US3857004A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid level sensor
Assignee: McCord Corp
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Filing: 1973-06-08
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Granted: 1974-12-24
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Expires: 1993-06-08
Abstract
Abstract A liquid level sensor assembly for indicating, through an electrically-operated warning circuit, the liquid level of a fluid in a container including magnetic responsive switch means for movement between an open and closed position to control an electric circuit, support means for supporting said switch means, float means responsive to the level of the fluid, and magnet means supported by and movable with the float means for actuating the switch means; the support means including a top portion and guide means depending therefrom for guiding the float means, the guide means having a housing portion housing the switch means and a depending pilot portion having radially extending fins wherein this pilot portion is cross-shaped in transverse cross section; the float means being adapted to move axially of the guide means and including a barrel portion surrounding the housing portion and supporting the magnet means and a follower portion depending therefrom and having strap members for engaging the radially extending fin members on the pilot portion to facilitate guided movement of the float means.
Inventors
- 👤 K Kavthekar
- 👤 E Clemett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 12:30
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/30; G01F23/56; B; B60; B60K; B60K15/00; B60K15/03; B60K15/06; B60K15/061; G01F23/76; H; H01; H01H; H01H35/00; H01H35/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
A liquid level sensor assembly for indicating, through an electrically-operated warning circuit, the liquid level of a fluid in a container comprising magnetic responsive switch means for movement between an open and closed position to control an electric circuit, support means for supporting said switch means, float means responsive to the level of the fluid, and magnet means supported by and movable with said float means for actuating said switch means; said support means including a top portion and guide means depending therefrom for guiding said float means, said guide means having a housing portion housing said switch means and a pilot portion having radially extending members with said housing means disposed adjacent said support means and said pilot portion disposed axially below said housiNg portion, said float means being adapted to move axially of said guide means and including a barrel portion guided by and surrounding said housing portion and supporting said magnet means and a follower portion depending axially below said barrel portion and having means for engaging said radially extending members to facilitate guided movement of said float means; said float means further including a buoyant member disposed axially below said follower portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
A liquid level sensor assembly for indicating, through an electrically-operated warning circuit, the liquid level of a fluid in a container comprising magnetic responsive switch means for movement between an open and closed position to control an electric circuit, support means for supporting said switch means, float means responsive to the level of the fluid, and magnet means supported by and movable with said float means for actuating said switch means; said support means including a top portion and guide means depending therefrom for guiding said float means, said guide means having a housing portion housing said switch means and a pilot portion having radially extending members with said housing means disposed adjacent said support means and said pilot portion disposed axially below said housiNg portion, said float means being adapted to move axially of said guide means and including a barrel portion guided by and surrounding said housing portion and supporting said magnet means and a follower portion depending axially below said barrel portion and having means for engaging said radially extending members to facilitate guided movement of said float means; said float means further including a buoyant member disposed axially below said follower portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said guide means includes a plurality of radially extending fin members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said follower portion includes two parallel, spaced-apart flange sections and a web section connecting said flange sections; said web section including an opening therein for receiving said pilot portion and strap members spanning said opening and engaging said fin members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said pilot portion is generally cross-shaped in transverse cross section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein each of said strap members includes a U-shaped portion surrounding one of said fin members and two arm members connecting the terminal ends of said U-shaped portion to said web section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 5 including two strap members, one disposed on each side of said guide means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said barrel portion includes radially inwardly extending protrusions for sliding engagement with the surface of said housing portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said support means includes electrical circuit terminal members connected to said magnetic responsive switch means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said support means includes an axial bore disposed in said housing portion for receiving said switch means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 9 including a sealing and electrical insulating material surrounding a portion of said terminal members and sealing said axial bore.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said support means includes upstanding wall members for defining a recess for receiving said terminal members and said sealing material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said buoyant member comprises a fluid-tight, hollow, cylindrical member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said magnetic responsive switch means is a spring-biased axial switch.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said barrel portion includes radially inwardly extending protrusions for sliding engagement with the surface of said housing portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein said protrusions are triangularly shaped in transverse cross section, the apexes of said protrusions engaging said housing portion surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said support means includes an axial bore disposed in said housing portion for receiving said switch means.
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) | 1977-12-23 | 1978-06-24 | 1978-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-23 | 1982-06-24 | 1982-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-23 | 1986-06-24 | 1986-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |