US4513774A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for minimizing the amount of fluid leaked from a component in a hydraulic power system when the system has failed
Assignee: British Gas PLC
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Filing: 1983-03-30
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Granted: 1985-04-30
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Expires: 2003-03-30
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to apparatus for minimizing the amount of fluid leaked from a component in a hydraulic power system when the component has failed. The apparatus comprises a tank for use as a reservoir for the hydraulic fluid, the tank having a first chamber for storing a main volume of the fluid and a second chamber communicating with the first chamber for storing a reference volume of the fluid. The second chamber is provided with a fluid level switch which deactivates the system power source when the quantity of fluid in the second chamber has fallen to or below a preset level as a result of its leakage from the system via a burst hose or the like. The chambers 2 and 3 are dimensioned so that for a given quantity of fluid entering or leaving the tank, fluid level fluctuation in the second chamber is greater than the corresponding fluid level fluctuation which would occur in the first chamber if the fluid were only entering or leaving the first chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald J. Reid
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:20
CPC Classifications
F; F15; F15B; F15B1/00; F15B1/26; F02; F02B; F02B1/00; F02B1/02; F02B1/04; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7287; Y10T137/7306; Y10T137/8158; Y10T137/8359; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86187; Y10T137/86212
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
Apparatus for minimizing the amount of fluid leaked from a component in a hydraulic power system when the component has failed, the apparatus comprising a tank for use as the reservoir for the hydraulic fluid, the tank having a first chamber for storing a main volume of the fluid and a second substantially smaller chamber for storing a substantially smaller reference volume of the fluid than the main volume stored by the first chamber, the second chamber being located immediately above the first chamber and communicating therewith, and means for deactivating the system power source when the quantity of fluid in the second chamber has fallen to or below a preset level as a result of leakage of that fluid from the system, whereby the relative volumes of the chambers are such that for a given quantity of fluid entering or leaving the tank, fluid level fluctuation in the second chamber is greater than the corresponding fluid level fluctuation which would occur in the first chamber if the fluid were only entering or leaving the first chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
Apparatus for minimizing the amount of fluid leaked from a component in a hydraulic power system when the component has failed, the apparatus comprising a tank for use as the reservoir for the hydraulic fluid, the tank having a first chamber for storing a main volume of the fluid and a second substantially smaller chamber for storing a substantially smaller reference volume of the fluid than the main volume stored by the first chamber, the second chamber being located immediately above the first chamber and communicating therewith, and means for deactivating the system power source when the quantity of fluid in the second chamber has fallen to or below a preset level as a result of leakage of that fluid from the system, whereby the relative volumes of the chambers are such that for a given quantity of fluid entering or leaving the tank, fluid level fluctuation in the second chamber is greater than the corresponding fluid level fluctuation which would occur in the first chamber if the fluid were only entering or leaving the first chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the means for deactivating the power source comprises a fluid level sensor located in the second chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the tank includes an expansion chamber communicating with the second chamber but isolated from the first chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
165 words
Apparatus for minimizing the amount of fluid leaked from a component in a hydraulic power system when the component has failed, the apparatus comprising a tank for use as the reservoir for the hydraulic fluid, the tank having a first chamber for storing a main volume of the fluid, a second chamber communicating with the first chamber for storing a reference volume of fluid, an expansion chamber communicating with the second chamber but isolated from the first chamber and means for deactivating the system power source when the quantity of fluid in the second chamber has fallen to or below a preset level as a result of the leakage of that fluid from the system, the chambers being so dimensioned that for a given quantity of fluid entering or leaving the tank, fluid level fluctuation in the second chamber is greater than the corresponding fluid level fluctuation which would occur in the first chamber if the fluid were only entering or leaving the first chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
165 words
Apparatus for minimizing the amount of fluid leaked from a component in a hydraulic power system when the component has failed, the apparatus comprising a tank for use as the reservoir for the hydraulic fluid, the tank having a first chamber for storing a main volume of the fluid, a second chamber communicating with the first chamber for storing a reference volume of fluid, an expansion chamber communicating with the second chamber but isolated from the first chamber and means for deactivating the system power source when the quantity of fluid in the second chamber has fallen to or below a preset level as a result of the leakage of that fluid from the system, the chambers being so dimensioned that for a given quantity of fluid entering or leaving the tank, fluid level fluctuation in the second chamber is greater than the corresponding fluid level fluctuation which would occur in the first chamber if the fluid were only entering or leaving the first chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which the means for deactivating the power source comprises a fluid level switch located in the second chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
215 words
Apparatus for minimizing the amount of fluid leaked from the component in a hydraulic power system when the component has failed, the apparatus comprising a tank for use as the reservoir for the hydraulic fluid, the tank having a first chamber for storing a main volume of the fluid, a second chamber for storing a reference volume of the fluid, the second chamber being located immediately above the first chamber and communicating therewith, an expansion chamber located laterally of the second chamber and above the first chamber, an upper portion of the tank being divided by walls into the second chamber and the expansion chamber, and the second chamber and the expansion chamber communicating with one another through apertures formed in the walls near the bottom thereof, and means for deactivating the system power source when the quantity of fluid in the second chamber has fallen to or below a preset level as a result of the leakage of that fluid from the system, the chambers being so dimensioned that for a given quantity of fluid entering or leaving the tank, the fluid level fluctuation in the second chamber is greater than the corresponding fluid level fluctuation which would occur in the first chamber if the fluid were only entering or leaving the first chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
215 words
Apparatus for minimizing the amount of fluid leaked from the component in a hydraulic power system when the component has failed, the apparatus comprising a tank for use as the reservoir for the hydraulic fluid, the tank having a first chamber for storing a main volume of the fluid, a second chamber for storing a reference volume of the fluid, the second chamber being located immediately above the first chamber and communicating therewith, an expansion chamber located laterally of the second chamber and above the first chamber, an upper portion of the tank being divided by walls into the second chamber and the expansion chamber, and the second chamber and the expansion chamber communicating with one another through apertures formed in the walls near the bottom thereof, and means for deactivating the system power source when the quantity of fluid in the second chamber has fallen to or below a preset level as a result of the leakage of that fluid from the system, the chambers being so dimensioned that for a given quantity of fluid entering or leaving the tank, the fluid level fluctuation in the second chamber is greater than the corresponding fluid level fluctuation which would occur in the first chamber if the fluid were only entering or leaving the first chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which the means for deactivating the power source comprises a fluid level switch located in the second chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
185 words
A hydraulic power system including apparatus for minimizing the amount of fluid leaked from a component in the hydraulic power system when the component has failed, said apparatus comprising a tank for use as the reservoir for the hydraulic fluid, the tank having a first chamber for storing a main volume of the fluid and a second substantially smaller chamber communicating with the first chamber for storing a substantially smaller reference volume of the fluid than the main volume stored by the first chamber, the second chamber being located immediately above the first chamber and means for deactivating the system power source when the quantity of fluid in the second chamber has fallen to or below a preset level as a result of the leakage of that fluid from the system, whereby the relative volumes of the chambers are such that for a given quantity of fluid entering or leaving the tank, fluid level fluctuation in the second chamber is greater than the corresponding fluid level fluctuation which would occur in the first chamber if the fluid were only entering or leaving the first chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
185 words
A hydraulic power system including apparatus for minimizing the amount of fluid leaked from a component in the hydraulic power system when the component has failed, said apparatus comprising a tank for use as the reservoir for the hydraulic fluid, the tank having a first chamber for storing a main volume of the fluid and a second substantially smaller chamber communicating with the first chamber for storing a substantially smaller reference volume of the fluid than the main volume stored by the first chamber, the second chamber being located immediately above the first chamber and means for deactivating the system power source when the quantity of fluid in the second chamber has fallen to or below a preset level as a result of the leakage of that fluid from the system, whereby the relative volumes of the chambers are such that for a given quantity of fluid entering or leaving the tank, fluid level fluctuation in the second chamber is greater than the corresponding fluid level fluctuation which would occur in the first chamber if the fluid were only entering or leaving the first chamber.
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) | 1988-04-29 | 1988-10-29 | 1989-04-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-04-29 | 1992-10-29 | 1993-04-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-04-29 | 1996-10-29 | 1997-04-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |