Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Patent
1994-02-03
1995-03-28
Hofsass, Jeffery A.
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
73 492, 73295, 73290R, G08B 2100
Patent
active
054021103
ABSTRACT:
A system such as one for detecting when a hydraulic fluid system adapted to a turf care machine, has developed a leak and to warn the machine operator of such a leak before an appreciable amount of hydraulic fluid is allowed to leak from the system. The system includes a reservoir for holding a quantity of hydraulic fluid. The reservoir is connected via a connecting tube or hose to an expansion tank mounted adjacent to the reservoir. The expansion tank includes a fitting having an elongated tube extending down into the expansion tank. The end of this tube is maintained substantially below the level of hydraulic fluid in the expansion tank during operation of the turf care machine to which it is attached. As the machine is operated, the hydraulic fluid expands with rising temperature, and the connecting tube communicates the expanding fluid to the expansion tank. When operation of the machine is discontinued the hydraulic fluid contracts as it cools. As the hydraulic fluid contracts, the hydraulic fluid in the expansion tank, is automatically drawn by a siphoning action through the elongated tube within the expansion tank through the connecting tube and back into the reservoir. A float type fluid level sensor is provided and mounted to measure the level of hydraulic fluid within the expansion tank. The float level sensor sends an electronic signal corresponding to the fluid level in the expansion tank to a microcomputer based monitoring unit. The monitoring unit also senses the fluid temperature and interprets these electronic signals and, compensating for volumetric fluctuations due to the changing fluid temperature, and determines if conditions exist which indicate a hydraulic fluid leak exists. If such conditions exist, the monitoring unit produces a warning signal which is communicated to the vehicle operator.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3438247 (1967-06-01), Lotti et al.
patent: 3568705 (1971-03-01), Boyadjieff et al.
patent: 3576959 (1971-05-01), Bogosoff
patent: 3667605 (1972-06-01), Zielinski
patent: 3685531 (1972-08-01), Byford
patent: 3708245 (1973-01-01), King
patent: 4020481 (1977-04-01), Nakagawa
patent: 4057700 (1977-11-01), Nakashima
patent: 4090396 (1978-05-01), O'Brien
patent: 4152925 (1979-05-01), Lindh
patent: 4274328 (1981-06-01), Pedersen
patent: 4522109 (1985-06-01), Marchi et al.
patent: 4522167 (1985-06-01), Hurner
patent: 4549429 (1985-10-01), Kurt
patent: 4563674 (1986-01-01), Kobayashi
patent: 4571987 (1986-02-01), Horner
patent: 4590462 (1986-05-01), Moorehead
patent: 4591837 (1986-05-01), Martinez
patent: 4611620 (1986-09-01), Wang
patent: 4732035 (1988-03-01), Lagergren et al.
patent: 4750775 (1988-06-01), Miller
patent: 4781057 (1988-11-01), Hyfantis, Jr. et al.
patent: 4811601 (1989-03-01), Tolan
patent: 4827762 (1989-05-01), Hasselmann
patent: 4852054 (1989-07-01), Mastandrea
patent: 4961064 (1990-10-01), Hara
patent: 4987769 (1991-01-01), Peacock et al.
patent: 5021665 (1991-06-01), Ames
patent: 5156042 (1992-10-01), Carlin et al.
patent: 5187973 (1993-02-01), Kunze et al.
patent: 5315529 (1994-05-01), Farmer
Bednar Richard D.
Oliver Joseph J.
Young Christopher L.
Hofsass Jeffery A.
Lieu Julie
Ransomes America Corporation
LandOfFree
Hydraulic fluid leak detection system and method does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Hydraulic fluid leak detection system and method, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Hydraulic fluid leak detection system and method will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2253583