Metal deforming – By use of non-deforming work-gripping clamp and relatively... – By individually non-deforming clamps
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-19
2001-10-16
Williams, Hezron (Department: 2856)
Metal deforming
By use of non-deforming work-gripping clamp and relatively...
By individually non-deforming clamps
C073S29000R
Reexamination Certificate
active
06301947
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates in general to fluid level indicators. More particularly, but without restriction to the particular embodiment and/or use which is shown and described for purposes of illustration, the present invention relates to fluid level indicators that compensate for the fluid temperature.
2. Discussion
In a conventional automobile, the fluid level of the transmission and engine needs to be closely monitored. High or low fluid levels could have a detrimental effect on the performance and longevity of the vehicle. Typically, a vehicle will include a number of fluid level indicators, commonly referred to as dipsticks. Each dipstick is disposed so that one end thereof enters a reservoir in either the engine or transmission. A dipstick can easily be removed by its other end and used to measure the level of oil therein. The fluid level of the engine or transmission is indicative of the amount of oil, defined by height, that clings to the dipstick.
Typically, a dipstick has a plurality of marking to set desired operating levels or ranges. In most vehicles, a dipstick will have a high and a low marking. An oil level between the high and low marking is desired for optimal performance of the engine. Unfortunately, the volume of oil and other similar fluids is generally dependent on temperature. As an engine or a transmission is operating, a tremendous amount of heat is produced, some of which is transferred to the oil system. As the temperature of the fluid rises, the level of fluid in the reservoir rises. This causes a traditional fluid level indicator to read a higher value. This leads to a discrepancy of fluid level as read by a dipstick depending on the temperature of the fluid.
Many automotive manufacturers have provided instructions for checking fluid levels via a dipstick. Such instructions have included that oil should only be checked when the vehicle has been inoperable for a certain amount of time, or that oil should only be checked when the vehicle is operating. These conditions are postulated in an attempt to estimate fluid temperature. However, this is not always convenient, and furthermore, it is never truly known what temperature the fluid is at even with the aforementioned instructions.
There is, therefore, a need to provide a fluid level indicator that properly describes the desired fluid level dependent on temperature. There is also a need to provide a fluid level indicator that can be used to obtain an accurate reading independent of the operating state and history of the vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a principal objective of the present invention to provide a fluid level indicator that compensates for fluid temperature.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a truly unique fluid level indicator that provides markings that are dependent on fluid temperature.
It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a fluid level indicator that is accurate irrespective of the operating state and history of the vehicle.
In one form, the present invention provides a fluid level indicator that compensates for fluid temperature. The indicator includes an elongated shaft that is received by the fill tube of an apparatus. The shaft is adapted to contact the fluid at one end to measure the level of fluid in the apparatus. A reversible liquid crystal display is carried by the shaft and includes a plurality of bands. Each band has a defined height and is capable of being illuminated when the oil is within a certain temperature spectrum. When the band is at a temperature within its spectrum, the band illuminates, or somehow differentiates itself from those bands that are not within their illumination spectrum. At a specific temperature, certain bands, adjacent to one another, are illuminated to create a vertical range on the dipstick. The desired level of fluid in the transmission is defined by the vertical range created by the illuminated bands of the liquid crystal display.
In another form, the present invention provides a fluid level indicator that compensates for fluid temperature. The indicator includes an elongated shaft that is received by the fill tube of an apparatus. The shaft is adapted to contact the fluid at one end to measure the level of fluid in the apparatus. A reversible liquid crystal display is carried by the shaft and includes a top plurality of bands. Each of the top plurality of bands capable of being illuminated in a specified temperature range to produce a top marking by which to measure the maximum desired level of the fluid. The reversible liquid crystal display also includes a bottom plurality of bands. Each of the bottom plurality of bands capable of being illuminated in a specified temperature range to produce a bottom marking by which to measure the minimum desired level of the fluid at that temperature. The markings of the indicator effectively change with oil temperature.
Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates from a reading of the subsequent description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1374357 (1921-04-01), Linebarger
patent: 1515222 (1924-11-01), Reben
patent: 3360990 (1968-01-01), Greene et al.
patent: 3485100 (1969-12-01), Petersen
patent: 3704625 (1972-12-01), Seto et al.
patent: 4461175 (1984-07-01), Baumgart et al.
patent: 4843876 (1989-07-01), Holm
patent: 5076708 (1991-12-01), Pierson
patent: 5482373 (1996-01-01), Hutchinson
patent: 6125697 (2000-11-01), Holton et al.
Bacon, Jr. Edwin W.
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Williams Hezron
Wilson Katina M
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