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:
May. 11, 1999
Filed:
Sep. 09, 1998
Gary Westermeyer, Bluffs, IL (US);
Paul Isaacs, Auburn, IL (US);
AC&R Components, Inc., Chatham, IL (US);
Abstract
An oil level regulator is disclosed for use in a refrigeration system which has an oil reservoir and at least one compressor with a crankcase for containing oil. The regulator has a body with an interior fluid chamber for receiving oil. An inlet communicates with the fluid chamber of the body and is connected by a conduit to the oil reservoir of the system. An outlet communicates from the fluid chamber through a conduit through to the crankcase of the compressor. A level detecting mechanism is disposed within the fluid chamber for detecting an oil level therein. The level detector mechanism includes a solenoid assembly which is actuated by the detector mechanism when the oil level within the chamber is determined to be at or below a predetermined level. A microprocessor is provided on the regulator which communicates with the detector mechanism and the solenoid assembly. The microprocessor includes a delay timer for actuating the switch mechanism after a delay time period has passed from detection of a low oil level in order to provide fluid to the interior chamber. The microprocessor also includes a latching timer for holding the solenoid assembly in a position for feeding oil into the fluid chamber for a latching time period after an oil level is detected which is at or above the first predetermined level.