Robert W Drexel

US Patent:

20060081294, Apr 20, 2006

Filed:

Oct 15, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/966182

Inventors:

Robert Drexel - Smithtown NY, US
Sean O'Grady - Chesterfield MO, US

International Classification:

F16K 37/00

US Classification:

137554000

Abstract:

A pressure regulating valve with an integrated flow switch to sense when full flow has been achieved through the regulator includes a valve housing, a control member, a movable setting member, a first electrical contact disposed on the movable setting member and a second electrical contact disposed on an inner wall of the housing. The housing also has a primary duct, a secondary duct, a transfer opening fluidly connecting the primary duct and the secondary duct and an interior chamber. The control member is movable between an open and a closed position for alternately opening and closing the transfer opening. The movable setting member is disposed in the housing interior chamber and is engageable with the movable control member to move the control member between the open and closed positions. When the control member is in one of its open and closed positions, the first and second electrical contacts make contact, thereby closing a circuit to indicate that full flow has been achieved. In an alternative embodiment, a sensing mechanism is provided for sensing the relative location of the setting member.