Thermal measuring and testing – Temperature measurement – Nonelectrical – nonmagnetic – or nonmechanical temperature...
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-10
2001-09-11
Moulis, Thomas N. (Department: 3747)
Thermal measuring and testing
Temperature measurement
Nonelectrical, nonmagnetic, or nonmechanical temperature...
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286997
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, in general, to the field of temperature indicators and, more particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus for determining whether the temperature of a pressurized fluid contained in a container (or flowing through a conduit) has, at some previous time, exceeded a specified temperature. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for indicating whether the temperature of a gas (e.g., air) within a container or conduit has exceeded such a specified temperature. The present invention is seen to have particular application to determining whether air flowing in a conduit between a low pressure cylinder and a high pressure cylinder of a two-stage air compressor having an integral intercooler provided therebetween has exceeded a specified temperature.
2. Description of the Related Art
As is generally well known in the art, fluids at elevated temperatures are present in many types of processes and apparatuses and keeping the fluids within particular temperature ranges can be essential to a proper functioning of these processes and apparatuses. The fluid having exceeded, at some prior time, a specified temperature can possibly indicate a malfunction which should be investigated.
As is explained more fully below, a well known air compressor unit employed extensively in the rail transportation industry uses a two-stage compression, with air from a low compression cylinder passing through an integrally provided intercooler prior to introduction into a high compression cylinder. At least a portion of the air may be routed so as to bypass the intercooler, particularly upon initial startup, to prevent the air introduced into the high pressure cylinder from being “overcooled”, which can create problems due to excess condensation forming in the intercooler.
The amount of air which is actually routed through the intercooler in such a case may be controlled via a thermostatic control system. Excess temperature of the air passing through the conduit leading from the intercooler to the high pressure cylinder can be indicative of a malfunctioning of such a thermostatic control system.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, one object of the present invention is the provision of a temperature indicator for indicating whether a pressurized fluid contained in a container (or flowing through a conduit) has, at some previous time, exceeded a specified temperature.
Another object of the present invention is the provision of such a temperature indicator which is simple in construction and therefore inexpensive to manufacture, while still being reliable in operation.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of such a temperature indicator particularly adapted for monitoring the temperature of a gas (most particularly air) flowing in a conduit between a low pressure cylinder and a high pressure cylinder of a two-stage type air compressor unit having an intercooler interposed between the low and high pressure cylinders, the air compressor unit preferably utilizing a thermostatically controlled bypass mechanism for the intercooler.
In addition to the objects and advantages of the present invention described above, various other objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent to those persons skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing Figures and with the appended claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, the invention generally features a temperature indicator for providing a visual indication that a pressurized fluid has exceeded a specified temperature. Such pressurized fluid being contained within a container bounded by a container wall and such container wall being provided with an aperture for mounting of the temperature indicator therein such that the temperature indicator protrudes through such aperture and into such pressurized fluid contained within such container. The temperature indicator includes a housing member, a cavity provided in the housing member and a bore extending from an interior portion of the cavity to an exterior surface of the housing member. The exterior surface of the housing member is visible from a position external of such container when the temperature indicator is mounted in such aperture such that the temperature indicator protrudes through such aperture and into such pressurized fluid contained within such container. The temperature indicator further includes a plunger member at least partially disposed within the cavity. The plunger member extends into the bore and a bonding agent bonds the plunger member to the housing member. The bonding agent is substantially exposed to such pressurized fluid contained within such container and the bonding agent being thermosensitive to substantially release the bonding of the plunger member to the housing member upon the bonding agent substantially exceeding the specified temperature.
In another aspect, the invention generally features a temperature indicator disposed to monitor a temperature of a fluid flowing in a two-stage type air compressor. The two-stage air compressor includes a low pressure cylinder for compressing such fluid to a first pressure, a high pressure cylinder for compressing such fluid to a second pressure greater than the first pressure and an intercooler for receiving such fluid from the low pressure cylinder at the first pressure and for providing such fluid to the high pressure cylinder. The intercooler has a mechanism for substantially cooling such fluid received from the low pressure cylinder and a conduit for transferring such fluid from the intercooler to the high pressure cylinder. The temperature indicator is mounted on the conduit to monitor a temperature of such fluid passing through the conduit and includes a housing member, a cavity provided in the housing member and a bore extending from an interior portion of the cavity to an exterior surface of the housing member. The exterior surface of the housing member being visible from a position external of the conduit. The temperature indicator also includes a plunger member at least partially disposed within the cavity. The plunger member extends into the bore and a bonding agent bonds the plunger member to the housing member. The bonding agent being substantially exposed to such fluid contained within the conduit and the bonding agent being thermosensitive to substantially release the bonding of the plunger member to the housing member upon the bonding agent substantially exceeding a specified temperature.
In a yet further aspect, the invention generally features a temperature indicator for providing a visual indication that a pressurized fluid has exceeded a specified temperature. The temperature indicator includes a housing member, a cavity provided in the housing member and a bore extending from an interior portion of the cavity to an exterior surface of the housing member. A plunger member is at least partially disposed within the cavity and the plunger member extends into the bore. A bonding agent bonds the plunger member to the housing member. The bonding agent being thermosensitive to substantially release the bonding of the plunger member to the housing member upon substantial exposure of the bonding agent to a temperature substantially exceeding the specified temperature.
The present invention will now be described by way of a particular preferred embodiment, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, wherein:
REFERENCES:
patent: 4082000 (1978-04-01), Volk et al.
patent: 4289088 (1981-09-01), Scibelli
patent: 4356790 (1982-11-01), Gee
patent: 4421053 (1983-12-01), Volk
patent: 4748931 (1988-06-01), Volk
patent: 5487352 (1996-01-01), Williams et al.
patent: 5799606 (1998-09-01), Volk et al.
patent: 5988102 (1999-11-01), Volk et al.
Cunkelman Brian L.
Ray Jennifer L.
James Ray & Associates
Moulis Thomas N.
Westinghouse Air Brake Company
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