OIL LEVEL INDICATOR FOR A SCREW-TYPE COMPRESSOR

• US 20130068563A1
• Filed: 04/13/2011
• Published: 03/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme FüR Schienenfahrzeuge GmbH (Estate of Heinz Hermann Thiele)
• Original Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme FüR Schienenfahrzeuge GmbH (Estate of Heinz Hermann Thiele)
• Inventors: Kck, Engelbert
• Granted Patent: US 9,260,989 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 184/108
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 11/12 concerning lubricant level
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2700/03 Oil level
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/2922 with light-conducting sensing elements, e.g. prisms
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/2925 using electrical detecting means

Abstract

A device for monitoring and/or indicating an oil level in an oil sump of a screw-type compressor, the oil level fluctuating in different operating states of the screw-type compressor. A device for monitoring and indicating the oil level in a screw-type compressor, the reliability thereof being improved over the prior art and erroneous measurements being excluded. The device is an optical unit which has no mechanically moving parts that can become damaged during the often rough use of the device.

Claims

1. A device for monitoring and/or displaying an oil level, the device, comprising:

an optical unit

wherein the oil level fluctuates in different operating states of a screw-type compressor, in an oil sump of the screw-type compressor.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the optical unit is a sensor.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the optical unit is a switch without mechanically acting parts.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising an electronic evaluation device connected to the optical unit.

5. The device of claim 4, the evaluation device is combined with the optical unit to form a structural unit and/or is arranged separately from the optical unit.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the evaluation device evaluates, together with the signals of the optical unit, operating states of the screw-type compressor and/or of a vehicle into which the screw-type compressor is integrated.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the optical unit is mounted in a mounting device for connection to the screw-type compressor.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the mounting device connects to a protective hose.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein the evaluation device is integrated into the mounting device.

10. The device of claim 5, wherein the evaluation device evaluates, together with the signals of the optical unit, operating states of the screw-type compressor and/or of a vehicle into which the screw-type compressor is integrated.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the optical unit is mounted in a mounting device for connection to the screw-type compressor.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the mounting device connects to a protective hose.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the evaluation device is integrated into the mounting device.