Illinois Tool Works Inc.

David R Nowak

Robert Dam

Eric G Parker

Richard R Herzog

Ryan Lindsay

Anatoly I Gosis

Anthony R Caringella

Kenneth R Levey

Kenneth Roger LeVey

Juan J Barrena

James S Zielinski

Richard D Gjerde

Sean V Ciesielka

Robert G Tegel

Michael W Hartley

Abram Cervantes

Theodore James John Veselsky

Chuck Esposito

Ronald R Hostert

A dual function switch assembly includes a switch housing part containing multiple switches at different elevations and a rotor having cam surfaces aligned with the switches for operating the switches. A mounting part is connected to the switch housing part and provides mounting features for attachment in a desired installation.

Dual function switch assembly

The invention relates to devices configured and adapted to give a fluid stream the appearance of being lighted. Different colors of light, such as those provided from LEDs, may be used to generate an aesthetically pleasing effect of flowing colored fluid. In some embodiments, the fluid illumination may be accomplished by a light source directed towards a fluid stream from an external angle, for example. Alternatively, the light source may be pointed in the direction of the fluid stream, lighting it substantially internally. In yet other embodiments, the fluid illumination may be enhanced with the employment of reflective surfaces that bounce light around and through the fluid stream. To increase the appearance of being lighted, the reflective fluid surface area may be increased by generating turbulent flow. In certain embodiments, turbulent flow is achieved with the use of a separator to separate a single fluid stream into a plurality of micro-streams.

Lighted water stream

A light assembly for a refrigerator drawer includes a light source assembly, a reflector and a lens assembly keyed one to another for positioning, and secured to each other as a preassembled unit. The preassembled light assembly is snap fit into an opening in a panel of the drawer.

Light assembly

An air filter restriction sensor assembly for use on an engine, such as a small gas engine provides a simple on/off system with remote indicating to notify the operator of the air restriction. More specifically, the air restriction in the air intake line of the engine creates a vacuum which pulls on a plunger mechanism until the mechanism contacts a switch, such as a membrane switch, and activates the switch. The switch can be electrically connected to an indicator device, such as a light-emitting diode, which is readily visible to the operator to notify the operator of the air restriction.

Air filter restriction sensor assembly

A lighting system for dispensing units such as ice and water dispensers on refrigerators includes a paddle on a shaft for activating and deactivating the dispenser by force applied from a receptacle. The shaft is configured as a light tube. A light source is positioned above the shaft to supply light into the shaft and paddle in the non-deflected condition. A prism is provided to receive light from the light source when the paddle is depressed, and to redirect light from the light source towards a receptacle positioned for receiving ice or water dispensed by the dispenser.

Dispensing unit lighting system

An airflow control device has a fixed damper element and a movable damper element. Shape memory wires are connected to the fixed damper element and the movable damper element. The shape memory wires are alternately electrified to cause the contraction thereof to move the movable damper element in opposite directions. A heater can be provided along with the damper elements to overcome frost buildup in cold environments, such as refrigeration systems.

Airflow control device

A lighting system is provided to transmit light from a light source through a prism. The prism includes a light receiving edge surface, a curved edge surface and a light exiting edge surface. The light source is positioned to transmit a beam of light through the light receiving edge surface of the prism. The prism is configured such that the beam of light travels through the prism to strike the curved edge surface. The beam of light is then reflected off of the curved edge surface such that the beam of light changes direction and continues to travel through the prism until such time as it passes through the light exiting edge surface. The lighting system is adapted to provide a substantially uniform light distribution from the light exiting edge surface.

Lighting system

A vent valve for a fuel tank having a sending unit positioned therethrough including a floating body floatable within the fuel tank and a valve positioned with respect to the floating body. A vent hose is positioned with respect to the valve, the vent hose extending between the floating body and the sending unit.

Buoyant vent valve

An optical device for measuring a level of a fluid in a container wherein a light conducting body having a top surface and a bottom surface is positioned within the container and into the fluid. A first end of the light conducting body and an oppositely disposed second end, preferably having stepped end surfaces, reflect and refract light in a predetermined manner based upon the fluid level in the container. A resulting brightness of the top surface is therefore inversely proportional to the level of the fluid. Such an optical device is particularly suited toward application to a vehicle fuel tank.

Fluid level indicator

The check valve has rotationally symmetric outer boundaries with a transverse plate separating a first portion which is intended to be within a first air space and a second portion which is intended to be within a second air space. Two internal passageways are formed within the interior of the check valve, each with an opening in the first portion and another opening in the second portion. The first and second portions each include a circular channel with flared walls into which one of the openings is formed. Each circular channel includes an O-ring which serves as a valve to control flow into the respective internal passageway.

Two-way check valve

An optical-electronic device measuring a charge level in a battery having a housing positioned within an interior of the battery, the housing having a cavity. A light source and a light receiving device are positioned within the cavity. A sensing surface and at least one reflecting surface are positioned within the cavity between the light source and the light receiving device. A box is formed with respect to the housing, the at least one reflecting surface dividing the box from the cavity. Light projected from the light source is transmitted from the sensing surface, where a portion of the light is refracted depending upon the charge level of the battery. The remaining light is transmitted to the at least one reflecting surface and then to the light receiving device. A level of charge is thereby determined based upon the amount of light sensed by the light receiving device.

Growing community of inventors

Chicago, IL, United States of America

David R Nowak