Combined oil level or condition sensor and sight oil level gage
US8365594B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 27, 2010 |
| Grant date | Feb 5, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 27, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01F23/02
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention provides an oil level or condition sensor featuring a housing and a baffle or plate arrangement arranged in the housing, where the baffle or plate arrangement forms a capacitor when the housing is filled with oil, the baffle or plate arrangement being responsive to a signal, for providing an oil level or condition sensor signal containing information about the level or condition of the oil in the housing. The baffle or plate arrangement may include one or more plates or a single or multiple star shaped baffles. The one or more plates or multiple star shaped baffles are spaced apart to form the capacitor. The level or condition of the oil within the baffle or plate arrangement changes the inductance. The single or multiple star shaped baffles each have a small hole in the center which provides a visual indication of the oil level. The housing has a transparent window. The inductance change can be measured and used to send alarms or warnings.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.