Patent US3846747A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3846747A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Device for detecting and indicating quantity of engine oil
Assignee: Toyota Motor Corp
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Filing: 1973-12-07
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Granted: 1974-11-05
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Expires: 1993-12-07
Abstract
Abstract A device for detecting and indicating the quantity of engine oil in an oil pan of an engine comprising a detecting and indicating circuit including a switching transistor and a indicate element, a first detector applying an output to the circuit when the oil level is stabilized, and a second detector applying an output to the circuit when the oil level is lowered to less than a predetermined level so that the switching transistor is turned on to energize the indicate element in response to the simultaneous application of the outputs of the first and second detectors to the detecting and indicating circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Y Kikuchi
- 👤 H Arai
- 👤 J Ohta
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 18:38
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/24; G01F23/246; G01F23/247
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A device for detecting and indicating the quantity of engine oil in an oil pan of an engine for vehicles and the like comprising a detecting and indicating circuit including a indicate element and a switching transistor, an oil level stabilization detector for detecting stabilization of the engine oil level in the oil pan after starting of the engine, an oil level detector for detecting lowering of the engine oil level to a level lower than a predetermined level, and means for connecting the outputs of said oil level stabilization detector and said oil level detector to said detecting and indicating circuit, whereby said switching transistor is turned on to energize said indicate element when the outputs of both said detectors are simultaneously applied to said detecting and indicating circuit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
130 words
A device for detecting and indicating the quantity of engine oil in an oil pan of an engine for vehicles and the like comprising a detecting and indicating circuit including a indicate element and a switching transistor, an oil level stabilization detector for detecting stabilization of the engine oil level in the oil pan after starting of the engine, an oil level detector for detecting lowering of the engine oil level to a level lower than a predetermined level, and means for connecting the outputs of said oil level stabilization detector and said oil level detector to said detecting and indicating circuit, whereby said switching transistor is turned on to energize said indicate element when the outputs of both said detectors are simultaneously applied to said detecting and indicating circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
An oil quantity detecting and indicating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said oil level detector comprises a reed switch fixedly mounted within the oil pan and a float floating on the surface of engine oil contained in said oil pan, said float having a magnet disposed adjacent to said reed switch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
An oil quantity detecting and indicating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said oil level detector comprises a temperature sensitive semiconductor fixedly mounted within the oil pan.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
An oil quantity detecting and indicating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said oil level stabilization detector comprises a temperature sensitive switch for detecting the temperature of a coolant.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
An oil quantity detecting and indicating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said oil level stabilization detector comprises a temperature sensitive switch for detecting the temperature of an engine oil.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
An oil quantity detecting and indicating device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said temperature sensitive switch is a switch means which comprises a thermoferrite element and a reed switch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
An oil quantity detecting and indicating device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said temperature sensitive switch comprises a heat sensitive element whose resistance value is variable depending on the temperature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
74 words
An oil quantity detecting and indicating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said oil level detector comprises a first switch means, while said oil level stabilization detector comprises a second switch means, said first and second switch means being connected in parallel with each other, and said parallel connection of said first and second switch means is connected across the base and emitter of said switching transistor to serve as a by-pass circuit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
An oil quantity detecting and indicating device as claimed in claim 7, wherein a third switch means is connected in parallel with said first and second switch means in said by-pass circuit so as to prevent an erroneous indicate due to inclination of the vehicle body.
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) | 1977-11-04 | 1978-05-06 | 1978-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-04 | 1982-05-06 | 1982-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-04 | 1986-05-06 | 1986-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |