Gas pressure sensor and indicator apparatus for recreational vehicles and the like

Abstract

A remote sensing and indicating apparatus for a conventional two-stage changeover gas regulator having a mechanical full/empty indicator and at least one inlet for receiving gas from at least one gas storage container. The apparatus includes a housing, retrofittable to the regulator, for accommodating a sensor. The sensor converts the mechanical movement of a pressure sensitive diaphragm and an indicating member biased thereagainst, of the full/empty indicator, into an electrical signal indicative of the “full/empty” status of the supply container. Within the housing, the sensing apparatus includes a plunger movably arranged therein, and biased against the indicating member such that the plunger is collectively movable with the indicating member and diaphragm in response to a change in gas pressure. At least a portion of the plunger is a magnetic material, while the switching element is responsive to the magnetic field generated by the plunger such that the movement of the plunger controls the conducting state of the switching element for generating an output signal indicative of the gas pressure sensed by the diaphragm. When the supply gas container is at or near empty (i.e., the sensed gas pressure is low), the sensor transmits an output signal to an indicator, such as a lighting element, to notify the user that a changeover to a reserve gas container has occurred and that the initially selected supply container requires refilling.