Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A member for indicating clogging of the air intake filter, in particular for motor vehicle engines, characterised by consisting of a duct (1) open at its opposite ends for location in communication with the air intake and outlet zones of a filter, and containing a slidable piston (5) carrying an indicator strip (6) visible from the outside, said piston (5) being able to slide within the duct (1), between an inner position and a position close to that end opening thereof in communication with the zone in which the air leaves the filter towards the engine, under the action of a pressure difference between the ends of the duct correspor ing to the pressure drop which the air undergoes in passing through the filter when this latter is in a state which requires its replacement because of clogging.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A member for indicating clogging of the air intake filter, in particular for motor vehicle engines, characterised by consisting of a duct (1) open at its opposite ends for location in communication with the air intake and outlet zones of a filter, and containing a slidable piston (5) carrying an indicator strip (6) visible from the outside, said piston (5) being able to slide within the duct (1), between an inner position and a position close to that end opening thereof in communication with the zone in which the air leaves the filter towards the engine, under the action of a pressure difference between the ends of the duct correspor ing to the pressure drop which the air undergoes in passing through the filter when this latter is in a state which requires its replacement because of clogging.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
An indicator member according to claim 1, characterised in that said duct (1) comprises an intermediate portion (7) to be disposed over a part of the filter, an end portion (2) communicating with the filter intake zone, and an opposite end portion (3) of tubular shape containing the piston (5) and comprising a piston stop rim (11) in a position close to the end opening (4) which is in communication with the filter air outlet zone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
An indicator member according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the end portion (2) communicating with the filter intake zone extends to the outside of the filter casing in which the filter is located.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
An indicator member according to claim 3, characterised in that the end portion (2) communicating with the intake zone comprises an aperture (8) in its upperly facing surface, said indicator strip (6) rigid with the piston (5) being visible through said aperture (8) when the piston (5) is in its inner position in the duct (1).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
80 words
An indicator member according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the intermediate duct portion (7) is of small height but of sufficient width to ensure that the passage cross-section for the air is such as to make its pressure drop negligible during the movement of the piston (5), said indicator strip (6) extending through the intermediate portion (7) to reach as far as the aperture (8) in the end portion (2) communicating with the intake zone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
An indicator member according to claim 5, characterised in that the intermediate duct portion (7) comprises stiffening and guide ribs (15) for the indicator strip (6).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
An indicator member according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the piston (5) is constructed of a material of low specific gravity, such as expanded plastics material or the like.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
An indicator member according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the duct (1) is constructed of low-cost material to enable it to be replaced together with the-clogged filter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
An indicator member according to claim 8, characterised by forming an integral part of the filter structure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
74 words
An indicator member according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that electrical or electronic sensors are connected to the piston (5) or indicator strip (6) in order to provide an indication of the piston movement on the vehicle instrument panel, the indicator member being mounted permanently in the filter casing, and the piston (5) being relocated in its inner position in the duct (1) each time a clogged filter is replaced.