US1659890A - Signal system - Google Patents

Description

J. NELSON SIGNAL SYSTEM Feb. 21, 192s.

Filed lJuly lO, 1925 www@ - is associated with the motor 'on line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Reemer! Feb. 21, 192s.

UNITED STATES JENNINGS 1\T.'ilIS0N,l 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SIGNAL SYSTEM. l

Application filed July 10, 1925. Serial No. 42,631.

This invention relates to a signal system which may be used with particular advantage in the operation of an automobile. It

lubricating system, and includes in its assembly an indicator which may be located close to.` the operator.

A primary purpose of the present signal system is to convey a warning 'whenever there is a Jfailure of oil pressure. Foi` safe operation,'a certain pressure should be maintained in the lubricating system of any motor. If the pressure, therefore, falls below a safety limit, or ceases altogether, the operator should be warned immediately so that the motor may be stopped to thereby avoid injury to its moving parts. The signal system of my invention is accordingly designed to afford an indication of any such changes in oil pressure conditions as call for an iinmediate shutting down of the power plant.

A preierred embodiment o my invention is shown in the accompanying. drawing in the manner following:

Figure 1 is a central vertical section through the switch component; 'i

Fig. 2 is a transverse secion therethrough Fig. 3 is a layout of the entire system including the electrical connections which eX- tend between its component units.

The switch A shown in Fig. 1 includes a tubularhousing vwhereinis a vertically disposed cylindrical chamber 4. An inlet 5 to the chamber is somewhat higher elevation. In connection with the inlet is a pipe 7 to which oilis delivered from a pump B, a second pipe 8 extending from the outlet `6 to deliver 'oil to the Vvarious points desired.v The pump is connected with a motorf(not shown) so as to be driven thereby to furnish a circulation of oil to its several bearings, etc.-

Slidably tted within the chamber 4 is a plunger 9. Under conditions of little or no pressure, the plunger will drop sothat its lower end is rested upon a cross bolt 101 .which extends transversely through the bolt assembly is such that the two bushings' lThe conductor 19 is also vtem is as follows: With provided near the lower endy thereofas is also an outlet 6 at a point of signal is inactive,

are held snugly .within their seats to make an oil-tight tit, when the nut is I'tightened upon the bolt. When the plunger is rested against the bolt, the circuit is, vof course, oompleted to the ground.

The upper end of the housing which is open is threaded to receive a closure cap15 which is fitted with the aid of a gasket 16 `so as to render .this connection oil-tight. Within the closure cap is a chamber 17 eX- tending above the upper end of the housing so as to communicate with a by-pass 18 which extends vertically through the housing wall to connect with' the outlet 6.

The conductor 14 leads to a signal device C whichmay conveniently be a lamp, buzzer, or the like.' From this'si al a-connection 19 is carried to one pole ogg motor ignition switch D. From its other pole a conductor 20 leads to a source of electrical energy E. in connection with an ignition coil F. A'wiring diagram in which the above described connections are contained is set forth in Fig. 3, and is suggested as one which is suitable for the purpose of this invention. t

The operation of the present signal sysclosing of the ignition switch, a circuit is completed through the si al C and switch A to the ground where y the signal is set in operation. As soon as the motor is running under-its own power, however, the pump B sends oil under Y pressure through the pipe 7 to lift the plunger 9, thereby opening the switch. The plunger may rise inthe housing to about the height indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1, where a passage is cleared for the circulation of oil through' to the outlet 6. The plunger remain-"in this position indefinitely, that is, as long as the oil pump continues to function. While so elevated, the thus indicating the proper functioning of 'the' oil system.

If, for any reason, whether through failure of the` pump, insuiiicient oil, or otherwise, the pressure should fall below the amount requisite for the continued suspension of the plunger, the circuit through the conductor 14. willbe reestablished tooperate the signal. The warning thus given is informaltive of a change in conditions which calls sov signal system will perform a useful service, as, for example, when the operator prepares to leave the car in the belief that the ignition switch is turned'oif when .the engine is stopped. Should this not be the case, the signal'will be operating, thus warning him that current is still passing through the ignition coil. Likewise should'the operator stop his automobile, where there is considerable noiseabout him, his engine might stop without his being aware of that fact. With the present signal system, however, this could not happen,- because the operator would be warned at once of the true conditions.

It will be noted that the present/switch A. comprises but one moving-part, namely, the

L, plunger 9. As the surfaces against which itv moves are constantly iushed with oil, it requires no lubrication on its own account..

Should there'be a slight leaka e of oil, past the upper end ofthe plunger, t is will be returned tothe outlet 6 through the by-pass 18. I prefer that the movement of the plunger should be in afvertical direction so 'as to utilize the force ofgr'avit'y rather than a spring to oppose the oil pressure which is exertedupon the under side of the plunger.

` rlhis makes for simplicity and economy and also for greater durability in the structure. The cross bolt l2 withY which the plunger makes electrical contact serves also' as a stop 4which limits downward movement of the plunger to a pointwhere oil is always permitted to enter the chamber 4 -through the inlet 5 to exert an upward pressure on the plunger. By combining and' arran "ng the parts in the manner described, il redgiice to a minimum the numberlof elements which are necessary in the operation of the present device. lt may, of course, be variously modi tied, but inso far as such changes respond to theA terms of the lap nded claims, l would include them allwithin the scope of this chamber to open or close the outlet in response i,

to variations in pressure of oil entering through thelinlet, and means engagedhy the plunger when closing the outlet to establish' an electrical circuit, substantially .as described.

2. ln a pipeline, an interposed housing having a chamber through which Huid is circulated, there being inlet and outlet connections to the housing chamber, a bolt extending throughvthe housing with its opposite ends disposed exteriorly thereof, a pair of bushings formingmountings for the bolt and each seated within. an opening in the housing walls, a head on one end of the bolt, a nut screw threaded on the other bolt end and adapted, when tightened to hold the two bushings closely within their seats in a manner whereby leakage of oil is prevented, and

means movable within the housing chamber in response to variations in VHuid pressure A adapted with failure in such pressure to con^ tact with the bolt wherebyianelectrical circuit is completed, substantially asdescribed# Qiniviiiivcfs itntsoii.

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