Patent US264141A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3739366A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3739366A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flowmeter for engine cooling system
Assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1971-06-14
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Granted: 1973-06-12
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Expires: 1991-06-14
Abstract
Abstract A flowmeter senses the flow rate in an engine cooling system to provide an indication of an extraordinary condition as when the water pump or one of the fluid conducting hoses would become inoperative. The flowmeter sensor comprises a pair of stationary electrodes located adjacent to and on either side of a flexible electrode which is deflected by the current flow. A relatively high frequency alternating current produces a field between the two stationary electrodes and the deflecting electrode will assume a potential based on its location in the field. A threshold detection circuit is connected to the deflecting electrode whereby a change in its apparent voltage will actuate a warning device.
Inventors
- 👤 M Lace
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 08:13
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P13/00; G01P13/0006; G01P13/0026; G01P13/0033; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/05; G01F1/20; G01F1/28; G01F1/56; G01F1/64; G01P1/00; G01P1/07; G01P1/08; G01P1/10; G01P1/103; G01P5/00; G01P5/02; G01P5/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A flowmeter sensor for placement in a stream of cooling fluid of an engine cooling system comprising first and second parallel stationary electrodes electrically insulated from each other and spaced to allow the cooling fluid to flow therebetween, and a third electrode electrically insulated from said first and second stationary electrodes mounted askew between said stationary electrodes and spaced therefrom, said third electrode being mounted for deflection by said stream of cooling fluid to a position approaching a parallel relationship to said first and second stationary electrodes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
A flowmeter sensor for placement in a stream of cooling fluid of an engine cooling system comprising first and second parallel stationary electrodes electrically insulated from each other and spaced to allow the cooling fluid to flow therebetween, and a third electrode electrically insulated from said first and second stationary electrodes mounted askew between said stationary electrodes and spaced therefrom, said third electrode being mounted for deflection by said stream of cooling fluid to a position approaching a parallel relationship to said first and second stationary electrodes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A flowmeter sensor for an engine cooling system as recited in claim 1 wherein said third electrode is a deflectable foil electrode and said electrodes are supported in spaced relation by an insulator member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A flowmeter sensor for an engine cooling system as recited in claim 2 and further including means for mounting said sensor in an engine cooling system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A flowmeter sensor for an engine cooling system as recited in claim 3 wherein said means for mounting said sensor comprises a flange and a barrel integral therewith surrounding said insulator member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A flowmeter sensor for an engine cooling system as recited in claim 4 wherein said electrodes are supported from said insulator member by a plurality of conductive support members making electrical contact to said electrodes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
113 words
A flowmeter system for an engine comprising electrode means for sensing the flow of coolant, said electrode means including a first electrode and a deflectable electrode mounted for deflection by the flow of coolant, means connected to said electrode means for applying an alternating current to one of said electrodes, alternating current responsive threshold detector means connected to the other of said electrodes for detecting the potential of the alternating current thereat, said potential being related to the position of said deflectable electrode as determined by the flow of coolant through said system, and alarm means responsive to said threshold detector means for indicating improper coolant flow connected to said threshold detector means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
113 words
A flowmeter system for an engine comprising electrode means for sensing the flow of coolant, said electrode means including a first electrode and a deflectable electrode mounted for deflection by the flow of coolant, means connected to said electrode means for applying an alternating current to one of said electrodes, alternating current responsive threshold detector means connected to the other of said electrodes for detecting the potential of the alternating current thereat, said potential being related to the position of said deflectable electrode as determined by the flow of coolant through said system, and alarm means responsive to said threshold detector means for indicating improper coolant flow connected to said threshold detector means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A flowmeter system for an engine as recited in claim 6 wherein said sensing means further includes a second electrode mounted parallel to said first electrode And spaced therefrom, said deflectable electrode being mounted intermediate said first and second electrodes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A flowmeter system for an engine as recited in claim 7 wherein said means for applying said alternating current is connected to said first and second electrodes for applying a relatively high frequency alternating current thereto, and said threshold detector means is connected to said deflectable electrode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A flowmeter system for an engine as recited in claim 8 wherein said threshold detector is connected to a switch which turns on an alarm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A flowmeter system for an engine as rectied in claim 9 wherein said alarm is an indicator lamp.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
98 words
An engine cooling system comprising a conduit for carrying a flow of cooling fluid, a flowmeter sensor located in said conduit, said flowmeter sensor having first and second spaced parallel stationary electrodes and a deflectable foil electrode mounted intermediate said first and second stationary electrodes and at an angle thereto, said foil electrode being deflectable by the flow of cooling fluid in said conduit, means connected to said deflectable foil electrode for sensing the position thereof, and alarm means connected to said sensing means and responsive thereto for providing an alarm indicative of improper flow of cooling fluid.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
98 words
An engine cooling system comprising a conduit for carrying a flow of cooling fluid, a flowmeter sensor located in said conduit, said flowmeter sensor having first and second spaced parallel stationary electrodes and a deflectable foil electrode mounted intermediate said first and second stationary electrodes and at an angle thereto, said foil electrode being deflectable by the flow of cooling fluid in said conduit, means connected to said deflectable foil electrode for sensing the position thereof, and alarm means connected to said sensing means and responsive thereto for providing an alarm indicative of improper flow of cooling fluid.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
An engine cooling system as recited in claim 11 wherein said first and second spaced parallel stationary electrodes are mounted in the conduit parallel to the direction of flow of the cooling fluid.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
An engine cooling system as recited in claim 12 and further including oscillator means connected to said stationary electrodes for applying a relatively high frequency alternating current thereto.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
An engine cooling system as recited in claim 12 and further including threshold detector circuit means connected to said deflectable electrode for sensing a change of potential thereat.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-11 | 1976-12-11 | 1977-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-11 | 1980-12-11 | 1981-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-11 | 1984-12-11 | 1985-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |