Patent · US Expired

Low engine oil sensing switch

US4584977A · kind A · utility

6Cited by
6References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 1, 1985
Grant dateApr 29, 1986
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 1, 2005

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF02B3/06
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A pneumatic switch (25) responsive to the vacuum in a closed crankcase (20) of a reciprocating piston engine (15) for indicating when there is less than a predetermined quantity of oil (21) in the crankcase. The switch includes a housing (30) defining a cylinder (35), a closed end (48) and an open end (74). A piston (36) reciprocates and rotates in the cylinder through a path determined by a cam (51) and a follower (52). Crankcase vacuum is applied to a chamber (47) between the piston and the closed housing end to move the piston against a calibrated spring (50). An electric switch (70, 71 and 76) indicates when the piston is in the portion of its path of motion when the engine is operating and there is less than the predetermined quantity of oil in the crankcase.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.