US3779079A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Temperature measuring systems for automotive vehicles and the like
Assignee: Diginetics Inc
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Filing: 1972-06-28
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Granted: 1973-12-18
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Expires: 1992-06-28
Abstract
Abstract A temperature gauge assembly for easy and convenient installation on automotive vehicles and similar powered devices. The preferred form of the temperature gauge assembly comprises a transmission temperature gauge assembly including a gauge unit and a sender unit. The gauge unit is comprised of an outer housing with an electrically responsive meter mounted therein and is provided for conveneint attachment to the dashboard or other suitable location of the vehicle. One terminal of the meter is electrically connected by means of a C-shaped clamp to a fuse terminal or other electrical member of the vehicle connected operatively to the battery of the vehicle. The other terminal of the meter is electrically connected to a sender unit comprising a second C-shaped clamp which is conveniently disposed about an electrically grounded member of the vehicle in heat exchange relationship to the fluid in which temperature is to be measured. In the case of the transmission temperature gauge, the second Cshaped clamp is connected to one of the fluid lines to the automotive vehicle transmission in order to detect temperature conditions thereof. A diode having proper temperature sensitivity and electrical characteristics is secured to the second C-shaped clamp and is, in turn, connected to the meter. In another embodiment of the invention, means are provided for eliminating variation in the voltage from the generator of the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 R Snook
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 17:58
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01K; G01K7/00; G01K7/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
352 words
A temperature measuring system for measuring and depicting the temperature of a fluid in an Automotive vehicle and which vehicle has a source of electrical power with first and second electrical terminals; said system comprising the combination of gauge means, mounting means on said gauge means permitting operative attachment to said vehicle in a location where it is viewable by an operator of said vehicle, first and second electrically conductive terminal mounts on said gauge means, first conductor means having one end connectable to said first electrically conductive terminal mount, first electrically conductive attachment means on said first conductor means for attachment to a member on said vehicle in electrically conductive relationship to said first electrical terminal, second conductor means having one end connectable to said second electrically conductive terminal mount, second electrically conductive and heat conductive attachment means on the other end of said second conductor means for attachment to the exterior surface of a member in heat conductive relationship to said fluid, said last named member also being in electrically conductive relationship to said second electrical terminal to thereby create an electrical current flow through said first and second attachment means and said first and second conductor means and said gauge means, said second attachment means being adapted with proper size to be attached only to the exterior surface of said member to sense the temperature of said fluid by heat conductivity through said member and without having any portion thereof in contact with said fluid, and temperature sensing means carried by said second attachment means and being in heat conductive disposition on said second attachment means and in electrically conductive relationship thereto for sensing the effect of the temperature of said member in heat conductive relationship with said fluid, said temperature sensing means being located on said second attachment means to be in close proximity to the member in heat conductive relationship to said fluid, said temperature sensing means being capable of modulating the said electrical current flow for transmission to said gauge means in response to the temperature of the member in heat conductive relationship with said fluid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
352 words
A temperature measuring system for measuring and depicting the temperature of a fluid in an Automotive vehicle and which vehicle has a source of electrical power with first and second electrical terminals; said system comprising the combination of gauge means, mounting means on said gauge means permitting operative attachment to said vehicle in a location where it is viewable by an operator of said vehicle, first and second electrically conductive terminal mounts on said gauge means, first conductor means having one end connectable to said first electrically conductive terminal mount, first electrically conductive attachment means on said first conductor means for attachment to a member on said vehicle in electrically conductive relationship to said first electrical terminal, second conductor means having one end connectable to said second electrically conductive terminal mount, second electrically conductive and heat conductive attachment means on the other end of said second conductor means for attachment to the exterior surface of a member in heat conductive relationship to said fluid, said last named member also being in electrically conductive relationship to said second electrical terminal to thereby create an electrical current flow through said first and second attachment means and said first and second conductor means and said gauge means, said second attachment means being adapted with proper size to be attached only to the exterior surface of said member to sense the temperature of said fluid by heat conductivity through said member and without having any portion thereof in contact with said fluid, and temperature sensing means carried by said second attachment means and being in heat conductive disposition on said second attachment means and in electrically conductive relationship thereto for sensing the effect of the temperature of said member in heat conductive relationship with said fluid, said temperature sensing means being located on said second attachment means to be in close proximity to the member in heat conductive relationship to said fluid, said temperature sensing means being capable of modulating the said electrical current flow for transmission to said gauge means in response to the temperature of the member in heat conductive relationship with said fluid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The temperature measuring system of claim 1 further characterized in that said first attachment means is a C-shaped clamp capable of attachment to a fuse terminal or similar member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The temperature measuring system of claim 1 further characterized in that said second attachment means is a clamp capable of attachment to a fluid carrying member which carries the fluid where temperature is to be measured.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The temperature measuring system of claim 1 further characterized in that said temperature sensing means is a temperature responsive diode which is capable of modulating an electrical current in response to the temperature thus sensed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The temperature measuring system of claim 1 further characterized in that said second attachment means is a clamp which is formed of a metal having good heat conductive properties and electrically conductive properties.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The temperature measuring system of claim 1 further characterized in that said temperature sensing means is a germanium diode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The temperature measuring system of claim 1 further characterized in that current limiting electrical circuit means is operatively interposed with said temperature sensing means and said gauge means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The temperature measuring system of claim 7 further characterized in that said gauge means comprises a current sensitive meter, and said electrical circuit means comprises a current limiting resistor interposed between said meter and said temperature sensing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The temperature measuring system of claim 7 further characterized in that said gauge means comprises a meter operable by an electrical signal and a voltage stabilizing circuit operative to prevent electrical potential variance from said source of electrical power from affecting readings on said meter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
329 words
A Temperature measuring system for measuring and depicting the temperature of a fluid in an automotive vehicle and which vehicle has a source of electrical power with first and second electrical terminals; said system comprising the combination of gauge means, mounting means on said gauge means permitting operative attachment to said vehicle in a location where it is viewable by an operator of said vehicle, first and second electrically conductive terminal mounts on said gauge means, first conductor means having one end connectable to said first electrically conductive terminal mount, first electrically conductive attachment means on said first conductor means for attachment to a member on said vehicle in electrically conductive relationship to said first electrical terminal, second conductor means having one end connectable to said second electrically conductive terminal mount, second attachment means in the form of a C-shaped clamp formed of a metal having good heat conductive properties and electrically conductive properties, said second attachment means being located on the other end of said second conductor means for attachment to the exterior surface of a member in heat conductive relationship to said fluid, said last named member also being in electrically conductive relationship to said second electrical terminal to thereby create an electrical current flow through said first and second attachment means and said first and second conductor means and said gauge means, and temperature sensing means carried by said second attachment means and being in heat conductive disposition on said second attachment means and in electrically conductive relationship thereto for sensing the effect of the temperature of said member in heat conductive relationship with said fluid, said temperature sensing means being located on said second attachment means to be in close proximity to the member in heat conductive relationship to said fluid, said temperature sensing means being capable of modulating the said electrical current flow for transmission to said gauge means in response to the temperature of the member in heat conductive relationship with said fluid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
329 words
A Temperature measuring system for measuring and depicting the temperature of a fluid in an automotive vehicle and which vehicle has a source of electrical power with first and second electrical terminals; said system comprising the combination of gauge means, mounting means on said gauge means permitting operative attachment to said vehicle in a location where it is viewable by an operator of said vehicle, first and second electrically conductive terminal mounts on said gauge means, first conductor means having one end connectable to said first electrically conductive terminal mount, first electrically conductive attachment means on said first conductor means for attachment to a member on said vehicle in electrically conductive relationship to said first electrical terminal, second conductor means having one end connectable to said second electrically conductive terminal mount, second attachment means in the form of a C-shaped clamp formed of a metal having good heat conductive properties and electrically conductive properties, said second attachment means being located on the other end of said second conductor means for attachment to the exterior surface of a member in heat conductive relationship to said fluid, said last named member also being in electrically conductive relationship to said second electrical terminal to thereby create an electrical current flow through said first and second attachment means and said first and second conductor means and said gauge means, and temperature sensing means carried by said second attachment means and being in heat conductive disposition on said second attachment means and in electrically conductive relationship thereto for sensing the effect of the temperature of said member in heat conductive relationship with said fluid, said temperature sensing means being located on said second attachment means to be in close proximity to the member in heat conductive relationship to said fluid, said temperature sensing means being capable of modulating the said electrical current flow for transmission to said gauge means in response to the temperature of the member in heat conductive relationship with said fluid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The temperature measuring system of claim 10 further characterized in that said C-shaped clamp is capable of attachment to a fluid carrying member which carries the fluid where temperature is to be measured.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The temperature measuring system of claim 10 further characterized in that said temperature sensing means is a temperature responsive diode which is capable of modulating an electrical current in response to the temperature thus sensed.
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) | 1976-12-17 | 1977-06-18 | 1977-12-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-17 | 1981-06-18 | 1981-12-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-17 | 1985-06-18 | 1985-12-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |