Automotive oil level control apparatus
US6003778A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 17, 1998 |
| Grant date | Dec 21, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 17, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/125
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An oil level control valve (10) has a molded base (12) having an oil receiving aperture (12d) formed through a bottom wall (12e) with a circumscribing generally rectangular cover plate seat in which a cover plate (14) is removably received. A thermostatic element (16) in the form of a generally rectangular sheet is fastened to posts (12f) extending upwardly from sidewalls of the base by means of peg portions (12g, 12h) received through holes in the sheet and heat staked to the posts. The thermostatic element allows the cover plate to move away from the seat for optimum oil flow at low temperature conditions and restricts the valve opening as temperature of the oil increases to accommodate an increase in oil volume due to expansion in order to maintain the fluid level in the main sump of a transmission housing by allowing an increase in the fluid level of an auxiliary sump in accordance with target values for different flow rates. A second embodiment (10') shows the addition of a snap-on bracket (20) for convenient mounting of the control along with an associated installation tab (12k) for handling purposes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.