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Apparatus includes a spindle having an outer surface configured with a surface finish that has openings/grooves, the outer surface also having an outer diameter; and also includes a switch target arrangement having a switch target in combination a target ring configured to be installed in the switch

Apparatus includes a spindle having an outer surface configured with a surface finish that has openings/grooves, the outer surface also having an outer diameter; and also includes a switch target arrangement having a switch target in combination a target ring configured to be installed in the switch target so as to form the at least one switch target arrangement, and is also configured with an aperture having an inner diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter of the surface finish of the spindle, so that when the at least one switch target arrangement is installed over the spindle, interference causes at least a portion of the target ring to deflect into a groove/space of the surface finish of the spindle so as to energize the target ring to grip the surface finish of the spindle to secure the switch target when the spindle moves.

대표청구항 ▼

1. Apparatus comprising: a housing having at least one switch sensor contained therein;a spindle having an outer surface configured with a surface finish that has alternating annular ridges and grooves/spaces formed along its longitudinal axis, the outer surface having an outer diameter; andat least

1. Apparatus comprising: a housing having at least one switch sensor contained therein;a spindle having an outer surface configured with a surface finish that has alternating annular ridges and grooves/spaces formed along its longitudinal axis, the outer surface having an outer diameter; andat least one switch target arrangement comprised of: a switch target, anda target ring configured or installed in the switch target to form the at least one switch target arrangement, and also configured with an aperture having an inner diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter of the outer surface of the spindle, the switch target with the target ring installed together over the spindle in an energized position, where an interference between the target ring and the spindle causes at least a portion of the target ring to deflect into at least one groove/space of the surface finish of the spindle and energize the target ring to grip the surface finish of the spindle to secure the at least one switch target arrangement to the spindle, the switch sensor configured to sense the switch target installed on the spindle in the energized position. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switch target is configured from a metal or plastic material. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the target ring is configured from Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), nylon, composite, an elastomer or other plastic material. 4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the surface finish comprises alternating peeks and valleys configured to form the alternating annular ridges and grooves/spaces. 5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switch target is configured with a gap that allows the portion of the target ring to deflect into the at least one groove/space of the surface finish of the spindle. 6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switch target is configured with a circumferential inner channel, and the target ring is configured or installed in the circumferential inner channel of the switch target to form the at least one switch target arrangement. 7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switch target is molded about the target ring so as to form the at least one switch target arrangement. 8. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the spindle moves up and down between a full downward position and a full upward position. 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the switch sensor comprises a mechanical sensor or a proximity sensor. 10. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a first bracket stop configured to allow the switch target to stay in a correct sensing position, or a second bracket stop configured to allow a second switch target to stay in a second correct sensing position. 11. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the target ring is configured to apply a mechanical gripping force against the spindle so that the at least one switch target arrangement can be axially reconfigured or repositioned based at least partly on the surface finish of the spindle and the amount of material interference between the spindle and the target ring. 12. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the surface finish is configured with a corrugated outer surface having alternating annular ridges and grooves/spaces formed along its longitudinal axis. 13. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the target ring comprises an inner rim configured to form the aperture and to deflect into the at least one groove/space of the surface finish of the spindle. 14. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one switch target arrangement comprises a plurality of switch target arrangements, each switch target arrangement being installed over the spindle to be sensed by a respective switch sensor. 15. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a valve, including a diaphragm valve. 16. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises an adapter configured to receive the spindle and allow the spindle to move linearly therein;the housing is configured to receive the adapter; andthe switch sensor is configured to sense the switch target. 17. A valve comprising: a housing having at least one switch sensor contained therein;a spindle configured with a corrugated outer surface having alternating annular ridges and grooves/spaces formed along its longitudinal axis and also having an outer diameter; anda switch target arrangement comprised of: a switch target, anda target ring configured or installed in the switch target to form the at least one switch target arrangement, and also configured with an aperture having an inner diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter of the corrugated outer surface of the spindle, the switch target with the target ring installed together over the spindle in an energized position, where an interference between the target ring and the spindle causes a portion of the target ring to deflect into at least one groove/space of the corrugated outer surface of the spindle and energize the target ring to grip the corrugated outer surface of the spindle to secure the at least one switch target arrangement to the spindle, the switch sensor configured to sense the switch target installed on the spindle in the energized position. 18. A valve according to claim 17, wherein the switch target is configured from a metal or plastic material. 19. A valve according to claim 17, wherein the target ring is configured from Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or nylon. 20. A valve according to claim 17, wherein the switch target is configured with a gap that allows the target ring to deflect into the at least one groove/space of the corrugated outer surface of the spindle. 21. Apparatus comprising: a housing having at least one switch sensor contained therein;a spindle having an outer surface configured with a surface finish that has alternating annular ridges and grooves/spaces formed along its longitudinal axis, the outer surface having an outer diameter; andat least one switch target arrangement comprised of: a switch target, andan interference member configured in the switch target to form the at least one switch target arrangement, the interference member being configured with at least one portion, the switch target with the target ring installed together over the spindle in an energized position, where an interference between the interference member and the spindle causes the at least one portion of the interference member to engage into at least one groove/space of the surface finish of the spindle and grip the surface finish of the spindle to secure the at least one switch target arrangement to the spindle, the switch sensor configured to sense the switch target installed on the spindle in the energized position. 22. Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the switch target is configured from a metal or plastic material. 23. Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the interference member is configured from Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), nylon, composite, an elastomer or other plastic material. 24. Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the surface finish comprises alternating peeks and valleys configured to form the alternating annular ridges and grooves/spaces. 25. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the corrugated outer surface comprises alternating peeks and valleys configured to form the alternating annular ridges and grooves/spaces.