Liquid level indicator
US3937084A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 26, 1974 |
| Grant date | Feb 10, 1976 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 26, 1994 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/8342
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A liquid level indicator for a liquid container, such as the crankcase oil reservoir of an internal combustion engine, comprises a source of fluid at a predetermined pressure and a fluid conduit system connected to the fluid source. A gage responsive to fluid pressure and a valve mechanism are coupled to the conduit system downstream of a restriction orifice in the system. The valve mechanism includes an outlet orifice for fluid in the system and a valve body that is movable axially of the orifice so as to vary its cross-sectional flow area. The valve body is coupled to a float that is mounted for limited vertical movement in the container so that when the liquid in the container is at any particular level within a predetermined range, the liquid exerts a buoyancy force on the float which is balanced by opposing forces, including the float weight and a force exerted by the pressurized fluid on the float through the valve body. The force exerted by the fluid is reflected in a corresponding fluid pressure in the conduit system between the restriction orifice and the outlet orifice. This pressure is a measure of the liquid level in the container.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.