US2227555A - Oil supply indicating mechanism for internal combustion engines - Google Patents

Description

an, 7, 1941. w. M. ROBISON 2,227,555 OIL SUPPLY INDICATING MECHANISM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed May 29, 1939 fzzzdzrrllrlrll v r [III/ll 3 W1) Mm mmM Baa/(Sm,

Patented Jan. 7, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ML iilUPPLY INDICATING MECHANISM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES 6 Claims.

The present invention has for its primary object the provision of a manually operated mechanism for electrically suspendingthe operation of the ignition system of an internal combus' tion engine, when the oil supply therefor has be come diminished to a point where serious and costly damage might. result to the motor, unless the supply of oil isreplenished.

In carrying out the invention I comprehend a mechanism for the above mentioned purpose which is maintained normally inactive by the usual suction created in the oil supply system for the engine, and which mechanism is rendered operable when the suction ceases to exist incident to the reduction of the oil supply for the engine.

In accordance with the instant invention, the mechanism above referred to is included in an auxiliary electrical circuit with the ignition systern for the engine. and influenced by the usual 20 suction created in the oil supply system therefor, so that said mechanism is normally maintained inactive until the suction ceases to exist incident to the oil supply becoming substantially exhausted, whereupon the mechanism functions to cut out the ignition system and consequently stop the engine.

The invention also comprehends the use of a manually operated means for controlling the operation of the mechanism above mentioned when the oil supply for the engine has become substantially exhaustedso that the engine may be started under such condition, and permitted to operate at a comparatively low speed until an opportunity is had to replenish the oil supply.

.The nature and advantages of the invention will be better understood when the following de ail description is read in connection with the accompanying drawing, the invention residing in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as claimed.

In the drawing forming part of this application, like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views and wherein:

Figure 1' is a vertical sectional view through the suction controlled device.

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view partly in section.

Figure 3 is a similar view of a slightly modified form of the invention. 7 y

The instant invention is primarily intended for use as an attachment for motor vehicles, but its general application to internal combustion en gines is contemplated by the claims.

The mechanism constituting the subject mat- 55 ter of the present invention embodies an air tight casing Ill which may vary in size and construction without departing from the spirit of the invention. The casing is preferably in the nature of a small cylinder which communicates with the suction side of a conventional oil pump "(not 5 shown) in the oil supply system for an internal combustion engine. The casing II] is preferably provided with a threaded nipple ll with which the suction line H! is coupled in any suitable' manner as at l3. Mounted within the casing 10 in any desired manner is a partition ll of insulated material which supports electrical contacts J5. These contacts may be of any'suit able construction and supported in any manner by the partition I 4, with the contacts projecting beneath the latter as shown. The partition is also provided with a central opening through which slides a piston rod [6 having an annular groove to accommodate the contact plate or disk ll, thus affording the latter sufiicient freedom of movement to insure effective contact or engagement thereof with the contacts l5 under certain conditions. The piston rod I6 is yieldably mounted within the casing l0, being influenced in a downward direction by the usual suction created in the oil supply system, in a manner to be presently described, while the piston rod is moved in an upward direction by a suitable spring. Disposed within the casing II] is an diaphragm l8 connected with the piston rod l6. This diaphragm may be mounted in the casing in any suitable manner, but the casing I0 is preferably provided with an internal flange Ill, between which and the lower portion 20 of the casing the diaphragm is clamped. The adjacent endof the piston rod l6 passes through the diaphragm l8 and is secured thereto by washers 2| arranged above and below the diaphragm as illustrated in Figure 1. Interposed between the lower end of the piston rod and the bottom of the casing I0 is a coil spring 22 of proper strength and tension to move the piston rod l6 upwardly when the suction beneath the diaphragm ceases to exist. which of course occurs when the oil supply for the engine has become substantially exhaus'ted. As illustrated, one end of the spring is seated in a suitable pocket formed in the lower end of the casing and insulated therefrom.

Upon inspection of the drawing it will be noted to that the device above described is included in a normally open auxiliary circuit with the ignition system for the engine and controlled by a suitable switch. Obviously, the contacts l5 are connected with binding posts 23, one of which is as ignition system. The other binding post is connected by the wire 26 to a manually operated switch, the construction and purpose of which will be presently described.

The manually controlled switch may of course vary in construction and location without departing from the inventive idea, and that is herein shown and described is merely illustrative of preferred embodiments of the invention.

In the diagrammatic view Fig. 2, I have shown a switch of the push button type which is adapted to be mounted on a suitable support, ,such as for instance the dash board 21 o a motor operated vehicle. The switch embodi s a pair of spaced stationary contacts 28 between which operates the movable contact carried by the stem of the push button 29. These c ntactsare disposed within a suitable shell or casing attached to the support 21 as illustrated, the wire 26 of the auxiliary circuit being connected to one of the stationary contacts 28, while the other of these Stationary contacts N is grounded. A spring 30 surrounds the stem of the push button, being interposed between the push button proper and the support 21. This spring normally maintains the switch closed as illustrated.

As above stated, the invention is primarily intended or use on a motor operated vehicle, and in practice, when the engine-contains a suincient quantity oi oil, a suction is created in the casing l0 beneath the diaphragm through-thesuction line or pipe I2. Under these circumstances, the diaphragm i 8 is lowered by said vaccum against the tension of the spring 22, thereby holding the contact plate or disk I! spaced from the contacts l5, but with the switch above described closed. Consequently, the auxiliary circuit is rendered inoperative, so that the engine may be operated normally as long as it contains a suflicient quantity of oil. However, should the supply of oil become substantially exhausted, or reach a dangerously low level, the suction in the lower end of the casing l0 ceases to exist, whereupon the spring 22 moves the piston rod upwardly bringing the contact plate or disk ll into engagement with the contact I! thus closing the auxiliary circuit, including the coil 25, which of course electrically cuts out the ignition system, stopping the engine. Manifestly, when this occurs, the driver oi the vehicle is thus acquainted with the tact that the supply oimotor oil must be replenished.

However, the engine can'again be started un- I der such conditions by merely opening the push button switch, which is preferably located on 1 the dash board of the vehicle and within convenient reach of the driver. Again, ii'it is found necessary to drive the-vehicle to a service station for oil, the push button switch can be held open by the driver, and the vehicle driven at a comparatively low speed a reasonable distance without serious damage being. done to the engine. Obviously, when the push button switch is opened, the auxiliary circuit is rendered inactive.

In Figure 3 I have illustrated a slightly modifled form of the invention, in so far as the manually controlled switch is concerned. Otherwise, the invention is just the same as hereinabove described. In this embodiment of the invention, the manually controlled switch includes a block 3| adapted to be attached to some convenient part of the vehicle, and supports a contact finger 32 arranged in the path of movement of a conconnected by the wire 24 to the coil of said tact collar 33 adjustably mounted upon the throt tle operating rod 34. The wire 24 of the auxiliary circuit electrically connects the suction influenced device with the ignition coil 25, while the wire 26 connects the contact finger 32 with one 01' the stationary contacts I5 of the device as shown. By virtue of this contruction, when the oil supply in the engine becomes substantially exhausted, the piston rod I6 is elevated by the spring 22 causing the contact plate or disk I! to engage the contacts i5 of the device. However, the auxiliary circuit is not completed until the manually operated switch is closed. Maniiestly, when the contact collar 33 is brought into engagement with the contact finger 32, the auxiliary circuit is completed, thereby rendering the ignition system inactive causing the engine to stop. As above stated, the contact collar 33 is susceptible of longitudinal adjustment on the throttle operating rod 34 so that it can be set to regulate or vary the predetermined maximum speed of the engine at which the ignition system is rendered inactive, and at the same time permit normal operation of the ignition system at a comparatively low engine speed, which will not do serious damage to the engine, until an oppor- I tunity is afforded within a reasonable time to replenish the supply of engine 011.

While it is believed that from the foregoing description the nature and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent, I desire to have it understood that I do not limit myself to what is herein shown or described, and that such changes may be resorted to when desired as fall within the scope of what is claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination with an internal combustion engine and an ignition system therefor, of

. cutting out said system when the engine oil supply becomes substantially exhausted, saidmech anism including a normally open auxiliary circuit connected with-said ignition system, a manually operable switch for closing said auxiliary circuit at a predetermined aximum speed of the engine, and means whereby said switch can be adjusted for varying the predetermined maximum speed of the engine at which the operation of said ignition system is suspended.

3. The combination with an internal combustion engine, and an ignition system therefor, of a normally open auxiliary circuit, a suction controlled device included in said circuit for initially connecting the circuit with the ignition system when the engne oil supply becomes substantially exhausted, and a manually operable switch for closing said auxiliary circuit and thereby electrically cutting out said ignition system at a predetermined speed of the engine.

4. The combination with an internalcombustion engine, and an ignition system therefor, of a normally open auxiliary circuit, a suction controlled device included in said auxiliary circuit for partially connecting the circuit with the igni-- tion system when the engine oil supply becomes .substantially exhausted, a manually operable switch for completing said auxiliary circuit and thereby electrically cutting out said ignition system at a predetermined speed of the engine, and means whereby said switch can be adjusted for varying the predetermined maximum speed of the engine at which the operation of the ignition system is suspended.

5. The combination with an internal combustion engine, and an ignition system therefor, of a normally open auxiliary circuit, a suction controlled device included in said auxiliary circuit, and embodying an air tight casing, a yieldably mounted pistonrod operating in said casing to partially provide an electrical connection between the casing and said ignition system, when the oil supply for the engine has become substantially exhausted, said piston rod being normally maintained by suction in an inactive position, and an adjustable manually operable switch for completing said auxiliary circuit at a selected predetermined speed of the engine, and thereby electrically cut out said ignition system.

6. The combination with an internal combus tion engine having a throttle operating rod, a suction line, and an ignition system, of a normally open auxiliary circuit electrically connected with said ignition system, a suction controlled device included in said auxiliary circuit for partially closing thelatter when the oil supply for the engine has become substantially exhausted, and an adjustable switch controlled by the movement of said throttle operating rod for completing said auxiliary circuit and simultaneously cutting out the ignition system at a predetermined speed of the engine.

WILLIAM M. ROBISON.

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