US3845464A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Low coolant indicator
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1973-04-23
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Granted: 1974-10-29
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Expires: 1993-04-23
Abstract
Abstract A coolant level indicating system for a vehicle including a warning light, a sensor normally immersed in coolant and a vehicle battery or other power source in circuit with said temperature sensor. The sensor is mounted at a location in the engine remote from the engine water pump to prevent transient coolant level fluctuations caused by the pump from effecting its operation. The temperature sensor includes a variable resistance element heated by the battery which under operation of the engine with a normal high coolant level is immersed in coolant and cooled to maintain the variable resistance element in a high resistance state. When the coolant level decreases, the element is uncovered and consequently its temperature increases. This decreases its resistance to permit sufficient energization of a warning light to visibly indicate the condition to the operator of the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 J Engel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 08:05
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/24; G01F23/246; G01F23/247; F; F01; F01P; F01P11/00; F01P11/14; F01P11/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
A coolant level indicating assembly for a vehicle with an engine having a front-mounted water pump and a water passage for cooling the engine comprising: wall means separating said water passage from a cavity formed in an upper, rearward portion of said engIne which is remotely located from said front-mounted water pump; said separator wall having opening means therethrough including a lower portion adapted to pass coolant between said water passage and said cavity in response to changes in the coolant level in the engine and an upper portion adapted to permit the discharge of air from said cavity as the coolant level therein increases; a temperature responsive sensor attached to said engine having a portion extending into an upper region of said cavity; said portion of the sensor including a variable resistance element in circuit with the vehicle electrical power source and being positioned in said cavity to be covered by coolant when there is a sufficient coolant volume in said engine; said variable resistance element being characterized by a substantial change in resistance between conditions when it is covered by coolant and when it is uncovered by coolant; means in circuit with said variable resistance element for indicating an insufficient coolant volume corresponding to an uncovered operative condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
A coolant level indicating assembly for a vehicle with an engine having a front-mounted water pump and a water passage for cooling the engine comprising: wall means separating said water passage from a cavity formed in an upper, rearward portion of said engIne which is remotely located from said front-mounted water pump; said separator wall having opening means therethrough including a lower portion adapted to pass coolant between said water passage and said cavity in response to changes in the coolant level in the engine and an upper portion adapted to permit the discharge of air from said cavity as the coolant level therein increases; a temperature responsive sensor attached to said engine having a portion extending into an upper region of said cavity; said portion of the sensor including a variable resistance element in circuit with the vehicle electrical power source and being positioned in said cavity to be covered by coolant when there is a sufficient coolant volume in said engine; said variable resistance element being characterized by a substantial change in resistance between conditions when it is covered by coolant and when it is uncovered by coolant; means in circuit with said variable resistance element for indicating an insufficient coolant volume corresponding to an uncovered operative condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
231 words
A coolant level indicating assembly for a vehicle with an engine having a front-mounted water pump and a water passage for cooling the engine comprising: an intake manifold gasket overlying an opening to said water passage; said opening being located in an upper, rearward portion of the engine which is remotely located from said water pump; an intake manifold overlying said gasket and forming a small cavity therein separated from said water passage by said gasket; said gasket having a lower opening of relatively small diameter with respect to the volume of said cavity to pass coolant at a relatively slow rate between said cavity and said water passage with changes in the coolant level in the engine; said gasket also having an opening adjacent the top surface of said cavity for discharging air therefrom as the coolant level increases; a temperature-responsive sensor attached to said intake manifold and extending vertically through the top surface of said cavity; said sensor having a variable resistance element in the upper region of said cavity which is in circuit with the vehicle electrical power source, said resistance element characterized by a substantial change in resistance between conditions when it is covered by coolant and when it is uncovered by coolant; means in circuit with said variable resistance element for indicating an insufficient coolant volume which corresponds to the uncovered condition of the resistance element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
231 words
A coolant level indicating assembly for a vehicle with an engine having a front-mounted water pump and a water passage for cooling the engine comprising: an intake manifold gasket overlying an opening to said water passage; said opening being located in an upper, rearward portion of the engine which is remotely located from said water pump; an intake manifold overlying said gasket and forming a small cavity therein separated from said water passage by said gasket; said gasket having a lower opening of relatively small diameter with respect to the volume of said cavity to pass coolant at a relatively slow rate between said cavity and said water passage with changes in the coolant level in the engine; said gasket also having an opening adjacent the top surface of said cavity for discharging air therefrom as the coolant level increases; a temperature-responsive sensor attached to said intake manifold and extending vertically through the top surface of said cavity; said sensor having a variable resistance element in the upper region of said cavity which is in circuit with the vehicle electrical power source, said resistance element characterized by a substantial change in resistance between conditions when it is covered by coolant and when it is uncovered by coolant; means in circuit with said variable resistance element for indicating an insufficient coolant volume which corresponds to the uncovered condition of the resistance element.
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) | 1977-10-28 | 1978-04-29 | 1978-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-28 | 1982-04-29 | 1982-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-28 | 1986-04-29 | 1986-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |