US3983958A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for observing, indicating and maintaining fluid level
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-10-09
•
Granted: 1976-10-05
•
Expires: 1995-10-09
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus is provided for attachment to a bearing housing through an access conduit, which provides means for allowing observation of the lubricating oil in the bearing housing, ascertaining the level of oil in the lubricating housing, and maintaining a desired fluid level in the bearing. The apparatus provided has an upper chamber and lower chamber, separated by a partition. An opening in the partition allows fluid communication between the upper and lower chambers with a tube connected to the opening and extending a distance into the lower chamber. An aperture through the housing in the lower chamber above the lower end of the tube allows ambient pressure in the lower chamber. Lubricating oil in the two chambers may be pushed from the chambers through the access conduit by a plunger in the upper chamber when the aperture is covered by the hand to remove any blockage of the conduit and then upon withdrawal of the plunger bringing fluid back into the lower and upper chamber. Oil may be observed for condition in the chambers, and the oil level in the bearing determined. When the aperture is uncovered the oil is maintained at the desired level.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael R. Swearingen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 14:03
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16N; F16N19/00; F16N19/006; F16N13/00; F16N13/02; F16N13/06; F16N13/08; F16N19/003; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7287; Y10T137/7498
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
Apparatus connected to a bearing housing by means of an access pipe, for allowing observation of the lubricating oil in the bearing housing, ascertainment of the level of lubricating oil in the bearing housing, and maintenance of at least a desired oil level in the bearing housing, comprising: a housing comprising a first chamber and a second chamber; a partition between said first chamber and said second chamber, said partition having an opening therein; a tube attached to said opening and extending into said second chamber; means in said first chamber for displacing the lubricating oil from said chamber and for drawing oil back thereinto; an opening to the atmosphere in said second chamber to allow ambient pressure to be established when desired in said chamber; and means for fluid communication from a lower part of said second chamber to said access pipe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
Apparatus connected to a bearing housing by means of an access pipe, for allowing observation of the lubricating oil in the bearing housing, ascertainment of the level of lubricating oil in the bearing housing, and maintenance of at least a desired oil level in the bearing housing, comprising: a housing comprising a first chamber and a second chamber; a partition between said first chamber and said second chamber, said partition having an opening therein; a tube attached to said opening and extending into said second chamber; means in said first chamber for displacing the lubricating oil from said chamber and for drawing oil back thereinto; an opening to the atmosphere in said second chamber to allow ambient pressure to be established when desired in said chamber; and means for fluid communication from a lower part of said second chamber to said access pipe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means in said first chamber comprises a plunger connected to an operating rod.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said apparatus housing is of tubular configuration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 3, wherein said housing is constructed of transparent material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said opening to the atmosphere is closer to said partition than is the end of said tube opposite said partition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the volume of fluid in said access pipe is less than the volume of fluid in said second chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
211 words
Apparatus connected to a bearing housing by means of an access pipe, for allowing observation of the lubricating oil in the bearing housing, ascertainment of the level of lubricating oil in the bearing housing, and maintenance of at least a desired oil level in the bearing housing, comprising: a tubular housing having a partition therein, defining an upper chamber and a lower chamber; an opening in said partition to allow fluid communication between said upper chamber and said lower chamber; a tube connected to said opening, and extending a distance into said lower chamber; an aperture through the housing in said lower chamber, to allow ambient pressure to be established when desired in said chamber; fluid communication means between said lower chamber and said access pipe; a plunger in said upper chamber, for forcing fluid from said chamber through said tube into said lower chamber, and thence through said fluid communication means into said access pipe, to flush said pipe, and then upon withdrawal for bringing fluid from said access pipe into said lower chamber and then into said upper chamber for observation, wherein at least a portion of each said upper chamber and said lower chamber includes view means so that an observer may view the fluid in said chambers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
211 words
Apparatus connected to a bearing housing by means of an access pipe, for allowing observation of the lubricating oil in the bearing housing, ascertainment of the level of lubricating oil in the bearing housing, and maintenance of at least a desired oil level in the bearing housing, comprising: a tubular housing having a partition therein, defining an upper chamber and a lower chamber; an opening in said partition to allow fluid communication between said upper chamber and said lower chamber; a tube connected to said opening, and extending a distance into said lower chamber; an aperture through the housing in said lower chamber, to allow ambient pressure to be established when desired in said chamber; fluid communication means between said lower chamber and said access pipe; a plunger in said upper chamber, for forcing fluid from said chamber through said tube into said lower chamber, and thence through said fluid communication means into said access pipe, to flush said pipe, and then upon withdrawal for bringing fluid from said access pipe into said lower chamber and then into said upper chamber for observation, wherein at least a portion of each said upper chamber and said lower chamber includes view means so that an observer may view the fluid in said chambers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein the distance between the lower end of said tube and said partition is greater than the distance between said aperture and said partition.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein the volume of fluid in said access pipe is less than the volume of fluid in said lower chamber.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
191 words
A method for controlling and observing the lubricating oil in a bearing housing, comprising: attaching to said bearing housing through an access pipe, means comprising a housing having a partition therein defining an upper chamber and a lower chamber, said upper chamber having a plunger therein, and said lower chamber having a first opening to the atmosphere and a second opening to said access pipe therein, and said partition having an opening therein so that fluid communication may be established between said upper and lower chambers; observing the lubricating oil in said upper chamber to establish its initial condition; covering said first opening in said lower chamber; depressing said plunger to a point proximate said partition, to force lubricating oil from said first chamber into said second chamber and thence into said access pipe to flush said pipe; thence withdrawing said plunger to bring lubricating oil from said bearing housing into said upper chamber, and observing said oil therein to compare the condition of said oil with the initial condition; uncovering said first opening to establish atmospheric pressure in said second chamber; and observing the fluid level in said second chamber.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
191 words
A method for controlling and observing the lubricating oil in a bearing housing, comprising: attaching to said bearing housing through an access pipe, means comprising a housing having a partition therein defining an upper chamber and a lower chamber, said upper chamber having a plunger therein, and said lower chamber having a first opening to the atmosphere and a second opening to said access pipe therein, and said partition having an opening therein so that fluid communication may be established between said upper and lower chambers; observing the lubricating oil in said upper chamber to establish its initial condition; covering said first opening in said lower chamber; depressing said plunger to a point proximate said partition, to force lubricating oil from said first chamber into said second chamber and thence into said access pipe to flush said pipe; thence withdrawing said plunger to bring lubricating oil from said bearing housing into said upper chamber, and observing said oil therein to compare the condition of said oil with the initial condition; uncovering said first opening to establish atmospheric pressure in said second chamber; and observing the fluid level in said second chamber.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US635210A
Cited
US943959A
Cited
US1435276A
Cited
US1548222A
Cited
US1923857A
Cited
GB397857A
Cited
US1972962A
Cited
US2071929A
Cited
US2460814A
Cited
US2564230A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-10-05 | 1980-04-05 | 1980-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-10-05 | 1984-04-05 | 1984-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-10-05 | 1988-04-05 | 1988-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |