Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Patent
1982-02-03
1983-10-18
Caldwell, Sr., John W.
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
123196S, 123198D, 324 65P, 340 59, 340620, G08B 2100
Patent
active
044108850
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to a method of detecting the presence of a conductive fluid such as water in a chamber such as the oil pan of an internal combustion engine and apparatus for carrying out the method. A resilient flexible sensor probe is mounted in the oil drain and electrically connected to an alarm which is activated by current flow. The sensor probe has an outer electrode member with a portion formed of a helical coil through which an insulated wire runs to form an inner electrode member. The inner electrode member is connected to the alarm, while the outer electrode member is grounded to the engine. The sensor probe bends to a position where its inner end portion depends into contact with the bottom of the oil pan. The inner electrode member ends at a bare tip which is surrounded by an insulative sleeve which prevents direct contact with the bottom of the oil pan. The outer electrode member ends at a bare wire portion which is spaced a short distance from the tip of the inner electrode member. When the tip of the inner electrode member is covered by water, the circuit is completed either through the outer electrode or directly to the oil pan, and the warning alarm is activated. This dependent resilient flexible sensor probe structure has the advantage that the build up of insulative sludge is avoided by the constant motion of the inner end portion due to flexing of the sensor probe as a result of engine motion, as well as by relative longitudinal motion between the inner ends of the electrode members. Another advantage is that the inner end portion of the sensor probe contacts the bottom of the oil pan at its lowest point.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2229036 (1941-01-01), Bird et al.
patent: 2420177 (1947-05-01), Krall
patent: 2716165 (1955-08-01), Pfitzner
patent: 3582612 (1971-06-01), Siemianowski
patent: 4304132 (1981-12-01), Snaper
Caldwell Sr. John W.
Myer Daniel
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