US4475407A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Temperature compensated flow sensor
Assignee: Brunswick Corp
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Filing: 1982-12-27
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Granted: 1984-10-09
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Expires: 2002-12-27
Abstract
Abstract A temperature compensated flow sensor (10) for monitoring oil flow to a two-cycle engine includes a magnetic flow sensing body (26) mounted in a flow sensing bore (21). The position of the flow sensing body is detected by a Hall switch (42) to provide an electrical output indicating a flow or a no flow condition. The flow sensing body (26) is biased toward the Hall switch (42) by a spring (27) and a spring follower (31) controls the spring rate as a function of temperature. A thermal power element (35) moves the spring follower as a function of temperature to compensate for the change of oil viscosity with temperature.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis E. Kruncos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 10:28
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/05; G01F1/20; G01F1/22; G01F15/00; G01F15/02; G01P; G01P13/00; G01P13/0006; G01P13/0013; G01P13/002; F; F02; F02B; F02B75/00; F02B75/02; F02B2075/022; F02B2075/025; F02B61/00; F02B61/04; F02B61/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A flow sensor for detecting flow of a relatively viscous fluid and producing an electrical signal indicative of the flow of said viscous fluid, said flow sensor comprising: (A) a sensor housing having a cylindrical bore, a fluid inlet in communication with a first end of said bore, a port in the cylindrical wall of said bore, and fluid outlet in communication with said port; (B) a cylindrical flow sensing body mounted in said cylindrical bore; (C) a spring means mounted in said bore to bias said sensing body toward said first end of said bore to normally block flow from said inlet to said outlet; (D) a position sensing means mounted in said sensor housing to detect the position of said flow sensing body; and (E) a compensating means to reduce the biasing force provided by said spring means as the temperature of the fluid flowing through said sensor increases.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
A flow sensor for detecting flow of a relatively viscous fluid and producing an electrical signal indicative of the flow of said viscous fluid, said flow sensor comprising: (A) a sensor housing having a cylindrical bore, a fluid inlet in communication with a first end of said bore, a port in the cylindrical wall of said bore, and fluid outlet in communication with said port; (B) a cylindrical flow sensing body mounted in said cylindrical bore; (C) a spring means mounted in said bore to bias said sensing body toward said first end of said bore to normally block flow from said inlet to said outlet; (D) a position sensing means mounted in said sensor housing to detect the position of said flow sensing body; and (E) a compensating means to reduce the biasing force provided by said spring means as the temperature of the fluid flowing through said sensor increases.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The flow sensor defined in claim 1 wherein said cylindrical flow sensing body has a smaller cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of said bore whereby a relatively non-viscous fluid may flow from said inlet to said outlet without displacing said flow sensing body to open said port.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The flow sensor defined in claim 2 wherein said compensating means includes a follower, with said spring means mounted between said follower and said flow sensing body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
The flow sensor defined in claim 3 wherein said compensating means further includes a temperature sensing device exposed to said viscous fluid and having a mechanical output element, said output element connected to said follower to move said follower away from said flow sensing body as the temperature of said viscous fluid increases.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The flow sensor defined in claim 4 wherein said spring means is a coil spring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The flow sensor defined in claim 5 further comprising a follower spring mounted in said sensor housing to bias said follower toward said mechanical output element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The flow sensor defined in claim 1 wherein said flow sensing body is magnetically polarized along its axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The flow sensor defined in claim 7 wherein said position sensing means includes a Hall-effect switch mounted in said sensor housing adjacent said first end of said bore.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The flow sensor defined in claim 8 wherein said position sensing means further includes a flux concentrator mounted in said housing coaxially with said bore.
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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) | 1987-10-09 | 1988-04-09 | 1988-10-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-10-09 | 1992-04-09 | 1992-10-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-10-09 | 1996-04-09 | 1996-10-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |