Predator Systems, Inc.

Other

Stephen I Kaylor

Gordon Yowell

Duane H Samuelson

Alvin Seymour Blum

Jun Chen

David H Gorman

Thomas B Richartz

James A Gayoso

A target flow meter has a target with a broad face attached to the free end of a rigid stalk. A fixed end of the stalk is attached to a rigid support secured in the system to be measured with the broad face of the target disposed transverse to the fluid flow. The support and the stalk may be made in one piece. Recesses in the support at the junction with the stalk, one upstream, and one downstream of the flow may reduce the thickness of the support so that bending of the support in response to flow forces is concentrated at the recesses. Strain gauges are attached to the support at the recess areas to measure target movement. The support is sealed to the fluid chamber with the gauges outside the fluid chamber. The recesses in the support may be on the fluid side or the outside of the support.

Target flow meters

A liquid level indicator apparatus provides direct readout of liquid level at high resolution using an array of vertically disposed Hall-effect magnetic switches. To overcome the limit to closer spacing of the switches imposed by their vertical dimension, they a disposed side by side horizontally and vertically by a distance less than the vertical dimension of each switch. They are mounted on a flat flexible substrate and then bent around into a hollow cylinder or prism shape. A floating magnet of annular shape surrounds the cylinder, or a magnet corresponding to the cylindrical or prismatic shape floats inside the surrounding circuit board. Several circuits are shown for displaying a liquid level readout resulting from the actuation of the switches by the magnet.

Hall-effect fine resolution liquid level indicator

A velocity fuse for a hydraulic line shuts off fluid flow when the flow rate exceeds a preset flow value. The shut off value may be adjusted while the fuse is mounted in the hydraulic circuit. A damping mechanism of the dash pot type prevents the fuse from responding to flow surges of short duration. A poppet or piston within a tubular housing reciprocates between an open position held by a spring and a closed position when flow through an adjustable aperture causes a great enough pressure drop to overcome the spring bias. The damping mechanism is unaffected by the flow rate setting.

Hydraulic line adjustable velocity fuse with damping

Sensors for mounting in fluid chambers respond electrically to low pressures in the fluid, while resisting damage or leakage at high pressures. A flexible diaphragm, mounted at one end of a housing, is sandwiched between first and second annuli, leaving a center portion free to move in response to fluid pressure changes. The diaphragm moves a cylinder, which reciprocates in the second annulus against an adjustable spring bias. Travel of the cylinder away from the fluid is limited by a stop. Once the stop is reached, increased pressure on the diaphragm forces it against a fixed wall composed of a face of the second annulus and a face of the cylinder. The forces on the diaphragm are then all compressive. This enables the use of an easily flexed diaphragm for low pressure sensitivity, while resisting damage from high pressures. The moving cylinder is used to move a magnet that actuates a Hall effect switch, a Hall effect analog output transducer, or a reed switch. In alternative embodiments, the cylinder actuates a mechanical switch or variable resistor.

High pressure resistant, low pressure actuating sensors

A target flow meter has a target with a broad face attached to the free end of an elastic stalk. The stalk has at least a portion with an oblong cross section. A fixed end of the stalk is attached to a rigid support secured in the system to be measured with the broad face disposed transverse to the fluid flow. Strain gauges are affixed to the longer sides of the oblong portion. A temperature sensor may also be affixed there. The strain gauges are immersed in the fluid to be measured. Wires to the gauges and sensor pass through a fixed seal to the outside. They may be protected from the fluid by an impervious coating. By applying the strain gauges within the fluid, the system may be reduced in size, achieve greater sensitivity, and better temperature compensation.

Target flow meters with immersed strain gauges

A valve assembly senses the cumulative volume of hydraulic fluid that has passed to an actuator and senses and subtracts from that cumulative volume the volume of return fluid that has passed from the actuator. When the difference between the volumes exceeds a preset value, the system shuts off the flow to the actuator to prevent further loss of fluid from a leak. The assembly may employ separate sensors in separate pressure and return lines or a common line with a common sensor which reverses signal polarity when flow reverses. Target flowmeters with signal adding and subtracting circuits may provide the differential volume information.

Differential volume sensing hydraulic control

A control system for an electromagnetic device prevents overheating of the coils to permit optimizing design parameters without the need for excessive safety factors. A pull coil circuit feeds a high current to pull windings for a preset time interval after receipt of an initiating voltage. A hold coil circuit feeds a holding current to holding windings with a reduced flux after receipt of an initiating voltage only if it exceeds a preset voltage threshold. The hold current is cut off when the initiating voltage falls below a preset threshold. The pull coil circuit is rendered inoperative for a preset time interval after current is discontinued to ensure adequate cooling between operations.

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Pompano Beach, FL, United States of America

Stephen I Kaylor