US4595341A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid supply apparatus including plural reservoirs and condition responsive control of pump drive motor by contaminant sensing probes
Assignee: Bentley Motors Ltd
•
Filing: 1984-07-03
•
Granted: 1986-06-17
•
Expires: 2004-07-03
Abstract
Abstract An automobile hydraulic braking circuit comprises two reservoirs in addition to the main hydraulic fluid reservoir. One additional reservoir can replenish the other which in turn can replenish the main hydraulic reservoir. A peristaltic pump controls fluid flow to the main reservoir from the adjacent additional reservoir. Probes in the additional reservoirs operate in conjunction with control circuitry to inhibit operation of the pump to prevent contaminated fluid from being supplied to the main reservoir.
Inventors
- 👤 John V. Castell-Evans
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 16:52
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60T; B60T13/00; B60T13/02; B60T13/06; B60T13/08; B60T17/00; B60T17/18; B60T17/22; F; F04; F04B; F04B49/00; F04B49/02; F04B49/025; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8158
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
Fluid supply apparatus comprising: a first fluid reservoir; a second fluid reservoir; a fluid connection between the two reservoirs; an intermediate tank disposed in the fluid connection between the two reservoirs; a pump disposed in the connection for pumping fluid from the first to the second reservoir; probes in the first fluid reservoir and in the intermediate tank for sensing the presence of an electrically conductive contaminant; and control circuitry for preventing operation of the pump when a containment is sensed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
Fluid supply apparatus comprising: a first fluid reservoir; a second fluid reservoir; a fluid connection between the two reservoirs; an intermediate tank disposed in the fluid connection between the two reservoirs; a pump disposed in the connection for pumping fluid from the first to the second reservoir; probes in the first fluid reservoir and in the intermediate tank for sensing the presence of an electrically conductive contaminant; and control circuitry for preventing operation of the pump when a containment is sensed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
Fluid supply apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the intermediate tank is disposed between the first reservoir and the pump.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
111 words
Fluid supply apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which an intermediate tank is disposed in the fluid connection between the first and second reservoirs, probes are positioned in the intermediate tank for sensing the presence of an electrically conductive contaminant and control circuitry comprising relays disposed in the electrical supply circuit to the pump, one of the relays being operative to cause the pump to operate to replenish fluid lost from the second reservoir with fluid from the intermediate tank and another being operative to prevent operation of the pump in the event a contaminant is sensed by either the probes in the first reservoir or in the intermediate tank.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
Fluid supply apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which control circuitry receives signals from the probes and controls operation of the pump in dependence upon the signals received.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
Fluid supply apparatus as claimed in claim 4, in which the control circuitry comprises relays disposed in the electrical supply circuit to the pump.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
Fluid supply apparatus as claimed in claim 5, in which the control circuitry comprises an indicator for indicating the operative condition of the apparatus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
87 words
A vehicle breaking circuit having a fluid supply apparatus comprising a first fluid reservoir, a second fluid reservoir, a fluid connection between the two reservoirs, an intermediate tank disposed in the fluid connection between the two reservoirs, a pump disposed in the connection for pumping fluid from the first to the second reservoir, probes in the first fluid reservoir and in the intermediate tank for sensing the presence of an electrically conductive contaminant, and control circuitry for preventing operation of the pump when a contaminant is sensed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
87 words
A vehicle breaking circuit having a fluid supply apparatus comprising a first fluid reservoir, a second fluid reservoir, a fluid connection between the two reservoirs, an intermediate tank disposed in the fluid connection between the two reservoirs, a pump disposed in the connection for pumping fluid from the first to the second reservoir, probes in the first fluid reservoir and in the intermediate tank for sensing the presence of an electrically conductive contaminant, and control circuitry for preventing operation of the pump when a contaminant is sensed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
82 words
Fluid supply apparatus comprising: a first fluid reservoir; a second fluid reservoir; a fluid connection between the two reservoirs; an intermediate tank disposed in the fluid connection between the two reservoirs; a peristaltic pump disposed in the connection for pumping fluid from the first to the second reservoir; probes in the first fluid reservoir and in the intermediate tank for sensing the presence of an electrically conductive contaminant; and control circuitry for preventing operation of the pump when a contaminant is sensed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
82 words
Fluid supply apparatus comprising: a first fluid reservoir; a second fluid reservoir; a fluid connection between the two reservoirs; an intermediate tank disposed in the fluid connection between the two reservoirs; a peristaltic pump disposed in the connection for pumping fluid from the first to the second reservoir; probes in the first fluid reservoir and in the intermediate tank for sensing the presence of an electrically conductive contaminant; and control circuitry for preventing operation of the pump when a contaminant is sensed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
106 words
A fluid supply apparatus comprising: a first fluid reservoir; a second fluid reservoir; a fluid connection between said two reservoirs; an intermediate tank disposed in the fluid connection between the two reservoirs; a pump disposed in the connection for pumping fluid from the first to the second reservoir; probes in the first fluid reservoir and in the intermediate tank for sensing the presence of an electrically conductive contaminant; and control circuitry for preventing operation of the pump when a contaminant is sensed, said control circuitry including a delay circuit for inhibiting pump operation until a contaminant condition has existed for a predetermined minimum period of time.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
106 words
A fluid supply apparatus comprising: a first fluid reservoir; a second fluid reservoir; a fluid connection between said two reservoirs; an intermediate tank disposed in the fluid connection between the two reservoirs; a pump disposed in the connection for pumping fluid from the first to the second reservoir; probes in the first fluid reservoir and in the intermediate tank for sensing the presence of an electrically conductive contaminant; and control circuitry for preventing operation of the pump when a contaminant is sensed, said control circuitry including a delay circuit for inhibiting pump operation until a contaminant condition has existed for a predetermined minimum period of time.
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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) | 1989-06-16 | 1989-12-16 | 1990-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-06-16 | 1993-12-16 | 1994-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-06-16 | 1997-12-16 | 1998-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |