General Electric Company

Ronald L Hilty

Dann W Denny

Stanley J Budlane

William P Kornrumpf

Lee O Woods

Donald H Stoll

Paige W Thompson

Stewart A Woodward

A device for sensing pressure at a source thereof comprising a housing with a fluid pressure responsive diaphragm movable therein for defining therewith an expansible chamber for communication with the source of pressure the magnitude of which is to be sensed, and a transducer. The transducer includes a body of magnetoelastic material of generally annular form positioned within the housing and having magnetic properties which vary as a function of the stress to which the body is subjected in response to movement of the diaphragm. Electrical circuitry responds to stress-induced changes in the magnetic properties to produce an electrical signal having a value which is a function of the magnitude of the fluid pressure. The device includes an actuator, which is movable with the diaphragm, for accepting and retaining a sector of the annular body and a cradle generally fixed in relation to the housing for accepting and retaining a diametrically opposite sector of the annular body. An increase in the fluid pressure in the expansible chamber tends to compress the annular body between the actuator and the cradle. A smart pressure switch including logic circuitry and the pressure sensing device, air conditioning systems incorporating such sensing and control devices, and methods of sensing pressure and controlling the operation of air conditioning systems are also described.

Pressure sensing devices and methods, control devices and methods of

A transducer for establishing an output voltage proportional to an input fluid pressure supplied thereto. The transducer has a resistor with a voltage selector movable in electrical contacting engagement therewith to establish the output voltage. A piston actuates the voltage selector to its electrical contacting engagement with the resistor to establish the output voltage in response to the input fluid pressure acting on a diaphragm arranged in driving engagement with the piston.

Transducer

A defrost control device has camming means for rotational movement and gear train means operable generally in a pair of preselected speed modes for effecting the rotational movement of the camming means. Means actuated by the camming means during a part of the rotational movement thereof toward a displaced position is adapted for translating the gear train means from one of the preselected speed modes to the other of the preselected speed modes thereof. Means is selectively operable upon the occurrence of a preselected condition for releasably maintaining the translating means in the displaced position thereof to effect the operation of the gear train means in its other preselected speed mode. A method of operating a defrost control device is also disclosed.

Defrost control device and method of operating such

A mounting device for a pivotally movable member. The mounting device has means for pivotally mounting the member, means for supporting the mounting means, and a pair of means for abutment with the mounting means so as to generally constrain its movement therebetween. Means for displacement preventing engagement with the mounting means includes means disposed generally in overlaying relation with the mounting means for retaining it against displacement from the supporting means between the abutment means, and means extending through the supporting means into engagement with a portion thereof for maintaining the overlaying relation of the retaining means with respect to the mounting means.

Mounting device

A condition responsive electrical switch is provided with a housing, and means is movable in the housing between opposite positions for controlling the flow of power through the switch. Means is pivotally movable in the housing for effecting actuation of the controlling means between its opposite positions, and means is operable generally in response to a certain condition for driving the actuation means to pivot it and conjointly move the controlling means toward one of its opposite positions. Means is selectively operable for biasing the actuation means against the driving means to also pivot the actuation means and effect conjoint movement of the controlling means toward the other of its opposite positions. A method of operating a condition responsive electrical switch and a control system are also disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Morrison, IL, United States of America

Ronald L Hilty