Brake fluid testing device
First Claim
1. A brake fluid testing device for measuring the quality of brake fluid, the device comprising:
- measuring means for measuring the conductivity of the brake fluid; and
indicating means responsive to the measuring means for indicating the quality of the brake fluid based on its measured conductivity, the indicating means comprising a plurality of actuable signal means and means for actuating each of the signal devices according to the relationship between the measured conductivity of the brake fluid and preselected benchmark values of the conductivity of the brake fluid being tested with preselected moisture contents.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A brake fluid tester for measuring the quality of brake fluid, comprising means for measuring the conductivity of the brake fluid, preferably comprising a plurality of comparators for comparing the resistance of the brake fluid to a plurality of reference, resistances. The device further comprises indicating means, preferably light emitting diodes, responsive to the measuring means for indicating the quality of the brake fluid based upon its measured conductivity. An increasing number of diodes are illuminated as the conductivity of the brake fluid increases, providing a positive indication when the device is working and providing an easy to interpret display of the test results. The diodes are preferably activated at preselected levels of conductivity, corresponding to preselected levels of moisture contamination.
16 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A brake fluid testing device for measuring the quality of brake fluid, the device comprising:
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measuring means for measuring the conductivity of the brake fluid; and indicating means responsive to the measuring means for indicating the quality of the brake fluid based on its measured conductivity, the indicating means comprising a plurality of actuable signal means and means for actuating each of the signal devices according to the relationship between the measured conductivity of the brake fluid and preselected benchmark values of the conductivity of the brake fluid being tested with preselected moisture contents. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A brake fluid testing device for measuring the quality of brake fluid, the device comprising:
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measuring means for measuring the conductivity of the brake fluid; and indicating means responsive to the measuring means for indicating the quality of the brake fluid based upon its measured conductivity, the indicating means including at least four actuable signal devices, and means for actuating one or more of the signal devices according to the measured conductivity of the brake fluid, the actuating means actuating an increasing number of the actuable signal devices as the measured conductivity of the brake fluid increases, the actuating means comprising means for actuating a first one of the signal devices when conductivity corresponding to nominal moisture in the brake fluid is measured;
means for actuating a second one of the signal devices when conductivity corresponding to at least 1% moisture in the brake fluid is measured;
means for actuating a third one of the signal devices when conductivity corresponding to at least 2% moisture in the brake fluid is measured; and
means for actuating a fourth one of the signal devices when conductivity corresponding to 3% moisture in the brake fluid is measured. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. A brake fluid testing device for measuring the quality of brake fluid, the device comprising:
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measuring means for measuring the conductivity of the brake fluid; indicating means responsive to the measuring means for indicating the quality of the brake fluid based upon its measured conductivity, the indicating means including at least four actuable signal devices, and means for actuating one or more of the signal devices according to the measured conductivity of the brake fluid, the actuating means actuating an increasing number of the actuable signal devices as the measured conductivity of the brake fluid increases, the actuating means comprising means for actuating a first one of the signal devices when conductivity measured is nominally greater than 0;
means for actuating a second one of the signal devices when the conductivity measured is at least about 2.09×
10-5 mho;
means for actuating a third one of the signal devices when the conductivity measured is at least about 2.22×
10-5 mhol; and
means for actuating a fourth one of the signal devices when the conductivity measured is at least about 2.46×
10-5 mho. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A brake fluid testing device for measuring the quality of brake fluid, the device comprising:
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a plurality of actuable signal devices; and comparing means for comparing the conductivity of the brake fluid to preselected references and for actuating each of the actuable signal devices when the conductivity of the brake fluid, as determined by the comparing means, exceeds a preselected benchmark value of conductivity corresponding to that signal device. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A brake fluid testing device for measuring the quality of brake fluid, the device comprising:
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at least four actuable signal devices; and comparing means for comparing the conductivity of the brake fluid to a reference and for actuating the actuable signal devices in response to the comparison, the means for comparing and actuating the signal devices comprising means for actuating a first one of the signal devices when the conductivity of the brake fluid is at least as great as a reference corresponding to nominal moisture in the brake fluid;
means for actuating a second one of the signal devices when the conductivity of the brake fluid is at least as great as a reference corresponding to at least 1% moisture in the brake fluid;
means for actuating a third one of the signal devices when the conductivity of the brake fluid is at least as great as a reference corresponding to at least 2% moisture in the brake fluid; and
means for actuating a fourth one of the signal devices when the conductivity of the brake fluid is at least as great as a reference corresponding to at least 3% moisture in the brake fluid. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A brake fluid testing device for measuring the quality of brake fluid, the device comprising:
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at least four actuable signal devices; and comparing means for comparing the conductivity of the brake fluid to a reference and for actuating the actuable signal devices in response to the comparison, the means for comparing and actuating the signals devices comprising means for actuating a first one of the signal devices when the conductivity of the brake fluid is at least as great as a reference of 0;
means for actuating a second one of the signal devices when the conductivity of the brake fluid is at least as great as a reference of about 2.09×
10-5 mho;
means for actuating a third one of the signal devices when the conductivity of the brake fluid is at least as great as a reference of about 2.22×
10-5 mho; and
means for actuating a fourth one of the signal devices when the conductivity of the brake fluid is at least as great as a reference of about 2.46×
10-5 mho. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A method of testing the quality of brake fluid comprising the steps of:
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measuring the conductivity of the brake fluid; displaying a representation of the quality of the brake fluid with a plurality of signal devices by actuating particular signal devices as the measured conductivity of the brake fluid reaches predetermined benchmark values corresponding to preselected moisture contents. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. A method of testing the quality of brake fluid comprising the steps of:
- comparing the conductivity of the brake fluid to predetermined references, corresponding to the conductivity of the brake fluid being tested at preselected moisture contents; and
actuating an actuable signal device corresponding to each reference depending upon the results of the comparison.
- comparing the conductivity of the brake fluid to predetermined references, corresponding to the conductivity of the brake fluid being tested at preselected moisture contents; and
Specification