Patent ID: 6472624
Filing Date: 2002-10-29
Classification: H01H,H03K

Abstract:
A flow switch cartridge that is replacably mountable within a housing, comprising:a cartridge body having: a flow chamber, positioned within the cartridge body at a front end thereof, the flow chamber having an inlet port along the front end and at least one outlet port for allowing fluid to flow into the cartridge body from -the inlet port through the flow chamber and exiting the cartridge body from the outlet port; and a sensor chamber, positioned within the cartridge body at a back end thereof and within the same axis -as the flow chamber, for accommodating a sensor; a plunger positioned within the flow chamber, the plunger positionally responsive to fluid flow and in communication with the sensor when in close proximity to the sensor; a spring cooperating with the plunger, for biasing the plunger to a first position when no flow is present, and allowing the plunger to move to a second position when flow is present; a sensor, positioned in the sensor chamber, for determining whether fluid is flowing through the flow chamber based on the plunger position; and a housing, the housing comprising: a housing inlet port, for connecting the housing to a fluid pipe; a housing outlet port, for connecting the housing to a fluid pipe; and a cartridge-receiving port, for accommodating the cartridge body so that fluid can flow in a path by flowing into the housing from the housing inlet port, into the inlet port of the flow chamber, against the plunger within the flow chamber, out the outlet port of the flow chamber, and exiting the housing from the housing outlet port.