The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 27, 1991
Filed:
Nov. 22, 1989
Robert P Benjey, Dexter, MI (US);
Paul C Weiner, Dexter, MI (US);
Kelsey-Hayes Company, Romulus, MI (US);
Abstract
A self-aligning oil level sensing switch is provided with an elongated float shaped to pass freely through a threaded aperture in the side of an engine crankcase as a switch housing is screwed into the aperture. The float is free to rotate about one end of a mounting rod, and is unsymmetrical about its center of mass such that it is automatically aligned by gravity into its intended operating position, regardless of the final rotative position of the switch housing. The mounting rod is pivotally and rotatably mounted on the switch housing and has an opposite end provided with a counterweight which is unsymmetrical and is free to rotate with the rod. A magnetically actuated switch mechanism includes a spring-biased magnet enclosed in a conductive sleeve which is electrically coupled to a first connector pin. The sleeve is positioned within an electrically-conductive, magnetically-transparent cover member electrically coupled to a second connector pin. The cover member seals and isolates the switch from the oil. When the engine oil level is at or above a predetermined level, the float causes the mounting rod to pivot to a position wherein the end of mounting rod is positioned proximate the cover member. The mounting rod is constructed of a ferromagnetic material and causes the conductive sleeve to be drawn against and make electrical contact with the cover member to close a switch circuit. When the engine oil level falls below the predetermined level, the end of the mounting rod is pivoted out of the field of the magnet, and the conductive sleeve is spring biased away from the cover member to open the circuit.