| 1. | An apparatus (10) for sensing the pressure of a fluid in a vessel (50), comprising: a sensor body (12) adapted to be mounted with respect to the vessel (50) containing the fluid under pressure, said sensor body (12) comprising a first end portion (14), a second end portion (16), and a cavity (18) disposed therebetween; a pressure transducer (20) installed within said sensor body cavity (18) and connected to the first end portion (14), said pressure transducer (20) adapted to produce a pressure signal; an electrical connector (24) electrically connected to said pressure transducer (20), said electrical connector (24) adapted to communicate said pressure signal to a signal receiving device; and a valve actuating component (26) connected to the first end portion (14), said valve actuating component (26) adapted to actuate a valve (27) connected to the vessel (50) when said sensor body (12) is mounted with respect to the vessel (50). |
| 2. | An apparatus (10) as recited in claim 1, wherein said valve actuating component (26) comprises a protrusion integrally connected to the sensor body (12) first end portion (14). |
| 3. | An apparatus (10) as recited in claim 1, including a fluid flow cavity (34) located proximal said first end portion (14), said fluid flow cavity (34) adapted to permit the fluid under pressure to flow to said pressure transducer (20) after said valve actuating component (26) has actuated the valve (27). |
| 4. | An apparatus (10) as recited in claim 3, wherein said valve actuating component (26) is installed within said fluid flow aperture (34), such that said fluid flow aperture (34) circumscribes said valve actuating component (26). |
| 5. | An apparatus (10) as recited in claim 1, including a first coupler (30) disposed proximal the first end portion (14), said first coupler (30) adapted to connect to a valve coupler (32). |
| 6. | An apparatus (10) for sensing the pressure of a fluid in a vessel (50), comprising: a sensor body (12) adapted to be mounted with respect to the vessel (50) containing the fluid under pressure, said sensor body (12) comprising a first end portion (14), a second end portion (16), and a cavity (18) disposed therebetween, said sensor body (12) including a first coupler (30) disposed proximal the first end portion (14); a pressure transducer (20) installed within said sensor body cavity (18) and connected to the first end portion (14), said pressure transducer (20) adapted to produce a pressure signal; an electrical connector (24) electrically connected to said pressure transducer (20), said electrical connector (24) adapted to communicate said pressure signal to a signal receiving device; a valve actuating component (26) disposed proximal the first end portion (14), said valve actuating component (26) adapted to actuate a valve (27) connected to the vessel (50) when said sensor body (12) is mounted with respect to the vessel (50), said first coupler (30) adapted to connect to a valve coupler (32); and a fluid flow aperture (34) located proximal said first end portion (14), said fluid flow aperture (34) adapted to permit the fluid under pressure to flow to said pressure transducer (20) after said valve actuating component (26) has actuated the valve (27). |
| 7. | An apparatus (10) as recited in claim 6, wherein said valve actuating component (26) comprises a protrusion integrally connected to the sensor body (12) first end portion (14). |
| 8. | An apparatus (10) as recited in claim 6, wherein said valve actuating component (26) is installed within said fluid flow aperture (34), such that said fluid flow aperture (34) circumscribes said valve actuating component (26). |
Background Art In many control applications, it is often necessary to sense the pressure of a fluid. Some applications require installation of a pressure sensor in harsh environments in which the sensor might be exposed to debris or other material that could damage the sensor or prevent it from operating. For example, checking the pressure of fuel between the fuel pump and the filter; or checking the pressure of air in an air plenum; or checking the pressure of fluid at the outlet of the water jacket. One such application is that of marine engines wherein a pressure sensor is used to measure the oil pressure between the oil pump and the oil filter on the marine engine. However, if the pressure transducer within the pressure sensor fails, it is a labor intensive operation to replace the pressure transducer while fluid is still present.
Some systems allow for removal of the pressure transducer while fluid is present by utilizing a ball valve located between the fluid vessel and the pressure sensor. The ball valve is typically made up of a valve housing, a ball, and a switch. The valve housing includes a bore along its center axis and the ball is contained within the bore. A channel along
the center axis of the ball defines an open passage for fluid flow through the ball. The switch, which is located on the external portion of the valve housing, is adapted to rotate the ball when the switch is manually moved. Fluid thereby flows through the valve when the bore or channel in the ball is rotated to be in alignment with the bore and the housing. When the ball is rotated such that both ends of the ball bore are facing an interior wall of the housing, fluid flow is prevented. In this manner, the switch is used to manually open and close the ball valve. In circumstances where the engine is located in an unmanned area, such as the hull of a large vessel, forgetting to open the valve after the transducer has been reinstalled could go unnoticed. For these and other reasons, it would be desirable to have a reliable, serviceable pressure sensor. It would also be preferable to have a replaceable pressure sensor that overcomes the drawbacks and disadvantages associated with prior art pressure sensor systems.
Summarv of the Invention In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for sensing the pressure of a fluid in a vessel is provided. The apparatus includes a sensor body adapted to be mounted with respect to the vessel containing the fluid under pressure, the sensor body having first and second end portions. The apparatus includes a pressure transducer disposed within the sensor body, wherein the pressure transducer is adapted to produce a pressure signal. An electrical connector is electrically connected to the pressure transducer, the electrical connector adapted to communicate the pressure signal to a signal receiving
device. A valve actuating component is disposed proximal a first end portion of the sensor body, the valve actuating component including a protrusion adapted to actuate a valve when the sensor body is mounted with respect to the vessel.
Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the pressure sensor of the present invention connected to a valve; Figure 2 is a sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the first end portion of the pressure sensor of the present invention; Figure 3 is a sectional view of another alternate embodiment of the first end portion of the pressure sensor of the present invention; Figure 4 is a sectional view of yet another alternate embodiment of the first end portion of the pressure sensor of the present invention; Figure 5 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the pressure sensor of the present invention connected to a poppet valve; Figure 6 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the pressure sensor of the present invention connected to a ball check valve; and Figure 7 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the pressure sensor of the present invention connected to a Schraeder valve.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views. Referring first to Figure 1, a sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the pressure sensor 10 of
the present invention is shown connected to a valve 27. The pressure sensor 10 includes a sensor body or housing 12 adapted to be mounted with respect to the vessel 50 containing the fluid under pressure.
The sensor housing 12 includes a first end portion 14, a second end portion 16, and a cavity 18 disposed between the first end portion 14 and the second end portion 16. The pressure sensor 10 includes a condition responsive element 20, preferably in the form of a pressure transducer, installed within the sensor housing cavity 18, the pressure transducer 20 being connected proximal the sensor housing first end portion 14. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that any condition responsive pressure transducer or the like adapted to provide an initial electrical signal in response to the pressure of a fluid may be used in the pressure sensor 10 without departing from the scope of the present invention.
At least one electrical connector 24 is electrically connected to the pressure transducer 20 for connecting the pressure transducer 20 to an external circuit (not shown) such as an engine controller. The connector 24 has been illustrated as insulated copper wiring; however, the connector could also be embodied in electrical terminals without departing from the scope of the present invention. The second end portion 16 is sealed against moisture by a second electrical connector portion, which includes an elastomeric seal 38.
Referring to Figure 2, a sectional view showing an embodiment of the first end portion 14 of pressure sensor 10 is shown. First end portion 14 includes a first coupler 30, preferably in the form of
a threaded fitting, whereby the sensor housing first end portion 14 is adapted to connect to a correspondingly threaded valve coupler, as will be described in greater detail in connection with Figures 2-4 below. A valve actuating component 26 is disposed proximal the first end portion 14. Valve actuating component 26 is adapted to actuate a valve 27 (Figure 1) connected to the vessel 50 when the sensor 10 is mounted with respect to the valve 27, thereby opening a fluid path which allows fluid under pressure to flow from vessel 50 through valve 27. Removal of sensor 10 allows valve 27 to return to its closed position, thereby blocking the fluid path. In the preferred embodiment, valve 27 is a poppet valve (Figure 5).
However, it is contemplated that valve 27 may also be a Schraeder valve (Figure 7) or a ball check valve Figure 6), or any other type of non-return valve. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that valve 27 may be any non-return valve type which is capable of being actuated by a valve actuating component such as protrusion 26 without departing from the scope of the present invention. As seen in Figure 2, valve actuating component 26 comprises a protrusion integrally connected to the sensor housing first end portion 14. Fluid flow aperture 34 is adapted to permit the fluid under pressure to flow to the pressure transducer 20 after valve actuating component 26 has actuated valve 27.
Referring now to Figure 3, a sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the first end portion of the pressure sensor of the present invention is shown.
As seen in Figure 3, valve actuating component 26 is circumscribed by fluid flow aperture 34. In this embodiment, valve actuating component 26 is preferably
rectangular in cross section and is press fit into fluid flow aperture 34, which is preferably substantially annular, thereby creating a passage for fluid flow. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that valve actuating component 26 need not be fully circumscribed by fluid flow aperture 34. For example, it is contemplated that fluid flow aperture 34 may be in the form of a groove disposed along an outer surface of valve actuating component 26 and still fall within the scope of the present invention.
Furthermore, as seen in Figure 4, it is contemplated that fluid flow aperture 34 may be disposed within valve actuating component 26 and still fall within the scope of the present invention. In addition, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that valve actuating component 26 may be of any cross sectional shape which is capable of actuating valve 27 and which creates a passage for fluid flow, thereby permitting fluid to flow from vessel 50, through valve 27, and to pressure transducer 20, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
As described above, electrical connector 24 is electrically connected to the pressure transducer 20 for connecting the pressure transducer 20 to an external circuit (not shown) such as an engine controller.
Referring again to Figure 1, it is seen that in a preferred embodiment, pressure sensor 10 includes a second coupler 31, preferably in the form of a threaded fitting, disposed proximal first end portion 14. In addition, pressure transducer 20 includes a preferably threaded coupler 22 connected thereto, wherein pressure transducer coupler 22 is adapted to connect to second coupler 31, thereby connecting
pressure transducer 20 to sensor body first end portion 14. As described above, first end portion 14 includes a first coupler 30, preferably in the form of a threaded fitting. First coupler 30 is adapted to connect to a correspondingly threaded valve coupler 32 which is disposed on the periphery of valve housing 28.
The pressure sensor 10 of the present invention operates as follows. As seen in the Figures, valve 27 is fluidly connected to vessel 50.
When sensor first coupler 30 is connected to valve coupler 32, valve actuator pin 26 actuates valve 27, thereby allowing fluid to flow from vessel 50, through valve 27, through fluid aperture 34, to pressure transducer 20. Pressure transducer 20 is adapted to provide an initial electrical signal in response to the pressure of the fluid. Electrical connector 24 is electrically connected to the pressure transducer 20 for connecting the pressure transducer 20 to an external circuit (not shown) such as an engine controller.
Because valve actuator component 26 is integrally connected to the pressure sensor 10, it eliminates the need for utilizing a ball valve located between the fluid vessel and the pressure sensor, thereby eliminating the very labor intensive activity of draining the fluid in order to service the pressure sensor 10. Therefore, if the pressure transducer within the pressure sensor fails, the present invention eliminates the labor intensive operation of replacing the pressure transducer while fluid is still present, thereby providing a serviceable pressure sensor.
While the present invention is described for use as a pressure sensor in an engine, it is recognized that such an apparatus could be adapted for determining fluid pressure in numerous other applications. Thus, while the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiment above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
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