Texas Instruments Corporation

James R Thayer

John T Hancock

Scott B Sehlhorst

Henry J Boulanger

Bryan C Jansen

A fluid pressure responsive electric switch (10) is shown having an elongated base (12) in which first and second terminals (34, 48) are mounted by dropping them into respective slots (26, 28). The terminals are provided with tabs (38, 52) to engage with a platform (30) of the base to limit motion in one direction and are in turn engaged by a guide member (62) to prevent motion in an opposite direction. The guide member (62) has a cylindrical force transfer portion (86) aligned with the weld portion (104) of a sensor assembly (92) to transfer force without adversely affecting the calibration of the sensor assembly. Electrical leads (118, 120) have connectors (126, 128) attached to an end thereof along with cylindrical gaskets (134) which form an interference fit in bores (22, 20) of the base to provide an environmental seal at the same time electrical connection is made to the terminals. In a modified embodiment a special thermal isolation fitting (140) is shown particularly adapted for use in sealed refrigeration applications.

Fluid pressure responsive electric switch and method for assembling same

Fluid pressure responsive electric switch

A control device has a nested stack of dished disc elements disposed in a cup beneath a diaphragm to move toward an inverted dished configuration with snap action to perform a control function or the like in response to occurrence of a predetermined pressure applied to the discs through the diaphragm. An annulus or bolster disposed between the rim of the cup and the diaphragm has an inner diameter nested in closely spaced relation to the domed, central portion of the dished element at the top of the stack normally cooperate with the stack of elements in supporting the diaphragm against pressure applied to the diaphragm. The annulus protects the diaphragm from being damaged by being pressed against peripheral portions of the disc elements when the discs move with snap action to their inverted dished configurations. The cup configuration is selected to include an increment in the cup side wall corresponding to each dished disc element in the stack thereby to permit convenient mounting of the diaphragm in precise position relative to the elements in an inexpensive, durable, welded and sealed structure while permitting accommodation of different numbers of disc elements in the cup as desired to provide devices with predetermined different actuating pressure characteristics.

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Versailles, KY, United States of America

James R Thayer