Liquid level sensing circuitry

• US 4,385,290 A
• Filed: 08/25/1981
• Issued: 05/24/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sparton Corporation (Elbit Systems Limited)
• Original Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co (3M Company)
• Inventors: Fiala, Jimmy L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Caldwell, Sr., John W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Myer, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US06/296,064
• Time in Patent Office: 637 Days
• Field of Search: 340/620, 340/59, 73/304 R, 73/304 C, 235/92 FL
• US Class Current: 340/620
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/243 Schematic arrangements of probes combined with measuring circuits

Abstract

Liquid level sensing circuitry useable for detecting the presence of an acceptable or unacceptable level for a liquid, such as engine oil. Prior to termination of the operation of the engine, the circuitry presents an unacceptable level indication at a control point. After completion of a time delay following termination of engine operation, an acceptable level must be presented for a time to cause an acceptable level indication at the control point which is maintained pending initiation of engine operation. Upon initiation of engine operation a first discernible indication is provided for a time period if the control point presents an unacceptable level indication with a second discernible indication provided for such time period if the control point presents an acceptable level indication.

Claims

1. Liquid level sensing circuitry adapted for energization from a d.c. power source including:

a first circuit portion having a conductive probe adapted for connection to the d.c. source for providing a first signal at said conductive probe when the liquid is not in contact with said conductive probe and providing a second signal when the liquid sensed is in contact with said conductive probe;

a second circuit portion operatively connected to said first circuit portion and including a switched electrical power conductor for controlling the application of d.c. power to said second circuit portion and a control point for providing a first state for said control point independent of said first circuit portion upon completion of a time period following the application of d.c. power to said second circuit portion via said switched electrical power conductor and for providing a second state for said control point provided said second signal is present for a period of time following the removal of d.c. power to said second circuit portion via said switched electrical power conductor; and

a third circuit portion operatively connected to said second circuit portion and said switched electrical power conductor of said second circuit portion and having a first discernible indicator for providing a first discernible indication in response to said first state of said control point if present after a period of time following termination of d.c. power to said second circuit portion via said switched electrical power conductor plus subsequent supply of d.c. power via said switched electrical power conductor and a second discernible indicator for providing a second discernible indication in response to said second state at said control point and the supply of d.c. power via said switched electrical power conductor.

2. Liquid level sensing circuitry according to claim 1 wherein said second circuit portion includes a signal storage circuit portion operatively connected to said first circuit portion and including said control point of said second circuit portion;

said second circuit portion further including a delay circuit portion operatively connected to the said switched electrical power conductor and having a second control points operatively connected to said signal storage circuit portion and said third means for providing a first state for said second control point after the supply of d.c. power of said delay circuit portion via said switched electrical power conductor has been terminated for a period of time, and for providing a second state for said second control point following the application of d.c. power to said delay circuit for a period of time via said switched electrical power conductor for establishing said first state for said first-mentioned control point, preventing said signal storage circuit portion from operating to provide said second state of said first-mentioned control point and inhibiting the operation of said third circuit portion to provide said first discernible indication.

3. Liquid level sensing circuitry according to claim 2 wherein said signal storage circuit portion includes a capacitor operatively connected to said conductive probe and to said second control point, the charge level of said capacitor determining the state of said first-mentioned control point, said capacitor receiving a current for charging said capacitor when said conductive probe provides said second signal and said first state is provided at said second control point, said signal storage circuit including a charge maintenance circuit portion operatively connected to said first-mentioned control point for providing charging current to said capacitor when said second state is present at said first-mentioned control point.

4. Liquid level sensing circuitry according to claim 2 wherein said third circuit portion includes an oscillator circuit operatively connected to said first discernible indicator for controlling the operation of said first discernible indicator when said first state of said first-mentioned control point is present, said oscillator circuit operatively connected to said second control point to inhibit operation of said oscillator circuit while said second state of said second control point is present.

5. Liquid level sensing circuitry according to claim 4 wherein said signal storage circuit portion is operatively connected to said oscillator for preventing said signal storage circuit when said oscillator is in operation from establishing said second state at said first-mentioned control point in response to said second signal when produced by momentary contact of said conductive probe with the liquid sensed.

6. Liquid level sensing circuitry according to claim 4 wherein said oscillator circuit is operatively connected to said first-mentioned control point for inhibiting the operation of said oscillator circuit when the said second state of said first-mentioned control point is present.

7. Liquid level sensing circuitry according to claim 4 wherein said signal storage circuit portion includes a capacitor operatively connected to said conductive probe, to said second control point and to said oscillator, the charge on said capacitor determining the state of said first-mentioned control point, said capacitor receiving current for charging said capacitor when said conductive probe provides said second signal and said first state is provided at said second control point, said oscillator when operating providing limited discharge of said capacitor for a portion of each cycle of operation of said oscillator preventing said capacitor from reaching a charge level to establish said second state at said first-mentioned control point signal when produced by momentary contact of said conductive probe with the liquid sensed.

8. Liquid level sensing circuitry according to claim 1 wherein said switched electrical power conductor includes an electrode controlled solid state switch operatively connected for providing the switching action for the application of d.c. power to said second means from the d.c. power source, said electrode controlled solid state switch having a control electrode for permitting the switching by said control electrode of said electrode controlled solid state switch from a limited current source.