Fluid handling – With indicator – register – recorder – alarm or inspection means – Position or extent of motion indicator
Patent
1990-02-07
1991-07-16
Rivell, John
Fluid handling
With indicator, register, recorder, alarm or inspection means
Position or extent of motion indicator
2482314, F16K 3700
Patent
active
050316605
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to mounting of alarm switches to valves and relates particularly, but not exclusively, to an alarm switch with mounting means and to a method of mounting such a switch to a rising stem type water supply valve so that the alarm switch can monitor the open and/or closed condition of said valve.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
I already have patents in Australia relating to alarm switches for water supply valves. I make reference to Australian Standard Patent No. 567,040 and to Australian Petty Patents Nos. 549,439 and 551,017, the subject matter of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
It has been found particularly troublesome to correctly align the alarm switch relative to the valve stem or valve shaft in valves owing to the rather peculiar structure where the spacing apart of the side sections of yokes which support the valve shaft are different between valves. Such yokes are also inclined relative to the central longitudinal axis of the valve shaft. This, in turn, makes for complicated mounting means. The problem is further exacerbated by the fact that the angle of inclination of the sides of the yokes are different between valves made by different manufacturers. Hence, it is generally accepted that a large range of mounting brackets are needed to accommodate mounting of such alarm switches to all valves regardless of manufacturer.
OBJECT AND STATEMENT OF INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to attempt to provide an alarm switch with mounting means which can reduce, at least to some small degree, the aforementioned problem. A method of mounting such an alarm switch is also within the general object of the invention.
Therefore, according to a first broad aspect of the present invention there may be provided an alarm switch of a type which is externally mountable to a control valve for sensing of the open and/or closed state of said valve, said alarm switch having a casing in which is carried a switch means for providing such sensing when mounted to co-operate with an appropriate sensing initiating means associated with a valve shaft of said valve, said casing having two resilient mounting fingers one on one side and the other on an opposite side, said mounting fingers being mountable to a yoke part of said valve, the resiliency of each finger being such that the fingers will resiliently deflect to accommodate for minor variations of yoke widths so that said casing will be centrally disposed across said yoke and in alignment with the central axis of the valve shaft of said valve.
According to a further broad aspect of the present invention there may be provided a method of mounting an alarm switch to a fluid supply valve for sensing the open and/or closed state of said valve, said alarm switch being contained within a casing, said method comprising:
(a) attaching one resilient finger to one side of a yoke of said valve,
(b) attaching a second resilient finger to an opposite side yoke of said valve so that a valve shaft of said valve is centrally between the fingers,
(c) attaching each of the fingers to respective opposite sides of said casing so said casing will be centrally disposed across said yoke and in alignment with the central axis of said valve shaft, said resilient fingers being resiliently deflected when said casing is so disposed, the resiliency being sufficient to accommodate for minor variations in yoke widths.
The order of attachment of the fingers to the yokes and to the casing may be reversed and this is to be understood to be within the scope of the invention.
Most preferably the fingers are attached to the casing by position adjusting attachment means so that by appropriate adjustment thereof, the casing can be attached correctly relative to said valve shaft whereby to accommodate for minor variations in yoke widths in valves.
Most preferably there are provided two mounting brackets which can then be attached to said casing--one on each side--and to said yoke to securely fasten and hold said casing in a correct ope
REFERENCES:
patent: 896864 (1908-08-01), Spamer
patent: 1952397 (1934-03-01), Turner
patent: 1990339 (1935-02-01), Lowe et al.
patent: 2551157 (1951-05-01), Price
patent: 2920642 (1960-01-01), Tiefenthaler
patent: 4301767 (1981-11-01), Willinger et al.
patent: 4518008 (1985-05-01), Fenster et al.
patent: 4665386 (1987-05-01), Haws
patent: 4696325 (1987-09-01), Magee
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