Dial assembly with magnetically biased reed switch
View Patent ↗A dial assembly for a magnetically driven gauge. The dial assembly, including a rotatable dial magnet, a reed switch and a bias magnet. The bias magnet and reed switch being positioned such that when the poles of the bias magnet and the dial magnet are in a first orientation the reed switch be held in a first position (such as a closed contact position) and that when the dial magnet rotates to a second position such that the poles of the dial magnet and bias magnet are in a second orientation, the reed switch will be held at a second orientation (such as an open, non-contact orientation).
1. A gauge comprising:
(a) a gauge assembly having
(i) a gauge head;
(ii) a support member extending from said gauge head;
(iii) a transmitting shaft having a first end and a second end rotatable in said support member;
(iv) a tank magnet attached to said first end of said transmitting shaft;
(v) a float arm linked to said transmitting shaft such that movement of said float arm results in rotation of said transmitting shaft;
(b) a dial assembly mounted on said gauge assembly having:
(i) a first member having a pivot pin attached thereto;
(ii) a dial magnet in magnetic &communication with said tank magnet and which is rotatably mounted on said pivot pin;
(iii) a reed switch assembly positioned operatively adjacent to said dial magnet comprising:
(iv) a reed switch; and
(v) a bias magnet positioned such that said reed switch is held in the first position when the poles of said dial and bias magnets are in a first orientation and will be held in a second position when the poles of the dial magnet and bias magnet are in a second orientation.
2. A dial assembly of claim 1 further comprising a cover defining a receptacle for receiving said reed switch assembly.
3. A dial assembly of claim 1 wherein in said first position of said reed switch the reeds of said reed switch are in contact.
4. A dial assembly of claim 1 wherein in said first position of said reed switch the reeds of said reed switch are in contact.
5. A gauge comprising:
a gauge assembly having:
(i) means for detecting an amount of a substance in a vessel;
(ii) means for generating a signal proportional to said amount of substance in said vessel;
(iii) a tank magnet for transmitting said signal to a dial assembly;
wherein said dial assembly comprises:
(i) a first member having a pivot pin attached thereto;
(ii) a dial magnet in magnetic communication with said tank magnet and which is rotatably mounted on said pivot pin;
(iii) a reed switch assembly positioned operatively adjacent to said dial magnet comprising:
(iv) a reed switch; and
(v) a bias magnet positioned such that said reed switch is held in the first position when the poles of said dial and bias magnets are in a first orientation and will be held in a second position when the poles of the dial magnet and bias magnet are in a second orientation.
6. A gauge of claim 5 further comprising a cover defining a receptacle for receiving said reed switch assembly.
7. A gauge of claim 5 wherein in said first position of said reed switch the reeds of said reed switch are in contact.
8. A gauge of claim 5 wherein in said first position of said reed switch the reeds of said reed switch are in contact.
9. A gauge comprising:
a gauge assembly having:
(i) a float for detecting an amount of a fluid in a vessel;
(ii) a transmitting shaft having a first end and a second end, wherein said second end is attached to said float such that movement of said float results in rotation of said transmitting shaft;
(iii) a tank magnet attached to said first end of said transmitting shaft;
a dial assembly comprising:
(i) a first member having a pivot pin attached thereto;
(ii) a dial magnet in magnetic communication with said tank magnet and which is rotatably mounted on said pivot pin;
(iii) a reed switch assembly positioned operatively adjacent to said dial magnet comprising:
(iv) a reed switch; and
(v) a bias magnet positioned such that said reed switch is held in the first position when the poles of said dial and bias magnets are in a first orientation and will be held in a second position when the poles of the dial magnet and bias magnet are in a second orientation.
10. A gauge of claim 9 further comprising a cover defining a receptacle for receiving said reed switch assembly.
11. A gauge assembly of claim 9 wherein in said first position of said reed switch the reeds of said reed switch are in contact.
12. A gauge assembly of claim 9 wherein in said first position of said reed switch the reeds of said reed switch are in contact.