E-11 SWITCH ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A switch assembly includes an automatic type 11 switch having 1 and 2 contacts and 3 and 4 contacts with the 2 and 3 contacts being shorted together, configured to respond to a water level of a boiler, short the 1 and 2 contacts when the water level is high, short the 3 and 4 contacts when the water level is low; and an electronic circuit board having a processor configured to sense signaling containing information about the 1, 2/3 and 4 contacts, and provide control signaling containing information about the water level of the boiler. The electronic circuit board also includes a relay configured to respond to the control signaling, and turn the relay on/off.

Claims

1. A switch assembly comprising: an automatic type 11 switch having contacts and configured to respond to a water level of a liquid heating device, the contacts having a first pair of contacts configured to short when the water level is high, the contacts having a second pair of contacts configured to short when the water level is low, a contact from the first pair of contacts and a corresponding contact from the second pair of contacts configured to short together; and an electronic circuit board having a processor configured to receive signaling containing information about the first pair of contacts and the second pair of contacts, and provide control signaling containing information about the liquid level of the liquid heating device.

2. A switch assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first pair of contacts and the second pair of contacts include different pairs of contacts.

3. A switch assembly according to claim 1, wherein the contacts comprise four contacts, including contacts “1”, “2”, “3” and “4”; the first pair of contacts comprises contacts “1” and “2”; the second pair of contacts comprises contacts “3” and “4”; and contact “2” from the first pair of contacts and corresponding contact “3” from the second pair of contacts are configured to short together.

4. A switch assembly according to claim 3, wherein the automatic type 11 switch is configured to short the contacts “1” and “2” when the liquid level is sufficient in liquid heating device.

5. A switch assembly according to claim 3, wherein the automatic type 11 switch is configured to short the contacts “3” and “4” when the liquid level is low in the liquid heating device.

6. A switch assembly according to claim 3, wherein the automatic type 11 switch is configured to short the contacts “1” and “2” and the contacts “3” and “4” for a small duration until a liquid feeder is feeding liquid to the liquid heating device.

7. A switch assembly according to claim 3, wherein the electronic circuit board is configured to couple or connect to contacts “1”, “2” and “4” and sense if either the first pair of contacts is shorted or the second pair of contacts is shorted, and determine the liquid level of the liquid heating device, including where the processor is configured to provide interrogation signaling to contact “2” and receive corresponding signaling back from either contact “1” or “4”.

8. A switch assembly according to claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit board comprises some combination of a reset switch, a relay, a power converter, and one or more LEDs for providing one or more status indications.

9. A switch assembly according to claim 8, wherein the relay is configured to respond to the control signaling, and turn the relay on/off and/or provide a NC-burner contact relay signal.

10. A switch assembly according to claim 9, wherein the relay is also configured to respond to a com contact signal, and provide a no-contact relay signal.

11. A switch assembly according to claim 8, wherein the one or more LEDs comprises a power LED; and the processor is configured to provide power LED control signaling to turn on the power LED as soon as the switch assembly gets initialized.

12. A switch assembly according to claim 8, wherein the one or more LEDs comprises a low water status LED; and the processor is configured to provide low water status LED control signaling to turn on the low water status LED when the boiler water level is low.

13. A switch assembly according to claim 8, wherein the reset switch is configured to be reset be a user, and provide a reset switch signal containing information that the manual reset switch is reset.

14. A switch assembly according to claim 13, wherein the processor is configured to respond to the reset switch signal, and provide the LED control signaling for turning the low water status LED off when the liquid level has risen.

15. A switch assembly comprising: an automatic type 11 switch having 1 and 2 contacts and 3 and 4contacts with the 2 and 3 contacts being shorted together, configured to respond to a water level of a boiler, short the 1 and 2 contacts when the water level is high, short the 3 and 4 contacts when the water level is low; and an electronic circuit board having a processor configured to sense signaling containing information about the 1, 2/3 and 4 contacts, and provide control signaling containing information about the water level of the boiler.

16. A switch assembly according to claim 15, wherein the electronic circuit board comprises a relay configured to respond to the control signaling, and turn the relay on/off.

17. A switch assembly according to claim 16, wherein the relay is also configured to respond to a com contact signal, and provide a no-contact relay signal and a NC-burner contact relay signal.

18. A switch assembly according to claim 15, wherein the electronic circuit board comprises a power LED; and the processor is configured to provide power LED control signaling to turn on the power LED as soon as the switch assembly gets initialized.

19. A switch assembly according to claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit board comprises a low water status LED; and the processor is configured to provide low water status LED control signaling to turn on the low water status LED when the boiler water level is low.

20. A switch assembly according to claim 15, wherein the electronic circuit board comprises a manual reset switch, configured to be reset be a user, and provide a manual reset switch signal containing information that the manual reset switch is reset.

21. A switch assembly according to claim 20, wherein the processor is configured to respond to the manual reset switch signal, and provide the LED control signaling for turning the low water status LED off when the boiler water level has risen.

22. A switch assembly according to claim 15, wherein the automatic type 11 switch is configured to short the 1 and 2 contacts and the 3 and 4 contacts for a small duration until a water feeder is feeding water to the boiler.

23. A method comprising: configuring an automatic type 11 switch with 1 and 2 contacts and 3 and 4 contacts with the 2 and 3 contacts being shorted, and also configuring the automatic type 11 switch to respond to a water level of a boiler, and either short the 1 and 2 contacts when the water level is high, or short the 3 and 4 contacts when the water level is low; and configuring an electronic circuit board with a processor to sense signaling containing information about the 1, 2/3 and 4 contacts, and provide control signaling containing information about the water level of the boiler.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0029] The drawing includes the following Figures, not necessarily drawn to scale, including:

[0030] FIG. 1 includes FIGS. 1A and 1B, where FIG. 1A shows a diagram of a No. 11M switch having contacts/terminals “1” and “2” coupled in a normal water level having contacts/terminals “2” and “4” coupled in a low water cut-off alarm level, and having a reset button; and where FIG. 1B shows a diagram of the No. 11M switch having contacts/terminals “1” thru “4” coupled to a burner, an alarm and a transformer (optional) having neutral and hot lines.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a system block diagram of a new E-11M switch assembly, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a diagram of a functionality table for the E-11 switch assembly shown in FIG. 1, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0033] In the Figures, similar parts are labeled with similar reference numerals. Moreover, not every part is labelled with a reference numeral and lead line in every Figure, so as to reduce clutter in the drawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 2

[0034] FIG. 2 shows a switch assembly generally indicated as 10, e.g., featuring a new and unique combination of an automatic type 11 switch 12 and an electronic circuit board 14.

[0035] The automatic type 11 switch 12 may include a first pair of contacts “1” and “2” and a second pair of contacts “3” and “4” (labeled accordingly as shown) with the contacts “2” and “3” being shorted together, e.g., by a lead line labeled “2/3”, configured to respond to a water level of a boiler, short the first pair of contacts “1” and “2” when the water level is high, short the 3 and 4 contacts when the water level is low.

[0036] The electronic circuit board 14 may include a processor 14a configured to sense signaling containing information about the contacts “1”, “2/3” (i.e., shorted together) and “4”, and provide control signaling S.sub.c containing information about the water level of the boiler. By way of example, and consistent with that set forth below, the control signaling S.sub.c may control the operation of one or more components 14b, 14c, 14d, 14e, 14f in the electronic board 14.

[0037] It is note for the sake of completeness that the terms “contact” and “terminal” are used interchangeably.

Type 11 Automatic Switch 12

[0038] By way of further example, the type 11 automatic switch 12 includes automatic type 11 switch contacts “1” thru “4” that will be controlled through boiler water level. In FIG. 2, contacts/terminals “2” and “3” are coupled, connected or shorted together as shown. In operation, the type 11 automatic switch 12 will switch its contacts depending on the water level. For example, when the boiler has sufficient water, the type 11 automatic switch 12 will short its “1” and “2” contacts. When the water level is low, the type 11 automatic switch 12 will short its “3” and “4” contacts. When the water is switching from an inwater to an outwater condition, both contacts “1” and “2” are short and contacts “3” and “4” are short, e.g. for a small duration, till a water feeder is feeding water to the boiler. The electronic board 14 connected to switch contacts “1”, “2”, and “4” will sense this terminal configuration (e.g., shorted or not shorted) and determine the water level, e.g., in the boiler, based upon the same.

Electronic Board 14

[0039] The electronic board 14 consists of, or may be configured with, a processor 14a, a reset switch 14b, a on/off relay 14c, a power converter 14d and LEDs for providing one or more status indications, e.g., including a power LED 14e for providing a power on/off LED indication and a low water status LED 14f for providing a low water status LED indication. Depending on automatic 11 switch contacts status, the processor 14a will sense the contacts, take an appropriate decision by tuning on/off the relay 14c and by turning on/off the LEDs 14e, 14f. In FIG. 2, two LEDs 14e, 14f are used for power and low water control status. The power LED 14e will be turn ON as soon as switch assembly 10 gets initialized. The low water status LED 14f will be turn ON when the water level is low, e.g., in the boiler. The LED 14f will remained ON unless the reset switch 14b is pressed to meet CSD-1 compliance, e.g., even if the water level has risen. By way of example, when the user presses the manual reset switch 14b, the manual reset switch 14b provides signal s.sub.mr to the processor 14a indicating to the processor that the user reset the manual reset switch 14b. A dry contact gives flexibility to installer/user for different power and Boiler potentials.

[0040] Reference labels S.sub.1, S.sub.2/3, S.sub.4 indicate the signaling exchange between the processor 14a and the contacts/terminals “1” thru “4”. By way of example, and consistent with that shown in FIG. 2, signaling S.sub.1 and S.sub.4 may be received from contacts “1” and “4” respectively. In comparison, signaling S.sub.2/3 may be provided from the processor 14a to contact “2”, e.g., as interrogation signaling to determine the water level. By way of example, if the processor 14a provides the interrogation signaling S.sub.2/3 to contact “2” and receives suitable signaling S.sub.1, then the processor 14a may determine that the boiler has sufficient water since contacts “1” and “2” are shorted. Alternatively, and by way of further example, if the processor 14a provides the interrogation signaling to contact “2” and receives suitable signaling S.sub.4, then the processor may determine that the water level is low since contacts “3” and “4” are shorted.

[0041] By way of still further example, the type 11 automatic switch 12 and the electronic board 14 may be packed inside a mechanical enclosure generally indicated as 20 which can be retrofit to existing system low water controllers.

[0042] Such a combination according to the present invention has multiple benefits over the mechanical reset switch, e.g., including one or more of the following: [0043] A. To overcome undesirable manufacturing or assembly issues; [0044] B. To reduce the overall switch cost; [0045] C. To enable a retrofit to existing mechanical low water controls; [0046] D. To provide a power LED indication; [0047] E. To provide a low water status LED indication; and [0048] F. To provide dry contacts.

FIG. 3

[0049] FIG. 3 shows a functionality table setting forth the functionality related to the operation of the E-11M switch assembly.

[0050] The functionality table includes rows labeled Functional and CSD compliance.

[0051] The functionality table includes columns of testing function(s), e.g., including Power, Water condition, automatic 11 switch (e.g., 1&2, 3&4), manual reset button, relay contacts (e.g., burner no-contacts and alarm NC-contact), and LED status (e.g., red LED and Green LED).

[0052] The functional row includes two sets of functional conditions for the testing functions, as follows: [0053] The first set of functional conditions includes: the power (on), the water condition (inwater), the automatic 11 switch (1&2 (short)), the automatic 11 switch (3&4 (open)), manual reset button (off), the relay contacts (burner no-contacts (close)), the relay contacts (alarm no-contact (open)), LED status (Red LED (blinks till Delay on Make (DOM) and off)), and LED status (Green LED (on)). [0054] The second set of functional conditions includes: the power (on), the water condition (outwater), the automatic 11 switch (1&2 (open)), the automatic 11 switch (3&4 (short)), manual reset button (off), the relay contacts (burner no-contacts (open)), the relay contacts (alarm no-contact (close)), LED status (Red LED (blinks till DOB and on)), and LED status (Green LED (on)).
The CSD compliance row includes three sets of CSD compliance conditions for the testing functions, as follows: [0055] The first set of CSD compliance conditions includes: the power (off), the water condition (outwater), the automatic 11 switch (1&2 (open)), the automatic 11 switch (3&4 (short)), manual reset button (off), the relay contacts (burner no-contacts (open)), the relay contacts (alarm no-contact (close)), LED status (Red LED (off)), and LED status (Green LED (off)). [0056] The second set of CSD compliance conditions includes: the power (on), the water condition (inwater), the automatic 11 switch (1&2 (short)), the automatic 11 switch (3&4 (open)), manual reset button (off), the relay contacts (burner no-contacts (open)), the relay contacts (alarm no-contact (close)), LED status (Red LED (on)), and LED status (Green LED (on)). [0057] The third set of CSD compliance conditions includes: the power (on), the water condition (inwater), the automatic 11 switch (1&2 (short)), the automatic 11 switch (3&4 (open)), manual reset button (on and upon release), the relay contacts (burner no-contacts (close)), the relay contacts (alarm no-contacts (open)), LED status (Red LED (blink LED 4 times and blink until DOM and OFF)), and LED status (Green LED (blink LED 4 times)).

The Processor 14a

[0058] By way of example, the functionality of the processor 14a may be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. In a typical software implementation, the processor 14a would include one or more microprocessor-based architectures having, e. g., at least one signal processor or microprocessor. A person skilled in the art would be able to program such a microcontroller (or microprocessor)-based implementation to perform the functionality described herein without undue experimentation. The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular implementation using technology either now known or later developed in the future. The scope of the invention is intended to include implementing the functionality of the processor 14a as stand-alone processor or processor module, as separate processor or processor modules, as well as some combination thereof.

[0059] The processor 14a may also include other signal processor circuits or components, e.g. including random access memory (RAM) and/or read only memory (ROM), input/output devices and control, and data and address buses connecting the same, and/or at least one input processor and at least one output processor.

The Other Components in the Electronic Board 14

[0060] The other components in the electronics board 14 are known in the art, including the manual switch 14b, the relay 14c, the power converter 14d, the LEDs 14e, 14f for indicating the power and lower water status. The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular type or kind of such components. Moreover, one skilled in the art would be able to implement the underlying functionality without undue experimentation, e.g., consistent with that disclosed herein.

THE SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

[0061] It should be understood that, unless stated otherwise herein, any of the features, characteristics, alternatives or modifications described regarding a particular embodiment herein may also be applied, used, or incorporated with any other embodiment described herein. Also, the drawing herein is not drawn to scale.

[0062] Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to exemplary embodiments thereof, the foregoing and various other additions and omissions may be made therein and thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.