Filter change indicator
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A fluid system pressure indicator comprising:
- a housing comprising a containment vessel having an interior, a fluid system coupling defining a fluid communication passage providing a first fluid path between a portion of the containment vessel interior and an exterior of the containment vessel, and a cover having an opening;
a pressure communicator located within the housing, said pressure communicator having a fluid contact portion and an actuator;
a fluid diaphragm sealingly engaged with the housing and the pressure communicator such that the fluid contact portion of the pressure communicator is fluidly separated from the actuator;
a pressure communicator spring which exerts a continuous unidirectional pressure on the pressure communicator;
a selectively movable indicator having an actuator engagement surface and at least one indicator portion which is projectable through the cover opening for extension exteriorly of the cover; and
an indicator spring which exerts a continuous unidirectional pressure on the indicator, wherein the extension of said indicator is indicative of the pressure applied to said fluid contact portion.
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Abstract
A fluid system pressure indicator is adapted for use in fluid systems having a filter element. The fluid system force indicator includes a housing partitioned to be exposed to the fluid system to provide transmission of a mechanical force between these partitioned environments to indicate the fluid pressure. This exterior shape change is such that it can be identified through tactile means not requiring visual identification.
23 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A fluid system pressure indicator comprising:
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a housing comprising a containment vessel having an interior, a fluid system coupling defining a fluid communication passage providing a first fluid path between a portion of the containment vessel interior and an exterior of the containment vessel, and a cover having an opening;
a pressure communicator located within the housing, said pressure communicator having a fluid contact portion and an actuator;
a fluid diaphragm sealingly engaged with the housing and the pressure communicator such that the fluid contact portion of the pressure communicator is fluidly separated from the actuator;
a pressure communicator spring which exerts a continuous unidirectional pressure on the pressure communicator;
a selectively movable indicator having an actuator engagement surface and at least one indicator portion which is projectable through the cover opening for extension exteriorly of the cover; and
an indicator spring which exerts a continuous unidirectional pressure on the indicator, wherein the extension of said indicator is indicative of the pressure applied to said fluid contact portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A fluid system/pressure indicator combination comprising:
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a fluid system having a fluid pathway extending between a fluid pump and a filter element;
a housing having an interior fluid portion in fluid communication with the fluid pathway, said housing having a cover with an opening;
an axially displaceable pressure communicator having an actuator within the housing, said communicator being at least partially in fluid contact with the fluid system;
a fluid diaphragm fluidly separating the actuator from the fluid system;
an indicator spring exerting an axial pressure on the pressure communicator;
a projectable indicator having an actuator engagement surface and at least one portion which is projectable through the opening to an exterior of the housing; and
said indicator spring exerting a biasing pressure on the indicator such that when actuator and actuator engagement surface are not in engagement, a portion of the projectable indicator is projected through the opening to an exterior of the housing. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A fluid system pressure indicator comprising:
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a housing comprising a fluid portion, a non-fluid portion, a fluid system coupling, a fluid communication passage providing a first fluid path between the fluid portion and an exterior of the housing, and a cover having an opening;
a pressure communicator located within the housing, said pressure communicator having a fluid contact portion and an actuator;
a fluid diaphragm sealingly engaged with the housing and the pressure communicator such that the fluid contact portion of the pressure communicator is fluidly separated from the actuator;
a communicator spring which exerts a continuous pressure on the pressure communicator;
a selectively movable indicator at least partially present in the non-fluid portion of the housing, and having an actuator engagement surface and at least one indicator portion of which is projectable through the opening for extension exteriorly of the cover; and
a second spring which exerts a continuous unidirectional pressure on the indicator, wherein the extension of said indicator is indicative of the pressure applied to said fluid contact portion.
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27. A one piece component for response to a pressure differential comprising a plastic diaphragm and a plastic shaft axially projecting integrally from a central location of said diaphragm wherein said diaphragm has a pre-established flexure characteristic which results in a dampened displacement of said shaft in response to a pressure of said shaft in response to a pressure differential exerted against said diaphragm.
Specification