Visual and electronic battery hydrometer

• US 3,954,010 A
• Filed: 04/25/1975
• Issued: 05/04/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Hilblom, Richard W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Queisser, Richard C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Roskos, Joseph W.
• Application Number:
  US05/571,896
• Time in Patent Office: 375 Days
• Field of Search: 73/444, 73/447, 73/327, 73/291, 73/293, 116/118 R, 136/182
• US Class Current: 73/291
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/2922 with light-conducting sensing elements, e.g. prisms
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 9/18 Special adaptations for indicating, recording, or control
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/484 for measuring electrolyte level, electrolyte density or electrolyte conductivity
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A combined visual and electronic liquid indicator which may be used as a battery hydrometer is disclosed. An outer housing of a generally cylindrical shape receives a centrally located elongated light transmitting viewing rod. The lower portion of the rod extends into a channel at the lower end of the outer housing. A float is retained in the channel by a retaining cage. A second generally cylindrical inner member which fits over the rod and into the outer housing has a light sensor and a light detector secured at its lower end across diametrically opposite portions of the float channel, and the outer housing and the inner member are then sealed together.

Claims

1. A combined direct visual and remote liquid condition indicating device comprising a container means having an open end, a closed end which is insertable into the liquid to be monitored and a channel which extends towards said open end of said container means from said closed end;

a float retained in said channel, an inner member having an exterior shape that is configurated so as to generally conform to the interior shape of said container means, a light source and a light detector secured to said inner member on opposite sides of said channel in alignment with each other so that said float acts as a shutter therebetween in accordance with the level and specific gravity of the liquid that is being monitored, said light source and said light detector being positioned adjacent said closed end of said container means, an elongated light transmitting direct viewing rod secured to said container means and having a conical shaped end portion which extends into said channel for providing a visual liquid condition indication adjacent said open end of said container means, terminal means on said inner member adjacent said open end of said container means, electrical lead wires extending from said light source and from said light detector to said terminal means and sealing means for sealing said container means and said inner member so as to prevent liquid from reaching said light source and said light detector.

2. A liquid condition indicating device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said container means and said inner member are of a general cylindrical shape.

3. A liquid condition indicating device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said inner member comprises one or more bore holes adjacent said open end of said container means.

4. A liquid condition indicating device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said inner member has an upper disc of a predetermined thickness and one or more wall portions that are thinner than said predetermined thickness with each of said wall portions being in alignment with one of said bores.