US3677276A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interruptible jet sensor
Assignee: Bowles Fluidics Corp
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Filing: 1970-10-02
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Granted: 1972-07-18
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Expires: 1990-10-02
Abstract
Abstract Object presence in a gap is detected by a fluid jet issued across the gap toward a sensor opening and interruptible by the object. Supply and outlet passages communicate with the sensor opening. Jet interruption permits supply passage fluid to exit from the sensor opening and aspirate the outlet passage. The uninterrupted jet impacts supply passage fluid just outside the sensor opening, producing a back pressure in the opening which directs supply passage fluid into the outlet passage. Supply passage fluid pressure is selected to prevent entry of the unblocked jet into the sensor opening, thereby assuring flow of only clean supply fluid through the outlet passage.
Inventors
- 👤 Anthony Kopera
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 22:48
CPC Classifications
F; F15; F15C; F15C1/00; F15C1/005; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0318; Y10T137/0396; Y10T137/2278; Y10T137/2322
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A sensor comprising: a fluid supply passage terminating in a sensor port and arranged to flow pressurized fluid through said sensor port; an outlet passage interruptible with said sensor port and positioned to be aspirated by said pressurized fluid flowing through said sensor port; nozzle means for issuing a fluid jet toward said sensor port when unblocked; wherein the pressure of said pressurized fluid at said sensor port is sufficiently high to impinge against said jet proximate said sensor port and prevent fluid from said jet from entering said outlet passage while diverting part of said pressurized fluid into said outlet passage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
A sensor comprising: a fluid supply passage terminating in a sensor port and arranged to flow pressurized fluid through said sensor port; an outlet passage interruptible with said sensor port and positioned to be aspirated by said pressurized fluid flowing through said sensor port; nozzle means for issuing a fluid jet toward said sensor port when unblocked; wherein the pressure of said pressurized fluid at said sensor port is sufficiently high to impinge against said jet proximate said sensor port and prevent fluid from said jet from entering said outlet passage while diverting part of said pressurized fluid into said outlet passage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The sensor according to claim 1 wherein said sensor port includes a longitudinal axis and wherein said outlet passage intersects said sensor port at an angle of approximately 30* relative to said sensor port whereby to permit efficient aspiration of fluid from said outlet passage by said fluid flowing through said sensor port.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
143 words
An interruptible jet sensor comprising: a body having a contour wherein two sidewalls define a gap therebetween, one of said sidewalls having a sensor port defined therein and opening into said gap; means for issuing a fluid jet generally across said gap toward said sensor port; supply means for issuing supply fluid from said sensor port at sufficient pressure to balance said jet proximate said sensor port and prevent inflow of fluid from said jet into said sensor port, thereby providing a relatively high pressure in said sensor port; and output means for sensing said relatively high pressure at said sensor port, said output means comprising a fluid passage disposed at an angle with respect to said sensor port to permit said supply fluid to aspirate fluid from said fluid passage whenever said fluid jet is blocked from impinging against said supply fluid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
143 words
An interruptible jet sensor comprising: a body having a contour wherein two sidewalls define a gap therebetween, one of said sidewalls having a sensor port defined therein and opening into said gap; means for issuing a fluid jet generally across said gap toward said sensor port; supply means for issuing supply fluid from said sensor port at sufficient pressure to balance said jet proximate said sensor port and prevent inflow of fluid from said jet into said sensor port, thereby providing a relatively high pressure in said sensor port; and output means for sensing said relatively high pressure at said sensor port, said output means comprising a fluid passage disposed at an angle with respect to said sensor port to permit said supply fluid to aspirate fluid from said fluid passage whenever said fluid jet is blocked from impinging against said supply fluid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
185 words
An interruptible jet sensor comprising a body having defined therein: an open gap area; a first fluid passage arranged to receive pressurized fluid; a nozzle arranged to receive pressurized fluid from said first fluid passage and issue a fluid jet across said gap; a second fluid passage arranged to receive pressurized fluid from said first fluid passage, said second fluid passage including a flow restrictor; a second nozzle terminating across said gap from said first nozzle and arranged to receive pressurized fluid from said second fluid passage and issue same into said gap; an outlet passage terminating at said second nozzle and arranged to be aspirated by fluid issuing into said gap from said second nozzle and to receive fluid from said second nozzle when the pressure in said gap is greater than ambient; wherein the size of said flow restrictor is chosen such that for a predetermined pressure of fluid applied to said first fluid said jet and fluid issued from said second nozzle achieve a flow balance sufficiently proximate said second nozzle to thereby increase the pressure in said second nozzle above ambient.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
185 words
An interruptible jet sensor comprising a body having defined therein: an open gap area; a first fluid passage arranged to receive pressurized fluid; a nozzle arranged to receive pressurized fluid from said first fluid passage and issue a fluid jet across said gap; a second fluid passage arranged to receive pressurized fluid from said first fluid passage, said second fluid passage including a flow restrictor; a second nozzle terminating across said gap from said first nozzle and arranged to receive pressurized fluid from said second fluid passage and issue same into said gap; an outlet passage terminating at said second nozzle and arranged to be aspirated by fluid issuing into said gap from said second nozzle and to receive fluid from said second nozzle when the pressure in said gap is greater than ambient; wherein the size of said flow restrictor is chosen such that for a predetermined pressure of fluid applied to said first fluid said jet and fluid issued from said second nozzle achieve a flow balance sufficiently proximate said second nozzle to thereby increase the pressure in said second nozzle above ambient.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The sensor according to claim 4 wherein said second nozzle has a larger cross-section than said first nozzle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The sensor according to claim 4 wherein said second nozzle is wider at its downstream end than its upstream end, said upstream and downstream ends being separated by the termination of said outlet passage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
The sensor according to claim 4 wherein said outlet passage is disposed at an angle of approximately 30* relative to said second fluid passage at said second nozzle to permit efficient aspiration of fluid from said second nozzle whenever said fluid jet is blocked from impinging against fluid issued from said second nozzle in said open gap area.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The sensor according to claim 1 wherein said second nozzle is wider downstream of the intersection with said outlet passage than upstream thereof.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
134 words
The method of sensing the presence of an object in a gap comprising the steps of: issuing a fluid jet across said gap toward a sensor port; issuing fluid from said sensor port at a pressure sufficient to create a flow balance with the uninterrupted jet proximate the sensor port, said flow balance creating a back pressure in said sensor port sufficient to prevent jet fluid from entering the sensor port, and sensing the presence of an object interrupting said jet in said gap by sensing the absence of said back pressure in said sensor port the step of sensing comprises aspirating a fluid outlet passage communicating with said sensor port when said jet is interrupted and supplying fluid from upstream of said sensor port to said outlet passage when said jet is uninterrupted.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
134 words
The method of sensing the presence of an object in a gap comprising the steps of: issuing a fluid jet across said gap toward a sensor port; issuing fluid from said sensor port at a pressure sufficient to create a flow balance with the uninterrupted jet proximate the sensor port, said flow balance creating a back pressure in said sensor port sufficient to prevent jet fluid from entering the sensor port, and sensing the presence of an object interrupting said jet in said gap by sensing the absence of said back pressure in said sensor port the step of sensing comprises aspirating a fluid outlet passage communicating with said sensor port when said jet is interrupted and supplying fluid from upstream of said sensor port to said outlet passage when said jet is uninterrupted.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2919712A
Cited
US3285608A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-18 | 1976-01-17 | 1976-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-18 | 1980-01-17 | 1980-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-18 | 1984-01-17 | 1984-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |