Method and apparatus for observing, indicating and maintaining fluid level

• US 3,983,958 A
• Filed: 10/09/1975
• Issued: 10/05/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Michael R. Swearingen
• Original Assignee: Michael R. Swearingen
• Inventors: Swearingen, Michael R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pinkham, Richard C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kramer, Arnold W.
• Application Number:
  US05/621,236
• Time in Patent Office: 362 Days
• Field of Search: 184/103 R, 184/103 A, 184/65, 184/66, 184/74, 184/76, 184/80, 184/1 C, 184/1 E, 184/1.5, 184/6, 184/6.4, 184/6.28, 184/28, 184/96, 184/97, 184/38 R, 184/38 A, 184/38 B , 184/38 C, 116/118 R, 116/118 A, 137/453, 73/32.3, 134/169 R, 134/169 A, 134/169 C, 134/113, 134/196, 134/197, 417/63, 417/437
• US Class Current: 184/28
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 13/08 by hand or foot
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 19/003 Indicating oil level measuring liquid level in general G01F
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 19/006 Maintaining oil level level control in general G05D9/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7498 Barometric

Abstract

Apparatus is provided for attachment to a bearing housing through an access conduit, which provides means for allowing observation of the lubricating oil in the bearing housing, ascertaining the level of oil in the lubricating housing, and maintaining a desired fluid level in the bearing. The apparatus provided has an upper chamber and lower chamber, separated by a partition. An opening in the partition allows fluid communication between the upper and lower chambers with a tube connected to the opening and extending a distance into the lower chamber. An aperture through the housing in the lower chamber above the lower end of the tube allows ambient pressure in the lower chamber. Lubricating oil in the two chambers may be pushed from the chambers through the access conduit by a plunger in the upper chamber when the aperture is covered by the hand to remove any blockage of the conduit and then upon withdrawal of the plunger bringing fluid back into the lower and upper chamber. Oil may be observed for condition in the chambers, and the oil level in the bearing determined. When the aperture is uncovered the oil is maintained at the desired level.

Claims

1. Apparatus connected to a bearing housing by means of an access pipe, for allowing observation of the lubricating oil in the bearing housing, ascertainment of the level of lubricating oil in the bearing housing, and maintenance of at least a desired oil level in the bearing housing, comprising:

a housing comprising a first chamber and a second chamber;

a partition between said first chamber and said second chamber, said partition having an opening therein;

a tube attached to said opening and extending into said second chamber;

means in said first chamber for displacing the lubricating oil from said chamber and for drawing oil back thereinto;

an opening to the atmosphere in said second chamber to allow ambient pressure to be established when desired in said chamber; and

means for fluid communication from a lower part of said second chamber to said access pipe.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means in said first chamber comprises a plunger connected to an operating rod.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said apparatus housing is of tubular configuration.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3, wherein said housing is constructed of transparent material.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said opening to the atmosphere is closer to said partition than is the end of said tube opposite said partition.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the volume of fluid in said access pipe is less than the volume of fluid in said second chamber.

7. Apparatus connected to a bearing housing by means of an access pipe, for allowing observation of the lubricating oil in the bearing housing, ascertainment of the level of lubricating oil in the bearing housing, and maintenance of at least a desired oil level in the bearing housing, comprising:

a tubular housing having a partition therein, defining an upper chamber and a lower chamber;

an opening in said partition to allow fluid communication between said upper chamber and said lower chamber;

a tube connected to said opening, and extending a distance into said lower chamber;

an aperture through the housing in said lower chamber, to allow ambient pressure to be established when desired in said chamber;

fluid communication means between said lower chamber and said access pipe;

a plunger in said upper chamber, for forcing fluid from said chamber through said tube into said lower chamber, and thence through said fluid communication means into said access pipe, to flush said pipe, and then upon withdrawal for bringing fluid from said access pipe into said lower chamber and then into said upper chamber for observation, wherein at least a portion of each said upper chamber and said lower chamber includes view means so that an observer may view the fluid in said chambers.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein the distance between the lower end of said tube and said partition is greater than the distance between said aperture and said partition.

9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein the volume of fluid in said access pipe is less than the volume of fluid in said lower chamber.

10. A method for controlling and observing the lubricating oil in a bearing housing, comprising:

attaching to said bearing housing through an access pipe, means comprising a housing having a partition therein defining an upper chamber and a lower chamber, said upper chamber having a plunger therein, and said lower chamber having a first opening to the atmosphere and a second opening to said access pipe therein, and said partition having an opening therein so that fluid communication may be established between said upper and lower chambers;

observing the lubricating oil in said upper chamber to establish its initial condition;

covering said first opening in said lower chamber;

depressing said plunger to a point proximate said partition, to force lubricating oil from said first chamber into said second chamber and thence into said access pipe to flush said pipe;

thence withdrawing said plunger to bring lubricating oil from said bearing housing into said upper chamber, and observing said oil therein to compare the condition of said oil with the initial condition;

uncovering said first opening to establish atmospheric pressure in said second chamber; and

observing the fluid level in said second chamber.