a flow channel (3) is disclosed. The sensor (1) comprises a flexible wall defining an interface between an inner cavity (5) having a charge fluid (6) arranged therein and the flow channel (3). The flexible wall is arranged in the flow channel (3) in thermal contact with the fluid flowing therein, and the flexible wall is adapted to conduct heat between the flow channel (3) and the inner cavity (5). Thereby the temperature of the charge fluid (6) adapts to the temperature of the fluid flowing in the flow channel (3), and the pressure in the inner cavity (5) is determined by this temperature. A first wall part (7, 14) and a second wall part (9, 16) are arranged at a variable distance from each other, said distance being defined by a differential pressure between the pressure of the charge fluid (6) and the pressure of the fluid flowing in the flow channel (3), i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Asbjoern Leth Vonsild, Claus Thybo, Leo Bram, Jakob Spangberg
  • Publication number: 20140091152
    Abstract: A temperature sensor assembly is provided. The temperature sensor includes an aluminum capillary soldered to an actuation unit. The actuation unit operably fluidly couples to the capillary to define an internal cavity storing a working fluid. The working fluid configured to manipulate the actuation unit when the working fluid changes temperature. Solder sealingly couples the capillary to the actuation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Invensys Appliance Controls South America
    Inventors: Vilnei Carlos Boschetti, Leonardo Harter Da Paz, André Martins
  • Patent number: 8313040
    Abstract: To provide a temperature sensing tube for an expansion valve in which a hunting can be prevented by slowing of a temperature reaction rate of an expansion valve, a ceramic sintered member serving as a heat transfer delay member (3) in a temperature sensing tube (1) is fixed so as not to directly contact with a tubular member (2) by fixing springs (4, 4) provided at both end portions (13, 13), whereby a heat transfer from the tubular member (2) to the ceramic sintered member becomes slow, temperature is not transferred from a mated piping directly via the tubular member, whichever outer surface of the temperature sensing tube 1 contacts with the piping, and a reaction rate with respect to a temperature rise of the expansion valve can be made slow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Fujikoki Corporation
    Inventors: Kinya Okutsu, Akinori Nanbu, Mafumi Morita
  • Patent number: 8087825
    Abstract: Temperature-indicting system including a mechanical temperature-indicating system including a bourdon tube for directly driving an indicating pointer, and an electrical temperature-indicating system including an electronic sensor, a transmitter and one or more electrical switches. The transmitter is modular and easily replaceable. Output of the pointer and the transmitter is synchronized relative to accuracy so that comparison of switch points of the switches that correlate temperature determined by the mechanical system and temperature determined by the electronic system enables detection of a failure or inaccuracy in one or both systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Weiss Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: John Weiss
  • Publication number: 20110150027
    Abstract: Temperature-indicting system including a mechanical temperature-indicating system including a bourdon tube for directly driving an indicating pointer, and an electrical temperature-indicating system including an electronic sensor, a transmitter and one or more electrical switches. The transmitter is modular and easily replaceable. Output of the pointer and the transmitter is synchronized relative to accuracy so that comparison of switch points of the switches that correlate temperature determined by the mechanical system and temperature determined by the electronic system enables detection of a failure or inaccuracy in one or both systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: Weiss Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: John Weiss
  • Patent number: 6648505
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improved structure for the vehicular temperature, pressure and vacuum meters with characteristics on that the hand rod is an integrally formed design joined to the dial plate and Bourdon tube without using any bolts or screws, so it is convenient for fast assembly. The Bourdon tube and the hand rod are designed to be suitable for application of any size of the dial plate, so the Bourdon tube, the hand rod and the dial plate can be manufactured and assembled in mass production and tested beforehand to assure the required sensitivity and accuracy as long as the retaining recess on the dial plate can be fitted and locked firmly in place with the retaining protruding point on the meter housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Equus Inc.
    Inventor: Duke Chen
  • Patent number: 5895861
    Abstract: A gauge for the measurement of both pressure and temperature of a fluid includes a dial plate having pressure and temperature graduations thereon, a first Bourdon tube for measuring pressure and a second Bourdon tube for measuring temperature. The Bourdon tubes are of conventional multiturn spiral construction, each having an open end which communicates with a source of pressure and a closed free end that rotationally responds to changes in pressure within the Bourdon tube. The open ends of the Bourdon tubes are mounted in fixed relation to the dial plate. Attached to the free end of each Bourdon tube is a direct coupled indicating pointer which is rotationally displaceable relative to corresponding graduations on the dial plate. A temperature responsive bulb is connected via a capillary tube to the open end of the second spiral Bourdon tube and forms a closed temperature sensing system therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Weiss Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Slonaker
  • Patent number: 5816708
    Abstract: In the thermometer of the present invention a hollow sensing element (9) is connected by a capillary tube (18) to the hollow space of a Bourdon spring (19). The hollow sensing element (9), the capillary tube (18) and the mechanical measuring unit are filled with a substance whose pressure varies with temperature thus causing the Bourdon spring (19) to actuate a mechanical indicating device (5, 6). The capillary tube (18) or the hollow space of the mechanical measuring unit (2) has connected thereto an electric measuring unit (3) which comprises a measuring chamber (15) enclosed by a rigid casing (12), an electric pressure measuring cell (16) bounding the measuring chamber (16), and an electric measuring transducer (4) connected to the pressure measuring cell (16) for generating a transmittable signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Inventor: Manfred Urich
  • Patent number: 5621389
    Abstract: A fire detection system includes an elongated liquid filled tube with a fluid coupled alarm switch, with a flexible diaphragm which senses a change from the liquid to vapor phase in the presence of an overheat or fire condition to provide an alarm. To prevent false alarms due to normal expansion of the liquid under changing ambient temperature conditions, a compensator is provided which in one form is a pair of mechanically coupled bellow type containers, filled with the same liquid which will expand at the same rate as the fluid under normal ambient temperature conditions but in a fire condition will resist faster expansion thus causing the alarm switch to be actuated. In another embodiment, a bimetallic bellows is utilized to match the liquid expansion but resist greater vapor pressure. Yet in another embodiment the change in liquid flow rate due to a fire condition is sensed to prevent further accommodation to the normal increase in volume of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Whittaker Corp.
    Inventor: Robert A. Fellows
  • Patent number: 5405078
    Abstract: A thermally-actuated steam trap, which performs the opening and closing operations of a valve according to a change in the volume of an expansible medium, comprises at least two diaphragms and a valve member fitted to the lower diaphragm. The lower diaphragm is shaped so that it comes to be more sensitive to a change in pressure than the upper diaphragm, to provide a steam trap which permits a discharge passage to be opened also when the fluid pressure at the inlet side is relatively week, and which is stable in operation from the initial stage as the opening and closing operations of the valve are performed intermittently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: TLV Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Yumoto
  • Patent number: 5348395
    Abstract: An aspirating or suction pyrometer for measuring hot combustion gases. A thermocouple in the pyrometer has a temperature sensitive junction formed of platinum alloys. The thermocouple junction is insulated and is encased within a platinum alloy sheath. The sheathed thermocouple is mounted within inner and outer tubular radiation shields. These shields are formed of a platinum alloy having a radiation emissivity substantially the same as the thermocouple. The shields block radiated heat from the flame and combustion chamber from being transferred to the thermocouple. The radiation shields do not themselves radiate heat to the thermocouple because the shields and thermocouple are at the same temperature and formed of substantially the same noble alloys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Corr, II, Joseph Citeno
  • Patent number: 5323960
    Abstract: A thermostatic control valve assembly for use in continuously mixing a hot first fluid with a cold second fluid to continuously produce a mixed fluid at a constant temperature. The valve assembly includes an improved baffled mixing dome defining a mixing chamber that facilitates thorough mixing of the hot and cold fluids over a wide range of flow rates. Also included is an improved multiple response thermostat having a fast response rate adjacent to the entrance of the mixing dome for responding quickly to the temperature of fluid entering the mixing dome. The valve assembly further includes a piston/cylinder configuration which covers and uncovers internal passageways to control the mixed fluid temperature. The internal passageways are shaped to cause a non-linear change in the mixed fluid temperature in the mixing dome as the piston moves in the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Lawler Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin B. Kline
  • Patent number: 4663608
    Abstract: A pressure-biased, temperature sensor means utilizing a cooperating pair of aligned bellows operators in a chamber communicating with a fluid system. One of the bellows expanding in response to an elevated temperature of said fluid and the second bellows expanding in response to a decrease in fluid pressure. Both of the bellows operate to move a diaphragm operator to close a switch means in a signal circuit thereby completing the circuit and energizing a signal means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1987
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Corporation
    Inventor: Robert R. Kelly
  • Patent number: 4646406
    Abstract: A bourdon tube for gas and liquid-filled thermometers and pressure gauges constructed by edge welding two strips of isoelastic nickel alloy to form a wall to wall low volume bourdon tube that exhibits a low ambient temperature effect and improved rangeability over all existing bourdon tubes used for temperature and pressure measurement and control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: Weiss Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: John Weiss, William H. Slonaker
  • Patent number: 4633213
    Abstract: A pressure-temperature sensor for monitoring a fluid system for an over-temperature, an under-pressure or an over-pressure condition. The sensor includes a bellows operator enclosed in a fluid-filled housing with a normally-closed, first switch means and a normally-open second switch means. A diaphragm operator and a bellows are responsive to changes in temperature and pressure to, respectively, operate the first and second switches to indicate an over-temperature, an under-pressure or an over-pressure condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1986
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Corporation
    Inventor: Harry J. Venema
  • Patent number: 4630028
    Abstract: A pressure-biased, temperature sensor for monitoring a fluid system for either an over-temperature or under-pressure condition. The sensor includes a bellows operator immersed in the fluid of a coolant system. The bellows operator expands in response to changes above a predetermined temperature or below a predetermined pressure to complete a signal circuit and energize a signal means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1986
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Corporation
    Inventors: Robert R. Kelly, Morley S. Smith
  • Patent number: 4606104
    Abstract: In making a gas pressure thermometer measuring system comprising a container for the gas, a Bourdon tube, and a capillary of no more than about 20 m which connects said container to one end of the Bourdon tube is filled with the gas to a superatmospheric pressure prevailing at the ambient temperature. The system is hermetically sealed and the free end of the Bourdon tube is connected to a temperature indicator or recorder through a transmission mechanism. According to the method of the invention, a Bourdon tube is used which has a long overall spring movement of at least 22 mm and an effective spring movement of about 11 mm, the measuring system is filled with the gas to a pressure, prevailing at ambient temperature, of at least about 5 bar, and the non-linear indication occurring as the Bourdon tube is uncoiled is compensated for by adjusting angles .alpha. and .beta..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Assignee: Stiko Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Johannes G. Stiller
  • Patent number: 4566807
    Abstract: Disclosed is a differential temperature cell useful for measuring the difference in temperature between two environments. This dT cell comprises a first reservoir which is in fluid communication with a first chamber. Part of one wall of the first chamber defines a diaphragm, which also forms a part of the wall of a second chamber. The diaphragm provides a structure for measuring differences in pressure between the two chambers. The second chamber is also in fluid communication with a second reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1986
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Johannes L. A. Koolen
  • Patent number: 4560288
    Abstract: A thermometer comprises a first sample space having a liquefiable gas sealed therein and a second sample space partitioned from the first sample space by a pressure difference detecting element and having a liquefiable gas sealed therein in conjunction with an adsorbent. As this thermometer is cooled to cryogenic temperatures, the second sample space is vacuumized by the action of the adsorbent. As the pressure difference detected by pressure difference detecting element at this is equal to the vapor pressure in the first sample space, the temperature can be accurately measured from the detected pressure difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignees: Agency of Industrial Science & Technology, Ministry of International Trade & Industry
    Inventor: Koichi Nara
  • Patent number: 4494693
    Abstract: An adjustable liquid thermal compensator mechanism which provides both an actuation end attached to an expandible volume portion of a liquid chamber and a manually controlled adjustable volume portion that is used to calibrate the stroke of the compensator by allowing the addition or release of fluid from the chamber. A supply reservoir is interconnected to the compensation chamber through a valve which provides the increased or decreased amount of fluid during chamber adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Wilfred H. Bachle
  • Patent number: 4357831
    Abstract: A liquid expansion thermometer which includes ambient temperature correction means in the form of compensation elements located along the length of the thermometer duct and, each compensation element comprising a hollow shell in which is positioned a solid element, and each compensation element acting to compensate for volume changes in an associated duct segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1982
    Assignee: Societe de Fabrication des Appareils Bourdon
    Inventor: Pierre Biettron
  • Patent number: RE44273
    Abstract: A thermostatic control valve assembly for use in continuously mixing a hot first fluid with a cold second fluid to continuously produce a mixed fluid at a constant temperature. The valve assembly includes an improved baffled mixing dome defining a mixing chamber that facilitates thorough mixing of the hot and cold fluids over a wide range of flow rates. Also included is an improved multiple response thermostat having a fast response rate adjacent to the entrance of the mixing dome for responding quickly to the temperature of fluid entering the mixing dome. The valve assembly further includes a piston/cylinder configuration which covers and uncovers internal passageways to control the mixed fluid temperature. The internal passageways are shaped to cause a non-linear change in the mixed fluid temperature in the mixing dome as the piston moves in the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Magarl, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin B. Kline