GB673624A - Arrangement for indicating the level of oil in the crankcase of a motor-car and the like vehicle engine - Google Patents

Abstract

673,624. Electric indicating systems. LAURY, H. Oct. 11, 1950. [March 21, 1950 ; May 23, 1950]. No. 24842/50. Class 40 (i). [Also in Groups XVIII and XXVII] The oil level in a vehicle engine crankcase is measured in an auxiliary container connected by a pipe at the centre of gravity of the crankcase, the pipe having connections to reduce the surge of oil in the crankcase. The level is indicated on a suitably graduated ammeter 27 which measures the current passing through a variable resistance circuit, the resistance of the coil 15 being varied by contact wheels 22 coupled by a rod 12 to a float 11 in the auxiliary oil container 10 coupled by a pipe 9 to the crankcase at the drain hole. An alarm signal 29 is given when the oil level becomes too low operated by the wheel 22 dropping to make contact with a plate 24 let into the bottom of one of the vertical slots 17 which guide the wheels 22. The wheels 22 are. carried by a resilient fork 21. In Fig. 2 (not shown) the oil float is in a chamber cast on the side of a cast crankcase and connected by a pipe to the crankcase. In Fig. 3, a knurled wheel 55 connected to the float 53 tilts a bellcrank lever 57 carrying spring contacts 59 moving over an arcuate resistance coil 60 to affect the reading on the ammeter 65. An adjustable screwed stop 63 coupled by a spring 62 to 57 allows initial adjustment of the resistance and thus of the ammeter reading. In Fig. 4, the float 71 in one compartment 69 pivots a bellcrank lever 73 to 76 in the other compartment about 75 whereby contacts 77 move over the resistance 78. When the oil level falls too low, a contact 82 on the float completes a circuit through 83, 84 to operate an alarm lamp on the dashboard of a car.