Apparatus and method for monitoring liquid levels

An apparatus to indicate a low level of liquid in a vessel, such as an automobile crankcase. A light-emitting diode and a phototransistor are coupled at the crankcase so that the light received by the phototransistor varies with rising or falling oil levels. The diode has a given maximum current rat...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author MARKUS; JAMES A
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
Published 22.08.1989
Subjects
BLASTING
CRANKCASE VENTILATING
ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL
HEATING
LIGHTING
LUBRICATING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
LUBRICATING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL
MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL
MEASURING
MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUIDLEVEL
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
METERING BY VOLUME
PHYSICS
STEAM ENGINES
TESTING
WEAPONS
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Summary:An apparatus to indicate a low level of liquid in a vessel, such as an automobile crankcase. A light-emitting diode and a phototransistor are coupled at the crankcase so that the light received by the phototransistor varies with rising or falling oil levels. The diode has a given maximum current rating. A unique pulse generating circuit applies a short duration, high-current pulse to the light-emitting diode to produce a correspondingly short but intense burst of radiant energy that is received by the phototransistor. The sensitivity of response is superior to that of a phototransistor employed with a light-emitting diode driven by low-level voltages giving rise to currents equal to or less than its steady-state rating. False readings are eliminated when the vehicle is on an incline, or when the ignition switch is improperly operated. Reliable functioning is had, even at high operating temperatures.
Bibliography:Application Number: US19870131907