MAGNETIC SWITCH HOUSING ASSEMBLY

Abstract: A housing assembly for a magnetically controlled ele­ ment used to detect the angular position of a rotatable shaft (18) includes at least one cavity (30, 32) for holding a corres­ ponding number of insertable switch capsules (26, 28), which capsules are preferably removable. The capsules (26, 28) are readily fitted in the cavities (30, 32) to precisely position a magnetic reed switch encapsulated therein into close proximity to a rotating shaft (18) having a magnetic insert on at least one circumferential sector. The capsules (26, 28) also optionally include reed switch activated SCR circuits for generating an AC power output signal dependent upon the angular position of the rotatable shaft (18).

Description: The invention relates generally to magnetic switches and more particularly to a housing assembly for environmentally isolating and securely mounting one or more magnetic switches in a predetermined fixed relationship to an actuating shaft. The invention will be specifically disclosed in connection with a housing for precisely mounting two limit switch modules positioned to magnetically detect the open and closed positions of a quarter turn actuating shaft. Normally, visual access to a closure member of a valve is blocked by the valve housing and by the process line or equipment in which the valve is installed. Further, in many instances, the valve is inconveniently located, and there is a need to ascertain the position of the valve closure member at a location removed from the valve. For these reasons, many prior art devices have been developed for not only detecting the position of a valve closure member, but also for electrically communicating such information to a remote location. Perhaps the most common contemporary commercial practice is to use detectors which sense the end limits of the closure member movement and which open or close an electrical switch in response thereto. Typically, the closure member is moved by an actuating shaft which extends through an actuator housing. In one prior art arrangement, this extension of the actuating shaft out of the actuator housing is used to mechanically interconnect the closure member with a pair of rocker arms actuated limit switches. The actuating shaft moves the rocker arms at the end limits of closure member movement; and the movement of the rocker arms is used to open or close electrical contacts. The contacts, in turn, open or close an electrical circuit to produce an output signal indicative of whether the closure member is in an open or closed position. While used quite extensively, mechanically actuated limit switches, such as the rocker arm type switches discussed above, suffer from several shortcomings which limit their effectiveness in many industrial environments. First of all, these prior art switches are often insufficiently sealed (if sealed at all). As a consequence, the switch contacts occasionally malfunction due to exposure to dirt and/or process materials. Additionally, the rocker arms, or other mechanical components, of these prior art switches are many times directly exposed to process material spills. Many such process materials are, corrosive and will corrode the mechanical components or inhibit their mechanical movement. For example, viscous fluids, such as corn syrup, may spill and "gum up" rocker arms to such an extent as to prohibit switch operation. Mechanically actuated limit switches are also susceptible to mechanical abuse. It is not uncommon, as an example, or workers to climb upon or step on limit switches as they attempt to access other process equipment components. The weight of a typical worker may well bend the rocker arms of the above described limit switches and render such switches inoperative. The size of mechanical limit switches also poses limitations upon their use. Mechanical limit switches generally extend above valve actuators and have relatively high profiles. On occasion, such as when other process equipment or low ceiling dimensions must be taken into consideration, these high profiles restrict placement of the actuator. It is also known in the art to detect the position of a valve closure member with magnets and one or more magnetic reed switches. One of either the magnets or the reed switches is positioned to move with the closure member, with the other positioned on the valve body. An assembly having magnetic means for determining the angular position of a rotatable shaft, as recited in the precharacterizing portion of independent claim 1 is disclosed in FR-A-2 105 654. Two magnetically controlled elements or reed switches are embedded in the housing material during molding thereof. Electric conductors also embedded in the housing material are provided between the magnetically controlled elements and external connector pins. The object of the invention is to provide an assembly for determining the angular position of a rotatable shaft which permits replacement of the magnetically controlled element and facilitates quick and reliable positioning of the magnetically controlled element while insuring the isolation thereof against contaminants and protection against mechanical abuse in an industrial environment. According to the invention, to achieve this, there is provided an assembly for determining the angular position of a rotatable shaft having a magnetic element disposed about at least one circumferential sector thereof for common rotational movement with the shaft, a nonmagnetic housing formed of rigid material, said housing having a bore, said rotatable shaft being disposed within said bore and rotatable with respect thereto, at least one cavity extending into said housing material in proximal relationship to said bore, a magnetically controlled element disposed within said cavity, said magnetically controlled element being responsive to magnetic flux generated by said magnetic element and having an output dependent upon the relative angular position between said shaft and housing, and a conductor connected to said controlled element and extending out of said cavity for communicating the output of said controlled element to an external location, characterized in that said magnetically controlled element and the connection between said controlled element and said conductor are totally encapsulated in a potted capsule removably disposed within said cavity, and that means are provided for selectively securing the capsule in the cavity in a predetermined relationship to said bore to maximize the influence of the magnetic flux generated by said magnetic element upon said controlled element. Preferably, the cavity is elongated and tangentially or transversely positioned with respect to the housing bore. Two cavities can be provided, orthogonally disposed with respect to both each other and to the bore, each having insertably disposed therein a potted capsule containing a magnetically controlled element. The housing assembly preferably includes multiple seals to protect the switching assembly from the ambient environment. In one specific embodiment, the securing means includes at least one off-center locator pin extending from one axial end of each of the capsules. Each locator pin(s) is received by a corresponding locator cavity in the closed end of the cavities to prevent relative rotational movement between the capsule and the housing. When two locator pins are used, one of the pins is preferably larger than the other with the corresponding locator cavities being matingly configured to avoid insertion of the locator pins into the improper locator cavities. The securing means can further include a self-locking external toothed ring in abutting relationship with each of the capsules to prevent relative axial movement between said capsules and said housing. The self-locking external toothed ring is in radially compressive relationship to the cavities. The cavities are preferably in different planes so as to avoid interference between the capsules and the conductors extending out of the capsules. The open ends of the cavities can be threaded, and a conduit fitting can be threadably received in at least one of said open ends to sealingly close the open end in watertight relationship to the housing. Preferably, a plug is threadably inserted in the open end of the rotor cavity to sealingly close the opening in a watertight and/or explosion proof seal. Another optional feature involves the total encapsulation of a circuit board and a circuit controlled by the magnetically controlled element in the capsule. In the preferred embodiment, the magnetically controlled element includes a hermetically sealed reed switch. According to a further feature, the circuit includes a pair of silicon controlled rectifiers responsive to the reed switch. A bore cap seal is preferably disposed at an axial end of the rotatable shaft. The bore cap seal can be sealingly interconnected to the housing to prevent entry of contaminants into the housing bore. A visual indicator disc may be fixed to the rotatable shaft to provide a visual indication of the angular position of the rotatable shaft through a window providing visual access to said visual indicator disc. Most preferably, the switch capsule is formed of a waterproof material. In still another embodiment, at least one magnet holder is provided for securing a permanent magnet about a circumferential sector of the rotatable shaft. The magnet holder is adjustably movable with respect to the shaft for varying the angular position of the permanent magnet on said shaft. Optionally, the magnetic switch assembly has independently adjustable trip points for detecting the position of an actuating shaft. In one specific embodiment, the magnetic switch assembly can provide an output signal compatible with computers and programmable controllers, and in another embodiment it may be used for producing a power output signal for medium AC power applications. Still other features of the assembly for determining the angular position of a rotatable shaft will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following description wherein there is shown and described a preferred embodiment of this assembly, simply by way of illustration of one of the best modes contemplated for carrying out the invention. The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several features of the magnetic switch assembly, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective environmental view depicting a magnetic switch assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention and mounted on top of a vane type actuator housing; Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the magnetic switch assembly of Fig. 1, with a portion cut away to illustrate the relationship between actuating shaft, switch capsules and adjustable magnet holders disposed on the actuating shaft; Fig. 3 is an exploded view depicting the actuating shaft, adjustable magnet holders and shaft position indicators shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the two magnet holders illustrated in Fig. 3 in assembled position and depicting the manner in which relative rotational movement between the two magnet holders is controlled; Fig. 5 is a plan view of the magnetic switch assembly of Figs. 1 and 2 depicting position pins on the switch capsules for insuring proper and precise alignment of the switch capsules in the housing assembly; Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in Fig. 5 showing the switch capsules operatively positioned in the housing assembly; and Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of a reed switch triggered solid state switching circuit disposed in each of the capsules of Fig. 6. Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 depicts a vane type actuator of the type commonly used for effectuating quarter turn rotational movement of a movable member, such as a valve closure member (not shown). The vane type actuator, generally designated by the numeral 10, includes upper and lower housing portions 12 and 14 secured together by a plurality of screws 16. A movable vane or paddle (not shown) is disposed within the housing 12,14 and arranged to rotate in response to a pressure differential developed by the introduction of pressurized fluid into the housing 12,14 on one side of the vane. The vane is fixedly attached to an actuating shaft 18 which extends through both the upper and lower housing portions 12,14 and rotates with the vane. Fig. 1 further depicts a limit switch housing assembly, generally designated by the numeral 20, mounted on the top of the upper housing portion 12. The switch housing 20 has a centrally disposed bore into which the shaft 18 is received (the top portion of shaft 18 is obscured by the housing assembly 20 in Fig. 1, see Fig. 2). As illustrated, the housing assembly 20 includes a low profile housing 22 of generally rectangular configuration. The housing 22 is formed of nonmagnetic material, such as plastic, nonmagnetic stainless steel or, as in the preferred embodiment, an aluminum casting. The housing 22 is bolted to the upper housing portion 12 by a pair of bolts 24. Turning now to Fig. 2, it is seen that a pair of epoxy potted switch capsules 26 and 28 are disposed within the housing 22. More specifically, the illustrated plastic switch capsules 26 and 28 are secured in closed ended drilled cavities 30 and 32 respectively formed in the housing 22, which cavities 30 and 32 have a configuration matching that of the respective switch capsules 26,28. Preferably, the switch capsules are tangentially oriented with respect to the shaft 18. In the specifically illustrated embodiment, the switch capsules 26,28 are orthogonally oriented with respect to both each other and to the rotary axis of an adaptor shaft 18' interconnected to and rotatable with the shaft 18. The illustrated shaft adaptor 18' is securable to the shaft 18 through the agency of a set screw 19 (see Fig. 3). Inasmuch as shaft adaptors (or shaft mounts) simply function in the present invention to effectively alter a shaft dimension for accommodating a standard size magnet holder (to be described hereinafter), unless otherwise explicitly noted, the term "shaft" as used in the present specification and claims will be used to denote either a shaft itself or any adaptor or extension thereof. The switch capsules 26 and 28 each contain electronic circuits, including magnetically controlled elements, such as reed switches (schematically depicted in Fig. 7), for detecting the angular position of magnets adjustably fixed to the shaft 18, as will be more fully discussed hereinafter. As may be realized from Fig. 2, all of the circuit components area either double or triple sealed. The housing 22 provides a first seal and isolates the entire switch modules 26 and 28 from dirt and process contaminants. Additionally, the switch capsules 26,28 themselves include an epoxy covering 34. This covering 34 provides a second seal which encapsulates both the magnetic reed switches and circuit boards 35 containing associated electronic circuit elements. Insulated conductors 37 (see Figs. 1,5, and 6) extend through the capsules 26,28 to apply an output signal from the encapsulated circuit to an external location, the connection between the encapsulated circuit and the conductors 37 also being disposed within the protective confines of the capsules 26,28. Further, the reed switches are hermetically sealed in a glass enclosure 36. Thus, the reed switch contacts are triple sealed from dirt and corrosion by the glass 36, epoxy 34 and housing 22; and all other circuit components and connections are double sealed by the epoxy covering 34 and housing 22. The reed switches and associated elements are described in greater detail below in connection with Fig. 7. Turning now to Fig. 3, the assembly depicted in Fig. 2 for adjustably holding magnets about the shaft 18 (or as specifically illustrated, a shaft adaptor 18') is illustrated in greater detail. A first magnet holder 40 having a centrally disposed shaft receiving aperture 42 is fitted about the upper section of the shaft 18 (or shaft adaptor 18'), which shaft section 18 extends through the upper housing portion 12. A shoulder 44 on the shaft 18 (specifically illustrated as the shaft adaptor 18') limits axial movement of the magnet holder 40 onto the shaft 18. The illustrated magnet holder 40 includes a bearing surface 41 on one axial side as well as a pair of cooperating magnet mounts 46A and 46B disposed on one circumferential sector. As described in connection with Fig. 4, a magnet 45 is disposed between these magnet mounts 46A and 46B. For clarity of illustration, the magnet 45 (as well as magnet 55 disposed between magnet mounts 50A and 50B of magnet holder 48, described hereinafter) is omitted from the drawings of Figs. 2 and 3. A second magnet holder 48 is fitted about the shaft 18 on top of the first magnet holder 40. This second illustrated magnet holder 48 is identical to the first illustrated magnet holder 40. However, in assembled positions, the second magnet bolder 48 is inverted with respect to the first magnet holder 40 so as to position the axial bearing surface (not shown) on this second magnet holder 48 into contact with the corresponding bearing surface 41 of magnet holder 40. Magnet holder 48 further includes a pair of cooperating magnet mounts 50A and 50B which are illustrated as being separated from magnet mounts 44 and 46 by approximately 180° in Fig. 3. An indicator clamping member 60 is fixedly secured to the shaft 18 above the second magnet holder 48. This indicator clamping member 60 includes a pair of downwardly depending bosses 62 and 64 extending from a base 66 having a ringlike configuration. The base 66 defines a central opening 68 which includes a pair of oppositely disposed flats 70 and 72. The ringlike base 66 is fitted about the top of shaft 18 (specifically illustrated as the shaft adaptor 18' in Fig. 3) with the flats 70 and 72 on indicator clamping member 60 engaging corresponding flats 76 and 78 on the sides of shaft 18 to prevent relative rotation between the indicator clamping member 60 and the shaft 18. The boss 62 has a threaded apertures 65 for receiving a set screw 63 for selectively fixing the indicator clamping member 60 to the shaft 18. Similarly, threaded apertures 67 (see Fig. 4) in the magnet holders 40,48 receive set screws 88 for securing the magnet holders 40,48 at a selected angular position about shaft 18. As seen in Fig. 4, magnet mounts 46A and 46B on magnet holder 40 are used to securely hold a permanent magnet 45. The magnet 45 is interposed between a pair of magnetic pole pieces 41 and 47 which serve to directionalize the magnetic flux generated by magnet 45. A pair of set screws 49 extend through mount 46B to engage the pole piece 47 and to compressingly hold the magnet 45 between the magnetic pole pieces 41 and 47. In a similar manner, magnet mounts 50A and 50B are used to securely hold a permanent magnet 55 on magnet holder 48. A pair of set screws 51 are advanced through mount 50B to compressingly engage a magnetic pole piece 53 and to secure magnet 55 between pole piece 53 and a further pole piece 57. The magnet holders 40,48 radially separate the magnets 45,55 from the shaft 18 and permit the use of a shaft 18 formed of magnetic material without adversely effecting operation of the reed switches disposed in capsules 26,28. The orientation of the switch capsules 26,28 with respect to each other and the actuating shaft 18 is achieved in a manner illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. In Fig. 5, it is seen that the cavities 30 and 32 intersect each other near one corner of the generally rectangular housing 22. The switch capsules 26 and 28 are inserted into these cavities 30 and 32 through openings 102 and 104 respectively, which openings 102,104 are proximally located with respect to this corner location. As further depicted in Figs. 5 and 6, each of the switch capsules 26,28 has at least one off-center pin extending outwardly from one axial end of the switch capsules. In the illustrated embodiment, each capsule 26,28 has a pair of locator pins 106,108. The diameter of locator pin 106 is greater than the diameter of pin 108. The axial end of cavities 30 and 32 have correspondingly sized and shaped locator holes 110,112 for receiving these locator pins. Thus, locator pin 106 will not fit into hole 112. In this way, the cavities 30,32 insure proper location of the switch capsules 26,28 with respect to the shaft 18, and the receipt of locating pins 106,108 in locator holes 110,112 insures proper angular orientation. Switch capsules 26 and 28 are axially held in cavities 30,32 by self-locking external toothed rings 114 and 116 respectively. The rings 114,116 each have central openings for the passage of two insulated conductors 37 extending from each of the switch capsule 26,28. All of the conductors 37 exit housing 22 through a sealed fitting 118 (see Fig. 5) threadably received in the opening 102. As indicated from the depiction of Fig. 6, opening 104 is also threaded and is blocked by a cap 120. Fig. 6 further shows that the cavity 30 is vertically offset (i.e., in a different plane) from cavity 32 in the preferred embodiment to allow insertion of the second inserted switch capsules 26,28 without interference from the conductors 37 extending from the first inserted capsule. Advantageously, the above described switch housing assembly is also explosion proof. The structural integrity of the housing 22 combined with the threaded openings 102,104 insure that any explosive gases within the cavities 30,32 would slowly escape about the threads of the openings 102,104 without exploding the housing 22. The relatively slow escape of gases about these threads provides cooling time for the heated gas and avoids the expulsion of the gases in a highly heated state. Returning once again to Fig. 3, it is seen that a visual indicator disc 122 is fixedly attachable to the top of the indicator clamping member 60 for rotation with the actuating shaft 18. The visual indicator disc 122 is divided into two visually distinct areas 122A and 122B. A bore cap seal cover 124, shown in Fig. 1 covers the visual indicator disc 122 and sealingly isolates the shaft 18 and magnet holding assembly from the ambient environment. The bore cap seal 124 preferably seals against an O-ring 125 circumferentially disposed in an annular groove 127 in the top of housing 22 (see Fig. 2). A further O-ring 129 is disposed in a groove 131 for sealingly interfacing the bottom portion of the housing 22. The bore cap seal 124 is shown with a plastic window 126 which visually reveals a portion of the indicator disc 122. In the illustrated embodiment, the angular orientation of the seal cover 124 and disc 122 are coordinated so that one of the visually distinct areas 122A or 122B underlies the window 126 when the valve closure is in an open position and the other visually distinct area 122A or 122B underlies the window when the closure member is in the closed or shut position. The visually distinct areas 122A and 122B may include labels, as for example, the words "open" and "shut". According to another feature of the magnetic switch assembly, the relative angular positions of magnets 45,55 with respect to shaft 18 may be varied. As seen in Fig. 5, the housing 22 further includes a pair of ports 109 and 111 which extend radially inwardly to the centrally disposed bore containing shaft 18. These ports 109,111 provide access to set screws 88, shown in Figs. 3 and 4, securing magnet holders 40,48 in selected angular position on the shaft 18. The set screw 88 may be loosened and retightened following angular adjustment of the magnet holder. The external openings of ports 109,111 are, of course, sealed during operation. Preferably, removably threaded caps are used to seal these external openings of ports 109 and 111. Fig. 7 depicts a reed switch triggered switching circuit which is optionally disposed within each of the capsules for medium AC power applications. Such a circuit generates an output signal in response to the closure of a reed switch disposed within the glass enclosure 36 shown in Fig. 2. The specifically illustrated circuit 130 includes a pair of silicon-controlled rectifiers (SCR's) 132 and 134 connected between upper and lower rails 136 and 138 in an inverse-parallel configuration. The circuit 130 is activated by the closure of one of the hermetically sealed reed switches 140, which, as indicated in the description above, are closed by the influence of magnets 45,55 secured about the shaft 18. Upon closure of the reed switch 140, positive half cycles of the AC line voltage (wherein rail 136 is positive with respect to lower rail 138) will cause SCR 134 to be triggered to the "on" or conducting state by a diode 142, a resistor 144 and a resistor 146 acting in combination. During negative half cycles of the AC line voltage (wherein the upper rail 136 is negative with respect to the lower rail 138), the SCR 132 is triggered to the "on" or conducting state by the application of a gating potential acting across diode 148, resistor 144 and resistor 150 in combination. Hence, the load 152 will be connected across the voltage V between upper and lower rails 136 and 138 respectively during positive half cycles by SCR 134 and during negative half cycles by SCR 132. Therefore, full wave power is applied to the load 152 to simulate a normal switch closure. A varistor 154 is also shown across rails 136,138 to protect against transients exceeding the peak line voltage potential. The circuit 130 of Fig. 7 advantageously permits relatively high power AC switching with only a minimal volt-ampere switch load on the reed switch 140. Other solid state power switches for performing this same function will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be used in accordance with the principles of the present invention. For example, a single triac static switch circuit or a transistor switch could be employed. However, for low power signals directed to programmable logic controllers, computers and the like, the magnetic reed switch is used directly without the remaining illustrated SCR components. In summary, numerous benefits have been described which result from employing the concepts of the invention. The disclosed switch assembly facilitates quick and reliable insertion of a magnetic switch capsule in proper position and orientation with respect to a rotating shaft having a magnet disposed about one circumferential sector. Encapsulation of the magnetic switches and control circuits in watertight epoxy capsules and thereafter inserting these capsules into sealed cavities in the assembly housing provides multiple seals to isolate the switches, circuits and their connections against the many potentially harmful contaminants in an industrial environment. The magnets used to activate the magnetic switches are advantageously secured in adjustable magnet holders to vary the angular position of the shaft used to trip the magnetic switches. The switch capsules may also optionally encapsulate circuit components for generating a magnetic switch activated power output signal. The use of locator pins on the capsules with corresponding locator cavities insures quick and proper insertion of the capsules while preventing relative rotational movement between the capsules and the housing during operation. The use of a windowed bore cap seal eliminates entry of contaminants into the housing bore while still providing a visual indication of the shaft position. The switch capsules of the invention may be constructed to be readily removable for quick and inexpensive maintenance, if needed.

Claims: Assembly for determining the angular position of a rotatable shaft (18) having a magnetic element (45) disposed about at least one circumferential sector thereof for common rotational movement with the shaft; a nonmagnetic housing (20) formed of rigid material, said housing (20) having a bore, said rotatable shaft (18) being disposed within said bore and rotatable with respect thereto; at least one cavity (30) extending into said housing material in proximal relationship to said bore; a magnetically controlled element (140) disposed within said cavity (30), said magnetically controlled element (140) being responsive to magnetic flux generated by said magnetic element (45) and having an output dependent upon the relative angular position between said shaft (18) and said housing (20); and a conductor (37) connected to said controlled element (140) and extending out of said cavity (30) for communicating the output of said controlled element (140) to an external location, characterized in that said magnetically controlled element (140) and the connection between said controlled element (140) and said conductor (37) are totally encapsulated in a potted capsule (26) removably disposed within said cavity (30), and that means are provided for selectively securing the capsule (26) in the cavity (30) in a predetermined relationship to said bore to maximize the influence of the magnetic flux generated by said magnetic element (45) upon said controlled element (140). Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the longitudinal dimension of said cavity (30) extends in a direction substantially transverse to the rotatable axis of said shaft (18). Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one cavity (30) is elongated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of said shaft (18) and in tangential relationship to said bore. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said capsule (26,28) is formed of plastic and is permanently potted in said cavity (26,28). Assembly according to claim 1, characterized by further including a second cavity (28) extending into said housing (20) in a direction substantially transverse to the axis of said shaft (18), a second potted capsule (28) insertably disposed in said second cavity (32), said second cavity (32) being angularly spaced about the periphery of said bore with respect to said at least one cavity (30) and proximally positioned with respect to the bore, a second magnetically controlled element (140) totally encapsulated within said second capsule (28), said second magnetically controlled element (140) producing an output dependent upon the angular position of the shaft (18), and a second conductor (37) extending into the second capsule (28) in contact with the second magnetically controlled element (140) for communicating the second controlled element output to an external location, the connection between said second controlled element (140) and said second conductor (37) being encapsulated within said second capsule (28). Assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that both said at least one cavity (30) and said second cavity (32) are elongated and tangentially positioned with respect to said bore. Assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that said at least one cavity (30) and said second cavity (32) are orthogonally disposed with respect to both each other and to said bore. Assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that said each of said cavities (30,32) has a generally cylindrical configuration, and said capsules (26,28) have complementary configurations. Assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that each of the cavities (30,32) has one closed axial end and one open, but closable, axial end (102,104). Assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that the securing means includes at least one off-center locator pin (106) extending from one axial end of each of the capsules (26,28), said off-center locator pin (106) being received by a corresponding locator hole (110) in the closed end of the cavities (30,32) to prevent relative rotational movement between the capsules (26,28) and the housing (20). Assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that said securing means includes a pair of spaced locator pins (106,108) and a corresponding pair of locator holes (110,112). Assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that one of the locator pins (106,108) is larger than the other and the corresponding locator holes (110,112) are matingly configured to avoid insertion of the locator pins (106,108) into the improper locator holes (110,112). Assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that the securing means further includes a self-locking external toothed ring (114,116) in abutting relationship with each of the capsules (26,28) to prevent relative axial movement between said capsules (26,28) and said housing (20), said ring (114,116) being in radially compressive relationship to said cavities (30,32). Assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that the cavities (30,32) are nonparallel to each other in different planes so as to avoid interference between the capsules (26,28) and the conductors (37) extending out of the capsules (26,28). Assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that the cavities (30,32) intersect proximal to their open ends (102,104) to permit conductors (37) extending from each capsule (26,28) to exit the housing (20) through one (102) of the open ends (102,104). Assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that the open ends (102,104) of the cavities (30,32) are threaded and a conduit fitting (118) is threadably received in at least one (102) of said open ends (102,104) to sealingly close said at least one open end (102) in watertight relationship to said housing (20). Assembly according to claim 16, characterized in that a plug is threadably inserted in the open end (104) of the other cavity (32) to sealingly close the opening (104) of the other cavity (32) in a watertight explosion proof seal. Assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that said magnetically controlled element includes hermetically sealed reed switches (140) sealed in enclosures (36), said capsules (26,28) totally encapsulating the enclosures (26,28) of said hermetically sealed reed switches (140). Assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one of the capsules (26,28) further totally encapsulates a circuit board (35) and a circuit (130) controlled by the magnetically controlled element. Assembly according to claim 19, characterized in that the circuit (130) includes a solid state switching circuit responsive to the reed switch (140). Assembly according to claim 1, characterized by further including a bore cap seal (124) disposed at an axial end of the rotatable shaft (18), said seal (124) being sealingly interconnected to the housing (20) to prevent entry of contaminants into the housing bore. Assembly according to claim 21, characterized by further including a visual indicator disc (122) movable with said rotatable shaft (18) to provide a visual indication of the angular position of the rotatable shaft (18), said bore cap seal (124) including a window (126) providing visual access to said visual indicator disc (122). Assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that said capsules (26,28) are formed of a waterproof material. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized by further including at least one magnet holder (40) for securing said magnetic element (45) about a circumferentially sector of the rotatable shaft (18), said magnet holder (40) being adjustably movable with respect to the shaft (18) for varying the angular position of the magnetic element (45) on said shaft (18) and by said magnetic element (45) being a permanent magnet. Assembly according to claim 24, characterized by further including at least one port (109) extending through the housing (20) to said bore for accessing said at least one magnet holder (40) for varying the relative angular positions between said at least one magnet holder (40) and said rotatable shaft (18). Assembly according to claim 24 or 25, characterized by further including a second magnet holder (48), said second magnet holder (48) being operative to secure at least one second permanent magnet (55) about a circumferential sector of the rotatable shaft (18), at least one of said magnet holders (40,48) being adjustable with respect to the shaft (18) for varying the angular position of at least one of the permanent magnets (45,55) with respect to said shaft (18). Assembly according to claim 26, characterized by further including a pair of ports (109,111) extending radially through said housing (20) to the bore, said ports (109,110) providing access to said magnet holders (40,48) for adjusting the angular position thereof with respect to the shaft (18). Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said housing (20) is formed of aluminum. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said housing (20) is formed of plastic. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the capsules (26,28) are formed from a plastic material. Assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that the first and second cavities (30,32) are orthogonally oriented with respect to each both other and to the bore. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said housing (20) is formed of nonmagnetic stainless steel.

Inventors: LESTER, EDDIE DARYL, SONDERMAN, WILLIAM GORDON, TROUTMAN, PAUL HENRY
Applicants: XOMOX CORPORATION
Application year: 1985
Main classification: F16K37
IPC codes: F16K37