Low oil sensor for an internal combustion engine

Patent · Tue Jul 05 04:00:00 EDT 1988

OSTI ID:6873849

Kuczenski, S R; DeBoth, R H

A fluid level sensor is described connected to the crankcase of an internal combustion engine, the sensor comprising: a housing defining a cavity, a diaphragm operator secured in the cavity and cooperating with the housing to define a first chamber and a second chamber; the first chamber at a reference pressure, switch means for actuating a circuit mounted in the first chamber and operable between a first position and a second position, the switch means having actuator means for moving the switch means, the actuator means being operable by the diaphragm; an over-center spring means for maintaining the switch means selectively at one of the first and second positions; the housing defining a fluid sensing port coupled to the engine crankcase to communicate fluid pressure between the second chamber and the engine crankcase; the diaphragm operator operable to engage and move the actuator and switch means to one of the first and second positions in response to a pressure differential between the first chamber and the second chamber above a predetermined level, the spring means holding the actuator and switch means in the one position.

• Assignee: Tecumseh Products Co., Tecumseh, MI
• Patent Number(s): US 4754732
• OSTI ID: 6873849
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330100* -- Internal Combustion Engines
ACTUATORS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DESIGN
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ENGINES
EQUIPMENT
HEAT ENGINES
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
LEVELS
LUBRICANTS
LUBRICATING OILS
LUBRICATION
MACHINE PARTS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
METERING
METERS
OILS
OPERATION
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PRESSURE DEPENDENCE
SPRINGS
SWITCHES