US4140015A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bearing joint and method of measuring the fluid level therein
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
•
Filing: 1978-05-26
•
Granted: 1979-02-20
•
Expires: 1998-05-26
Abstract
Abstract A bearing joint has a body defining an internal chamber, an opening for supplying an electrically conducting fluid to the chamber, and an electrically nonconducting plug in the opening. An electrical conductor extends through the plug so that the electrical resistance can be measured through the fluid between the conductor and the body of the bearing joint.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert D. Roley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:21
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/24; G01F23/241
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
In a bearing joint of the type having a body defining an internal chamber, an opening for supplying a fluid to the chamber, and an electrically nonconducting plug having a central axis connected in the opening, wherein the improvement comprises: an electrical conductor extending through the plug and into communication with the chamber, the conductor having an axis offset from the central axis of the plug.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
66 words
In a bearing joint of the type having a body defining an internal chamber, an opening for supplying a fluid to the chamber, and an electrically nonconducting plug having a central axis connected in the opening, wherein the improvement comprises: an electrical conductor extending through the plug and into communication with the chamber, the conductor having an axis offset from the central axis of the plug.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The bearing joint of claim 1 wherein the body, the chamber, the opening and the plug have a common central axis and the axis of the conductor is parallel to the central axis and located a preselected radial distance therefrom.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The bearing joint of claim 2 wherein the fluid is oil having an electrically conductive material suspended therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The bearing joint of claim 1 wherein the plug has inner and outer end surfaces and the electrical conductor extends axially outwardly beyond the inner and outer end surfaces.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of measuring the fluid level in a bearing joint comprising: Step (a) filling an internal chamber in a body of the bearing joint with an electrically conducting fluid through an opening communicating with the chamber; Step (b) installing an electrically nonconducting plug having an electrical conductor in the body of the bearing joint, the conductor extending through the plug and into the chamber; and Step (c) measuring electrical resistance between the electrical conductor and the body as an indicator of the presence of the fluid in the chamber.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of measuring the fluid level in a bearing joint comprising: Step (a) filling an internal chamber in a body of the bearing joint with an electrically conducting fluid through an opening communicating with the chamber; Step (b) installing an electrically nonconducting plug having an electrical conductor in the body of the bearing joint, the conductor extending through the plug and into the chamber; and Step (c) measuring electrical resistance between the electrical conductor and the body as an indicator of the presence of the fluid in the chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 5 including Step (d) respositioning the electrical conductor at various elevational positions relative to the axis of the plug simultaneously with Step (c) and determining the fluid level in the joint by noting a substantial decrease in the electrical resistance when the conductor is at or below the fluid level.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2889545A
Cited
US3518962A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-02-19 | 1982-08-21 | 1983-02-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-02-19 | 1986-08-21 | 1987-02-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-02-19 | 1990-08-21 | 1991-02-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |