摘要 |
<p>A "snap action" early warning bypass valve assembly (2) responsive to fluid pressure differentials functions as both an electrical switch to provide an indication at impending fluid bypass and as a mechanical valve to actually implement the fluid bypass. The valve assembly includes a piston (24) supported by a retaining surface (18,106) having a central bore (22,110) formed therein. The piston (24) contains a bypass aperture (36) and is shaped to present a differential sealing area (39) to fluid circulating within the central bore (22,110). A spring-biased bypass disc (42) covers the bypass aperture (36) to present a central sealing area (45) to fluid within the central bore (22,110). A first pressure differential acting simultaneously across the central (45) and differential (39) sealing areas forces piston (24) into contact with an electrical terminal pin (48,92), thus energizing an alarm circuit (48-64,90). A second, greater pressure differential acting across the central sealing area (45) alone pushes the bypass disc (42 ) away from the bypass aperture (36) to complete the bypass operation.</p> |