U.S. patent number 3,918,037 [Application Number 05/474,096] was granted by the patent office on 1975-11-04 for audio load indicator.
Invention is credited to Thomas R. Hall.
United States Patent |
3,918,037 |
Hall |
November 4, 1975 |
Audio load indicator
Abstract
The load indicator hereof, comprises a device useful in
conjunction with pressure operated mechanism which device includes
means to respond to the pressures developed in said mechanism by
completing an electrical circuit with contacts under the influence
of a diaphragm, which is acted on by pressure developed in the
mechanism, different signals being provided by a contact unit for
different conditions encountered, and means to prevent signal
operation when conditions desirably require that none be given.
Inventors: |
Hall; Thomas R. (Menlo Park,
CA) |
Family
ID: |
26973887 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/474,096 |
Filed: |
May 28, 1974 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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304210 |
Nov 6, 1972 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
340/626; 340/685;
212/278 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01G
19/16 (20130101); H01H 35/34 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G01G
19/16 (20060101); H01H 35/24 (20060101); H01H
35/34 (20060101); G01G 19/00 (20060101); G08B
021/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;340/267C,272
;200/83W,83S ;212/39B,39R |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Swann, III; Glen R.
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation in part of application Ser. No.
304,210 filed Nov. 6, 1972, now abandoned.
Claims
I claim:
1. In pressure operated mechanism, in combination, a pressure
responsive device including a signal member and means in the device
connected to and operable by the pressure operated mechanism for
actuating movement in response to operating pressure changes
therein, the movement aforesaid in turn operating the signal member
to provide a warning when a predetermined increase in operating
pressure takes place in the mechanism, said device comprising a
housing, a load cell comprising a diaphragm to which the operating
pressure is directed, the device further comprising a contact unit
actuated by the diaphragm, and in alignment therewith for actuation
by said diaphragm, a power source and circuitry connecting the
contact unit, signal member and power source for operating the
signal member for warning as stated, the pressure operated
mechanism further comprising hydraulic piston and cylinder
instrumentalities connected to lifting means, said
instrumentalities including pilot compensating means operable to
facilitate return movement of the instrumentalities to initial
position, the pressure responsive device including a load cell
connected to the piston and cylinder instrumentalities, and a
contact unit having means to complete a circuit to produce a signal
by the signal member when the predetermined operating pressure is
reached, said unit having means to prevent signal operation during
the return movement aforesaid.
2. Mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein the contact unit
comprises a contact support member and a contact part carried
thereby, said load cell being adjacent the contact unit, said cell
including a diaphragm, the contact element is operable by the
diaphragm to engage the contact part to complete the circuit as
stated, and the support adjusting unit coacts with the support
member responsive to increased pressure in he compensating means to
move the support member and contact part out of position to
complete the said circuit.
3. Mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pressure responsive
mechansim comprises hydraulic piston and cylinder instrumentalities
connected to lifting means, the pressure responsive device includes
a load cell having a diaphragm therein to which the pressure in the
instrumentalities is directed to operate the diaphragm in response
to changes in pressure in the piston and cylinder
instrumentalities, said diaphragm being arranged to operate a
contact element to engage a first contact part in the device, the
signal member on the device being actuated when the contact part
and element are in engagement in consequence of a predetermined
pressure in the instrumentalities, the contact element is arranged
to engage a second contact part in the device at a different
pressure from the first contact part to produce distinct signals in
response to different pressures in the piston and cylinder
instrumentalities, the piston and cylinder instrumentalities
include pilot compensating means operable to facilitate the return
movement of the instrumentalities to initial position, and the
pressure responsive device includes means connected to the
compensating means to vary the position of the contact parts to
prevent actuation of the signal member during the return movement
aforesaid.
Description
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is a principal object of this invention to provide an indicator
which, by audible signal, will indicate the status of a load
condition existing in pressure operated mechanism, since a pressure
responsive device is availed of which includes therein certain
contacts for electrical operation of a signal, all the same being
incorporated in a small unit which is attachable to known and
presently used devices as well as those contemplated for future
applications.
A further object of the invention is to provide a pressure
responsive device which includes a signal and means in the device
connected to and operable by the mechanism for actuating movement,
the movement operating the signal member to provide a warning when
predetermined operating pressure is reached in the mechanism to
which the device is attached, or in which the same is
incorporated.
Another object of the invention is to provide a device which may be
incorporated in a small unitary housing, in which a load cell is
provided, this load cell including a diaphragm to which the
operating pressure in the basic mechanism is directed, the
diaphragm in turn actuating a contact unit which, together with a
power source and circuitry, in turn operates a signal for audible
indication that certain pressure conditions in the mechanism have
been or are being exceeded.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a contact
unit in which a circuit may be completed at different times so as
to provide two different signals at least for two different
conditions being encountered, or to provide a first signal as an
initial indication of conditions existing, followed by a second
signal when a dangerous condition exists, all under the control of
the pressure developed in the pressure operated mechanism.
Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of the
class described, in which the different signals may be provided by
completion of the circuit in which the conditions encountered are
different as by those encountered in the tipping operation for
example, where a boom is being raised and lowered by pressure
operated mechanism, and in addition a load condition of the boom
may be indicated as having been exceeded under other positions
thereof.
Another object of the invention is to incorporate a pressure
responsive device in a pressure operated mechanism and system
related thereto of the hydraulic piston and cylinder type, wherein
pilot compensating means are supplied to assist in lowering the
piston and cylinder instrumentalities or returning the same to
their initial condition since it is required by safety
considerations that a check valve be supplied for use in the
extending or load lifting operation of a piston and cylinder unit
and yet the same must be returned to its initial condition,
additional pressure being required and no signals being desired to
be given.
Other and further objects of the invention will be understood from
a consideration of the specification appended hereto and disclosed
in the drawing wherein:
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view, showing a pressure
operated mechanism of the boom type which is mounted for rotation
and in which the boom may be raised and lowered by hydraulic piston
and cylinder instrumentalities, and in which the device hereof is
incorporated.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view, showing generally the
relationship of the device hereof in the system disclosed in FIG.
1.
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view, incorporating in a
diagrammatic manner the specific mechanism hereof with a general
mechanism which the same is desired to be associated with, and the
general method of operation and relationship of parts being
illustrated.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a form of check valve used in this
construction.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to FIG. 1 initially, the pressure operated mechanism
of this invention is shown as being incorporated in a boom unit in
which a boom designated 1 is pivotally mounted at 2 on a turret 3,
which turret 3 is in turn supported on a base 4 for rotation
thereabout.
The boom 1 may be generally classified as a lifting means and
certain hydraulic piston and cylinder instrumentalities generally
designated 5, including the cylinder unit 6 thereof and the piston
7 mounted therewithin for reciprocation back and forth, the lower
end of the cylinder 6 being pivotally mounted at 8 and the upper
end at 9 on the boom 1.
It will therefore be understood that by introducing fluid suitably
in the lower end of the cylinder 6, the piston rod 7 may be
extended to raise the boom 1 about the pivot 2.
Suitable hydraulic motor and storage instrumentalities indicated at
10 are provided to supply the piston and cylinder unit 5 with fluid
as may be required to effect the operation of the lifting means so
called.
Since it is desired by the present invention to provide a warning
means which will be actuated when the lifting means capacity may be
exceeded or when the direction of lifting is improper so that
tipping of the same might result, the mechanism shown in FIG. 2 is
applied to the disclosure.
In FIG. 2, the pressure responsive device of this invention is
generally designated at 12, suitably connected by piping such as 13
to a distribution member 14 which in turn facilitates the directing
of hydraulic fluid from the pump unit 10 for example through the
device 12 by the pipe 13, a pilot compensating connection at 15
being provided and connected to a pipe 16 extending to the outer
end of the cylinder 6 as indicated in FIG. 1 at 17.
With the foregoing general understanding of the location of the
device, FIG. 3 is referred to at this point for the specific
description of the parts thereof and the system in which the same
may be incorporated, with the basic piston and cylinder unit 5
being indicated in diagrammatic manner as incorporating the piston
and rod 7 therein mounted in a cylinder 6 as previously described,
the pump and storage portion of this hydraulic operated device
being indicated at 10 likewise in fragmentary manner.
The specific device hereof includes, as indicated in the sectional
portion of FIG. 3, a housing 18 which for the sake of this
description may be a metal die casting having a hollow interior in
which certain of the parts hereof are mounted as will be more
particularly set forth hereinafter.
On one surface, or in one side of the housing 18 is a load cell
denoted 19 which is mounted in a boss 20 formed integrally with the
housing 18 as by the threaded portion 21 on the cell 19, which is
threadedly engaged with mating threads in the boss 20 as shown.
The threads 21 are formed on a vertical member 22 which is in turn
provided with threads 23 interiorly thereof to receive a connection
member 24 likewise threaded exteriorly thereof, and having the
lower surface 25 thereon adapted to position a diaphragm 26 which
is of flexible sealing nature having the peripheral enlargement 27
therearound engaged by the surface 25 so as to position the same
against an inner surface 28, the diaphragm having a pin 29
extending downwardly therefrom through an opening 30 formed in the
part 19 at the center of a cavity 31.
A suitable opening 32 is formed in the part 24 and threads 33 are
provided therewithin for connection of the same in a manner to be
more specifically described hereinafter.
It will therefore be seen that the load cell now having been
heretofore described is one which incorporates therewithin the
diaphragm 26 and by connection with the pressure from the line 13
which is in the system extending to the hydraulic piston and
cylinder unit or instrumentalities 5, will obviously receive the
same amount of pressure thereon as is necessary to move the piston
and rod 7 in the instrumentalities 5.
The load cell now having been described and indicated at 19, is
arranged to cooperate with a contact unit including a contact
element 35 which is a spring-like element mounted in a cavity 36
formed in the boss 20 previously mentioned, so that the pin 29 of
the diaphragm 26 may impinge thereagainst and as viewed in the
figure against the upper surface thereof so as to force the same to
bend downwardly somewhat as pressure is applied through the opening
32 for that purpose.
This contact element 35 is arranged to coact with the first contact
part 37 which is mounted by threaded engagement with a spring 38,
the spring 38 in turn being connected at one end at 39 to a contact
part support member 40 which is itself an insulated member and
generally speaking may be described as an elongated flat strip,
which is suitably fastened by fastenings such as 41 to the housing
18 and is intended to lie at about the angle or a similar angle to
that illustrated in the disclosure, for purposes which will appear
hereinafter.
A second contact part 42, mounted in spring 43 substantially
identical to the spring 38, previously mentioned, and alongside of
the spring 38 is similarly fastened alongside the fastening 39
illustrated.
It will therefore be understood that by suitable manipulation of
the contact parts 37 and 42 as by inserting a screw-driver in the
slots 37a and 42a respectively, adjustment of the ends of the
respective parts with respect to the contact element 35 may be
accomplished.
It should be noted that the spring 43 is shown in an exaggeratedly
different position from the spring 38 for illustrative purposes
only and will generally lie directly alongside of and be at all
times parallel to the spring 38, although the contact parts 37 and
42 themselves may be relatively differently adjusted with respect
to the contact element 35.
The contact part support member 40 previously mentioned, extends as
indicated and includes at its outer end an opening 44 to which a
support adjusting unit part is directed, the support adjusting part
being designated 45 and comprising a headed bolt with a piston-like
head 46 thereon, and the other end of the bolt 45 being threaded at
47 so as to receive a nut 48 thereon for adjustment purposes as
will appear.
The piston-like head 46 is arranged for movement in a cylindrical
section 48, there being a spring 49 and a seal 50 arranged as
indicated, with the head 46 at the lower end of a threaded opening
51 to which the pressure line 15 is connected, this being generally
designated as a support adjusting unit so that the aspect of the
contact part support member 40 may be varied as suggested by the
dotted line 53.
It will also be understood that by application of pressure on the
head 46, acting as a sort of piston-like arrangement, the spring 49
will be compressed and the contact part support member 40 will move
downwardly about the mounting screw 41 in a manner and according to
the description of the operation of the device that will be set
forth subsequently.
Referring now again to the first contact part 37, the same is in
turn connected to the negative terminal of a horn or signal member
55 by wire 37b.
The second contact part 42 is connected by a wire 42b to the
negative terminal of the horn signal member 55 likewise, but in
this case a resistor 56 is interposed, the entire system being
supplied with suitable power by means of three small batteries
generally denoted at 57 wherein the positive terminal 58 thereof is
connected to the signal member 55 and the negative terminal 59 is
grounded to the housing 18, completing a circuit with the contact
element 36 as will be set forth shortly.
Inasmuch as a check valve is necessarily required in the hydraulic
system involving the piston and cylinder unit 5, such check valve
being denoted at 60, it is appropriate to describe the check valve
as one which is arranged to prevent inadvertent lowering of the
boom by the hydraulic piston and cylinder unit 7.
In other words, when the lifting means, including the boom 1 is
operated initially for example to raise the same to the position of
FIG. 1, the check valve 60, specifically the valve member 60a
therein, will prevent the boom 1 from moving back to its initial
position irrespective of the release of the control therefor, the
controls being suggested as mounted in a control panel at 61
involving levers such as 62, 63 and 64 perhaps.
In order to overcome the action of the check valve and to permit
return of the piston and cylinder unit to its initial position, the
pilot compensating means including the check valve 60 being part of
that means and the line 16 being directed to the upper part of the
piston cylinder unit. By suitable application of fluid pressure to
that line, which fluid pressure will in turn be transferred to the
top of the piston and thereby move the same downwardly and the
check valve 60 will be actuated by the fluid beneath the piston,
unseating the ball 65 therein, in the check valve to permit fluid
to flow through the valve causing the lowering operation to take
place, and thus be completely controlled by the operator against
inadvertent dropping of any load.
Since one of the basic objects of this invention is to signal when
loads are either too great or approaching a condition in which they
are too great, or that a tipping condition of the mechanism in
which the same is incorporated, the method of operation of the
device is now described as one in which the initial pressure to the
lifting means 1 by the piston and cylinder instrumentalities 5 may
be applied as for example by a lever 63 from the source of
hydraulic fluid under pressure at 10, being directed through the
line 13 to the pressure responsive device, and specifically to the
load cell 19 therein.
Since this pressure through the line 13 will act on the diaphragm
26, it will therefore be apparent that when the load may become too
great upon the lifting means, requiring that the pressure in line
13 is greater than a predetermined value, the diaphragm 26 will be
deflected downwardly, carrying the pin 29 therewith and in turn
operating the contact element 35. If the overload or load pressure
is great enough, the contact element 35 will cause a completing of
a circuit with the contact part 37 for example, and by means of
this contact part carry through the circuit involving the line 37b
and sound the signal member 55 accordingly. The operator is thus
warned of the probable overload and should immediately take steps
to counteract potential damage.
The device is arranged in such a manner that if the condition
continues to exist and further load is imposed on the lifting
means, further deflection of the contact element 35 will take
place, and the second contact part 42 will complete another circuit
through the line 42b, and to the resistor 56, and by reason of the
resistor 56 sound a different tone in the signal member 55.
Thus, the operator is warned of a condition existing and can take
the necessary steps to alleviate the same.
Since the construction of the lifting mechanism is such as to
require that additional pressure be applied through a pilot
compensating line 16 to overcome the resistance of the check valve
60 to normal return of fluid through the lines to the pump and
storage tank 10, the application of such additional pressure to the
line 16 for the purposes of returning the lifting means to its
original position would normally cause additional signalling to
take place, or a signal to be sounded irrespective of whether an
overload was being imposed on the equipment.
Since it is not desired to have the signal sound when the device is
returning to initial position, it is contemplated that the contact
part support member as adjusted in such a manner as to move he
contact parts 37 and 42 sufficiently far away from the contact
element 35 that no circuit will be completed.
Thus application of the additional pressure through the line 16
will in turn pass through the line 15 to the support adjusting unit
previously described in detail as including the piston-like head
46, pushing the same downwardly, compressing the spring 49 and
carrying the contact part support member 40 downwardly and the
contact parts 37 and 42 therewith.
When the lifting means have returned to the initial condition or
pressure is removed from the pilot compensating line 16, the
contact part support member 40 will return to its normal attitude
and support the contact parts 37 and 42 in the desired pre-adjusted
position, which adjustment will provide for various loads as will
be readily apparent in accordance with the deflection of the
contact element 35.
Since it may be desired to provide an indication of a tipping
action of the entire machine, the part of FIG. 3 including the top
view of the boom 1 mounted on the turret and base 4, discloses a
mounting tube such as 68 which may rotate for example with the boom
of the lifting means and with the provision of segments or cam-like
members 69 thereon, causing the segments 69 to move therewith and
if the dotted line position 70 of FIG. 3 is reached for example,
the cam 69 will coact with a micro switch 71 which is designated as
a means to complete a second circuit, and close such second circuit
through the lines 72 and 73 to complete connection of the line 42b
with the line in which the resistor 56 is located thereby
by-passing the resistor. Thus, when the load is impressed on the
lifting means 1, in the dotted line position 70 for example, which
load is exceeding that desired since the circuit is completed, the
horn or signal member 55 will sound by reason of the completing of
the circuit through the contact element 35 and contact part 42.
It is thus noted that both an overload in a tipping position and a
normally impressed overload so to speak in the straight-ahead
position are both accommodated for and signalling given in response
thereto.
* * * * *