General Equipment and Manufacturing Company, Inc.

Flow International Corporation

General Equipment and Manufacturing Company, Inc., D/b/a Topworx, Inc..

Robert Lynn LaFountain

Michael John Simmons

Gregory Curtis Merrifield

Bruce S Rigsby

Bruce Robert Penning

Jingli Li

Brian Phillip Pate

Scott Carpenter

Joel Pearce

Xueguang Bi

Anthony Wayne Klosterman

Brian Hampton

Robert A Carman

James McDill

Electrical switch contact sets are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a movable platform having first and second contacts, where the first and second contacts electrically coupled via the movable platform, and a stationary portion having third and fourth contacts, where the movable platform is movable to bring the first and second contacts in contact with the third and fourth contacts, respectively, to simultaneously close a current path of an electrical circuit associated with the first, second, third and fourth contacts.

Electrical switch contact sets

A switch assembly for adapting a non-contact switch into a contact triggered switch, such that the internal electrical state of the non-contact switch can be triggered by mechanical contact with an object or surface. The switch assembly can include an adapter body coupled to the non-contact switch and an actuation body coupled to the adapter body. The actuation body can be movable relative to the adapter body to selectively position a target supported by the actuation body within a sensing region of the non-contact switch. The actuation body can be moved by an external object making contact with a portion of the actuation body.

Switch actuator adapter

A magnet reed switch assembly. The magnetic reed switch assembly includes a reed switch having a body and a pair of electrical contacts disposed in the body. A ring magnet has a bore, and a portion of the body of the reed switch is disposed within the bore, with the ring magnet positioned close to the pair of electrical contacts. The ring magnet is movable along the axis of the body between a first position and a second position. A plunger includes a proximal end coupled to the ring magnet and a distal end having a sensing magnet. When a ferrous target is disposed near the sensing magnet, the plunger moves toward the ferrous target causing the ring magnet to move from the first position to the second position, and the reed switch to move from an open state to a closed state.

Magnetic reed switch assembly and method

High temperature switch apparatus are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a ceramic contact base having an opening therein configured to removably receive a contact, a first ceramic plunger housing portion and a second ceramic plunger housing portion, the first ceramic plunger housing portion including a first protrusion, the second ceramic plunger housing portion including a first recess, the first recess to receive the first protrusion, and a first ceramic contact housing portion and a second ceramic contact housing portion, the first ceramic contact housing portion including a second protrusion and a first cavity, the second ceramic contact housing portion including a second recess and a second cavity, the first ceramic plunger housing portion, the second ceramic plunger housing portion, and the ceramic contact base configured to be coupled in between the first and second cavities when the second recess receives the second protrusion.

High temperature switch apparatus

A valve signature diagnosis and leak testing device includes a spool valve operatively connected to a pilot valve, the pilot valve being configured to position the spool valve to one of an open position and a closed position. A blocker valve is fluidly connected to a control fluid outlet of the spool valve. An electrical module is operatively connected to the pilot valve, a supply of control fluid, and the blocker valve, the electrical module being capable of sending pulsed electrical signals to the pilot valve and the blocker valve to selectively position the spool valve and the blocker valve to an open or closed position.

Valve signature diagnosis and leak test device

A switch adapter can include a base having one or more openings, a support coupled to the base, and one or more retainers for coupling a switch to the adapter. The support can have one or more openings between its interior and exterior. The retainer can be adapted to couple to at least one of the base, the support, and a combination thereof. The switch adapter can include one or more switches, such as a replacement switch, and can be adapted for replacing a limit switch with a proximity switch. A proximity switch can be coupled to a switch adapter in one or more positions, and a switch adapter can be adapted to couple with a plurality of different switch mounts. A switch adapter can include a mass compensator for adjusting its center of gravity.

Switch adapter

Proximity switches include a hermetically sealed unit that can be used in harsh environments and under significant pressures, such as underwater and in nuclear power facilities, without having any parts that would require replacement or periodic maintenance. The proximity switches are preferably switches actuated by physical movement of a contact in response to changing magnetic forces. The switches are preferably disposed in a body tube optionally including a hermetic seal assembly to seal an open end of the body tube and/or a ferrule that prevents electrical wires attached to the switch inside the body tube from being pulled away from the switch. Further, the switches preferably maintain a contact pressure between electrical contacts sufficient to withstand acceleration seismic testing of 10 g with no contact discontinuity.

Double pole-double throw proximity switch

A method of non-rotatably securing a target to a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis within an enclosed proximity switch assembly is described. The target support at least one target magnet and a hub having a body portion extending along the longitudinal axis. The body portion includes an outer surface and a shaft aperture extending along the longitudinal axis, and further includes at least one threaded body aperture extending from the outer surface to the shaft aperture. The shaft is inserted into the shaft aperture, and a set screw is inserted into one of the body apertures. A torque is applied to the set screw to threadably engage the set screw with the one of the body apertures such that a distal end of the set screw contacts an outer surface of the shaft. The set screw is sealed within the body aperture with a high-temperature potting.

Method of manufacturing an enclosed proximity switch assembly

A target detection assembly includes a detection member adapted to generate a first input signal, and an emulator module is removably secured to the detection member. The emulator module includes an emulator housing assembly removably secured to the detection member and a selection portion is disposed on the emulator housing assembly. The selection portion is configured to be oriented in a first and second selection mode. In the first selection mode, a first emulation circuit disposed within the emulator housing assembly receives the first input signal, processes the first input signal, and outputs a first output signal that is different than the first input signal. In the second selection mode, a second emulation circuit disposed within the emulator housing assembly receives the first input signal, processes the first input signal, and outputs a second output signal that is different than the first input signal and the first output signal.

Configurable switch emulator module

Actuation apparatus for use with magnetically-triggered proximity switches are described herein. An example apparatus includes an actuator shaft having a first segment and a second segment, the first segment intersecting the second segment. The first segment defines a first end of the actuator shaft, and the second segment defines a second end of the actuator shaft opposite the first end. The second segment further defines a slot. The apparatus further includes a detector magnet assembly coupled to the first segment of the actuator shaft adjacent the first end. The apparatus further includes a switch arm coupled to the second segment of the actuator shaft. The switch arm includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a portion located between the first and second ends of the switch arm. The portion of the switch arm is positioned in the slot of the actuator shaft.

Actuation apparatus for magnetically-triggered proximity switches

A valve controller assembly includes a first switch that generates a first input signal based on an operational parameter of a control valve, and a docking assembly is communicatively coupled to the first switch. A switching module is removably secured to and communicatively coupled to the docking assembly such that the first switch is communicatively coupled to the switching module when the switching module is secured to the docking member. The switching module includes a first emulation circuit adapted to receive the first input signal, process the first input signal, and output a first output signal that is different than the first input signal.

Switching module for a valve controller

Magnetic switches are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a mount and a switch actuator assembly coupled to the mount. The switch actuator assembly includes a body, a trigger, and a first magnet oriented to be attracted to a second magnet. Movement of the body from a first position to a second position is to cause relative movement between the first magnet and the second magnet and relative movement between the trigger and a switch.

Growing community of inventors

Charlestown, IN, United States of America

Robert Lynn LaFountain