US3852380A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Water level indicator and control
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
•
Filing: 1973-05-24
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Granted: 1974-12-03
•
Expires: 1993-05-24
Abstract
Abstract A float actuated water indicator and control assembly is installed in a portable humidifier of the type having a removable water container at the bottom of the cabinet in which a drum having a porous circumferential cover is rotated with a portion thereof submerged so that the water is raised out of the container to be dispersed in an air flow created by a fan. The float is connected by a line to a spring biased indicator drum mounted on an independent sub-assembly frame near the top of the cabinet so that water level indicia on a part of its circumference can be viewed through an aperture in the top of the humidifier cabinet. The sub-assembly frame includes a lever-actuated limit switch mounted so that as the indicator drum reaches a position corresponding to a low water level in the water container a tab extending from the hub of the indicator trips the switch which in turn electrically deenergizes the fan and water dispersion drum motors and electrically energizes a light indicating refill of the water container is necessary. When the indicator drum is in the completely biased position, the flexible line is retained in a groove in the drum indicator by a bead positioned slightly below an aperture in the subassembly frame through which the line passes.
Inventors
- 👤 W Wiseman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:41
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F6/00; F24F6/02; F24F6/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
223 words
In a portable humidifier; a cabinet; a removable water container in the lower part of said cabinet; electrically energized means for creating a flow of air adapted to be humidified through said cabinet; a water level indicator and control assembly in the upper part of said cabinet including movable means carrying water level indicia presented thereon, means biasing said movable means toward a full water level indication, means limiting movement of said movable means beyond said full water level indication, and switch means located to be operated by movement of said movable means to a position corresponding to a low water condition to control said electrically energized means; a float; flexible line means connected to said movable means at one end and connected to said float means at the other end, said line extending in a direction from said movable means that movement of said line in said lastmentioned direction opposes said biasing means; and stop means on said line means, spaced apart from said float, and cooperating abutment means on said cabinet, for maintaining the portion of said line between saId stop means and said movable means in tension and thereby preventing disengagement of said flexible line from said movable means when said float is moved to positions corresponding to positions in a direction above the position of full water level indication.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
223 words
In a portable humidifier; a cabinet; a removable water container in the lower part of said cabinet; electrically energized means for creating a flow of air adapted to be humidified through said cabinet; a water level indicator and control assembly in the upper part of said cabinet including movable means carrying water level indicia presented thereon, means biasing said movable means toward a full water level indication, means limiting movement of said movable means beyond said full water level indication, and switch means located to be operated by movement of said movable means to a position corresponding to a low water condition to control said electrically energized means; a float; flexible line means connected to said movable means at one end and connected to said float means at the other end, said line extending in a direction from said movable means that movement of said line in said lastmentioned direction opposes said biasing means; and stop means on said line means, spaced apart from said float, and cooperating abutment means on said cabinet, for maintaining the portion of said line between saId stop means and said movable means in tension and thereby preventing disengagement of said flexible line from said movable means when said float is moved to positions corresponding to positions in a direction above the position of full water level indication.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
In a humidifier according to claim 1 including: a bracket for mounting said movable means, said switch means, and said biasing means in a separate assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
In a humidifier according to claim 1 wherein: said movable means includes a rotatable drum indicator having water level indicia presented on a part of the circumference thereof, said drum being positioned so that said indicia can be read from without said cabinet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
In a humidifier according to claim 3 wherein: said biasing means comprises a spring biasing said drum in a direction of rotation toward said full water level indication.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
In a humidifier according to claim 1 wherein: said abutment means comprises fixed structure between said movable means and said container including an aperture through which said line passes; and said stop means is fastened on said line at a location that said stop means abuts said fixed structure about said aperture when said float is moved to said positions corresponding to positions above full water level.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
In a humidifier according to claim 1 including: structure including an upper, and a lower, aperture, offset from each other relative to a vertical line; and said flexible line passes through both said apertures.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
In a humidifier according to claim 2 wherein: said movable means comprises a rotatable drum carrying stop means; and said bracket includes abutment means projecting to interfere with said stop means and prevent rotation of said drum substantially beyond either a full indication position or a refill indication position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
In a humidifier according to claim 7 including: switch means carried by said bracket and positioned to be engaged by said stop means in a position corresponding to a refill position to deenergize said electrically energized means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
206 words
In a portable humidifier including a cabinet having a removable water reservoir in the lower part of the cabinet, and electrically energized means for effecting a flow of air through said cabinet and the humidification of said air; a water level indicator and control assembly in the upper part of said cabinet, said assembly including a rotatable drum indicator positioned so the water level indications can be read from without said cabinet, switch means operated by movement of said indicator to control said electrically energized means in accordance with water level, means biasing said indicator toward a full water level indication; a float; flexible line means wound around at least a part of said drum and connecting said drum to said float, said flexible line means permitting said float to be lifted out of said reservoir to allow removal of said reservoir from said cabinet; and stop means on said line means, spaced apart from said float, and cooperating abutment means on said cabinet for sufficiently limiting movement of said flexible line portion between said stop means and said drum in an upward direction when said float is lifted above a full level position that said line remains in tension and in position on said drum.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
206 words
In a portable humidifier including a cabinet having a removable water reservoir in the lower part of the cabinet, and electrically energized means for effecting a flow of air through said cabinet and the humidification of said air; a water level indicator and control assembly in the upper part of said cabinet, said assembly including a rotatable drum indicator positioned so the water level indications can be read from without said cabinet, switch means operated by movement of said indicator to control said electrically energized means in accordance with water level, means biasing said indicator toward a full water level indication; a float; flexible line means wound around at least a part of said drum and connecting said drum to said float, said flexible line means permitting said float to be lifted out of said reservoir to allow removal of said reservoir from said cabinet; and stop means on said line means, spaced apart from said float, and cooperating abutment means on said cabinet for sufficiently limiting movement of said flexible line portion between said stop means and said drum in an upward direction when said float is lifted above a full level position that said line remains in tension and in position on said drum.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-02 | 1978-06-03 | 1978-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-02 | 1982-06-03 | 1982-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-02 | 1986-06-03 | 1986-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |