Controls Company of America

Lui M Lee

George Obermann

A pressure switch and transducer arrangement combines into a single unit both a power contact switch for providing power to an automobile fuel pump in response to a predetermined minimum oil pressure and a magnet/Hall effect sensor for providing an analog signal indicative of the oil pressure for use by the automobile on-board microcomputer. The arrangement includes an actuator rod movable by a diaphragm in response to oil pressure. The end of the rod remote from the diaphragm is coupled to a contact washer for providing the power switching function and also to a magnet which cooperates with a fixed Hall effect sensor, which sensor provides an output corresponding to the air gap between the magnet and the sensor. The magnet and the washer are coupled to the actuator rod in such a manner that even after the washer makes contact with the power switching terminals, the actuator rod and magnet are free to continue moving as the oil pressure continues to increase.

Combined electronic pressure transducer and power switch

A flow rate sensor including a diaphragm having a first side in fluid communication with a Venturi and a flow conduit. With flow through the conduit, the diaphragm travels downwardly, the extent of travel being determined by the flow rate. A permanent magnet assembly is coupled to the second side of the diaphragm for movement therewith and a Hall effect sensor assembly is fixed on the housing along a line which is an extension of the line of travel of the permanent magnet. Accordingly, the output from the Hall effect sensor is related to the distance between the magnet and the sensor and, thus, to the flow rate through the conduit. In order to prevent fluid from backing up into the vacuum area under the diaphragm when fluid flow is stopped, a check valve is interposed between the Venturi and the diaphragm. The check valve includes a ball having a lower density than the fluid which cooperates with a valve seat in the passageway leading to the diaphragm.

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Melrose Park, IL, United States of America

Lui M Lee