Patent Publication Number: US-11378437-B2

Title: Fluid level gauge or reservoir with built-in light source

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/851,243, filed 21 Dec. 2017. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to devices that illuminate fluid level verification gauges which are operable to measure the amount of fluid present in a fluid container such as a tank, machine, or other article of manufacture and more specifically, devices where the source of illumination is integrated with the fluid level gauge as a single unit and activated by a sensor that detects movement such as the presence of a person. Alternatively, the present invention relates generally to devices that illuminate fluid reservoirs which are operative to dispense fluids, such as lubricants to a machine or article of manufacture. Again, more specifically devices where the source of illumination is integrated with the fluid reservoir as a single unit and activated by a sensor that detects movement such as the presence of a person. 
     Fluid level verification devices are known in the art. A fluid level verification device provides for an inspection tube having an interior conduit dimensioned to create an interference fit with an o-ring used to hermetically seal the inspection tube to one or more end members. A more common fluid level verification device in the art provides for an inspection tube whereby both ends incorporate grooving and o-rings that seal with opposing end members to isolate the inspection tube from the environment. A fluid level verification device in the art may also provide for an external shield positioned about the inspection tube to protect it from damage. 
     Illuminating a fluid level verification apparatus is also known in the art. For example, the prior art describes a lighting assembly that aids in the visual indication of the fluid level in a container by utilizing fiber optic light cables in combination with a gas filled light source to illuminate the transparent fluid level indication viewing window. Another fluid level verification apparatus in the prior art provides for a separate backlighting illumination apparatus that attaches to sight glasses that indicate fluid level or flow. Yet another fluid level verification apparatus in the prior art provides a liquid level gauge having a chamber connected to a tank containing a liquid, a transparent member in the wall of the chamber, a light transmitting transparent rod extending through the chamber, and a light source shining rays of light into the rod from the exterior. 
     In addition, at present there are a variety of reservoirs for containing and dispensing fluids, such as lubricants. One common prior art reservoir uses a cylindrical or rectangular container with a screw on top cover. Another uses a cylindrical or rectangular container with a screw on bottom cover. In both instances, the containers may be made from glass or plastic. Another typical prior art reservoir utilizes a top end plate, a bottom end plate, a cylindrical body and a centrally located tie rod to secure the end plates to each end of the cylindrical body. It is critical that these reservoirs have sufficient levels of liquid, such as a lubricant within the reservoir and that these reservoirs are refilled before reaching an empty condition. 
     Prior art has successfully introduced the ability to verify the fluid level in fluid level gauges and reservoirs in dark or dimly lit environments through various illumination devices. However, although some of the prior art contemplates sources of illumination that are integral to the fluid level gauge, no integral sources of illumination are coupled with a sensor that actives the source of illumination by the detection of motion or another non-contact means. The current sources of illumination embodied in the prior art require either indefinite activation of a light source or activation through a manual switching mechanism. Therefore, a need exists for a fluid level verification apparatus with an integral source of illumination coupled with an activating sensor that detects the presence of a foreign body or movement. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved fluid level verification apparatus. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a fluid level verification apparatus with a source of illumination that is integrated with the apparatus as a single unit. 
     More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fluid level verification apparatus with a source of illumination that is activated by a sensing mechanism commonly known in the art to detect movement caused, for example by the presence of a person. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a fluid level verification apparatus with an integral, sensor activated source of illumination. 
     Yet another object of the present invention its to provide a fluid level verification apparatus with a source of illumination that is activated by a sensing mechanism commonly known in the art to detect the presence of a person, with a source of illumination that is integrated with the apparatus as a single unit, in communication with a fluid tank or container. 
     In one embodiment, the fluid level verification apparatus for a fluid container having a light source capable of being activated by a person, comprises a transparent tube defining a fluid passage, chamber, or void having oppositely disposed ends; a pair of longitudinally spaced apart end members, the respective end members, each having a cylindrical projection extending therefrom in facing and axially aligned relationship with the transparent tube; an integral, internal source of illumination within one of the end members, that illuminates the transparent tube; a sensor to detect the presence or movement of a foreign body; the sensor mechanically integrated with one of the end members; a power source integrated internally within one of the end members; said sensor coupled with the source of illumination in order to activate the source of illumination upon detection of the presence of the foreign body. The source of illumination may comprise a light emitting diode. The sensor may be a motion sensor. A support or protective member having at least one wall may surround the transparent tube. The support member may be in communication with the respective end members. An electronics assembly may be electronically coupled to the power source, the sensor, and the source of illumination. The electronics assembly may include a timer for turning off the source of illumination after a pre-set time. Alternatively, the source of illumination may turn off upon a failure to sense motion adjacent the apparatus. 
     In another embodiment, an improved fluid level verification apparatus having a tubular transparent tube, and a pair of longitudinally spaced apart end members, comprises an integral, internal source of illumination within one of said end members, that illuminates the transparent tube; a sensor to detect the presence of a foreign body; the sensor mechanically integrated with one of the end members; a power source integrated internally within one of said end members; an electronics assembly electronically in communication with the power source, the sensor, and the source of illumination; the sensor coupled with the source of illumination in order to activate the source of illumination upon detection of the presence of the foreign body. The source of illumination may comprise a light emitting diode. The sensor may be a motion sensor. A support member may have at least one wall surrounding the transparent tube. The support member may be in communication with said respective end members. The power source may comprise a battery. 
     In another embodiment, a fluid reservoir having an integrated light source capable of being activated by a foreign body, the apparatus and reservoir comprise a reservoir tank, the reservoir tank having a wall separating opposed first and second ends; at least one opening in a first end of the reservoir tank; the at least one opening able to receive an apparatus having; a housing; an integral, internal source of illumination disposed within the housing that illuminates the reservoir tank; a sensor to detect the presence of the foreign body; the sensor mechanically integrated with the housing; a power source integrated internally within the housing; the sensor in communication with the source of illumination in order to activate the source of illumination upon detection of the presence of the foreign body. The source of illumination may comprise a light emitting diode. The sensor may be a motion sensor. An electronics subassembly electronically may be in communication with the power source, the sensor, and the source of illumination. The power source may comprise a battery. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a prospective view of a first embodiment of the present invention, as it would appear in the environment. 
         FIG. 2  is a side longitudinal sectional view of the first embodiment of the present invention taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevated view of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a longitudinal sectional fragmentary view of the first embodiment of the present invention showing in detail an end member with a sensor, LED light, and electronics assembly. 
         FIG. 5  is a longitudinal fragmentary view of the first embodiment of the present invention, showing the end member opposite that shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of a reservoir tank in communication with a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a partial top view of the reservoir tank in communication with the second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a longitudinal sectional fragmentary view of the second embodiment of the present invention showing in detail an end member with a sensor, LED light, and electronics assembly. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention that may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims. Like parts, described herein, are designated by like reference numbers. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , there is illustrated a first embodiment of an apparatus  11  utilizing a transparent tube  10 . The transparent tube  10  is encased and supported by a support member  12 . Also depicted is a pair of end members, or end blocks  14  and  19 . Both the first end block  14  and the second end block  19  have six sides. First end block  14  contains an illumination assembly  75  which is potted into the first end block  14 . The illumination assembly  75  within first end block  14  will be later described. The illumination assembly  75  includes a motion sensor subassembly  22  which activates a LED lamp  46 . The first threaded cap  16  and second threaded cap  18  are separate and distinct from one another and each end cap threads into end blocks  14  and  19  respectively. 
     The transparent tube  10  in protected from the environment by the support member  12 . As best shown in  FIG. 2 , the ends of the support member  12  extend longitudinally beyond ends of the transparent tube  10 . Opening  35  in the support member  12  allows transparent tube  10  to be visible while still being protected by support member  12 . 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , first threaded cap  16  has an inwardly facing threaded shank  74 . The threaded portion  73  of first threaded cap  16  threads into first end block  14 . Once first threaded cap  16  is tightened into first end block  14 , first end block  14  is scaled by the compression of seal  70  into annular groove  72  formed in first end block  14 . First threaded cap  16  houses a spring battery terminal  32  which contacts one of the batteries  28  as it is axially compressed and held in position within first end block  14 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 5 , second threaded cap  18  has an inwardly facing threaded shank  74 . The threaded portion  73  of second threaded cap  18  threads into second end block  19 , second threaded cap  18  to second end block  19 . Once second threaded cap  18  is tightened onto second end block  19 , second end block  19  is sealed by the compression of seal  70  into annular groove  72  formed in support member  12   
     Referring to  FIGS. 2, 4, and 5 , first end block  14  and second end block  19  are adapted with cylindrical projections extending centrally to receive the distal ends of transparent tube  10 , which is then placed longitudinally inside of the support member  12 . The transparent tube  10  is connected in fluid flowing relation to an object of interest, such as a tank (not shown). The ends of transparent tube  10  fittingly contact seal  36  and compression seal  76  to prevent fluid leakage. The respective fasteners  20  comprise a smooth surface  40 , a threaded, exterior facing surface  42 , and a channel  44 . Interposed on the smooth surface  40  at a right angle is a fluid passageway  48 . The fasteners  20  are arranged to be seated into passageway  58  of first end block  14  and second end block  19 . 
     Seals  56  and  65  are fittingly placed around the smooth surface  40  of fastener  20  and seated into annular grooves  54  and  67  respectively to prevent fluid leakage through the passageway  58 . So connected, the compression exerted on the respective fastener  20  compresses the seal  56  against the face of the first end block  14 , thus facilitating a hermetic closure. Similarly, the seal  65  resting on the fastener  20  at the junction of the threaded, exterior facing surface  42  and the smooth surface  40  is compressed at the annular groove  67  creating a hermetic closure of the seal  65 , the annular groove  67 , and passageway  58  of the end blocks  14  and  19 . Seal  65  also seals against the tank surface (not shown) to prevent leakage around the threaded, exterior facing surface  42  when the fluid level verification apparatus is mounted to the tank. 
     Fluid dispensed from and returning to the object of interest, such as a tank (not shown but including an entrance threaded opening matching the threaded, exterior facing surfaces  42  of the fasteners  20 ), flows through the fastener  20  by means of the channel  44  and fluid passageway  48 . Two unblocked passageways are shown in  FIG. 2  between the passageway  58  of the end blocks  14  and  19 , the fluid passageways  48  of the smooth surfaces  40 , the first components  62  and  61 , and a fluid passage, chamber, or void  64  passing through the transparent tube  10 . Fluid enters the first component  61  of second end block  19 , and fills the fluid passage, chamber, or void  64  of the inspection sight tube member  10  to the liquid level of the tank supporting the transparent tube  10 . 
     Referring specifically to  FIG. 5 , second end block  19  comprises a threaded fastener  82  having a threaded  78  and chamfered  68  portion that threadingly engages with second end block  19 , and sits between smooth surface  40  of fastener  20  and transparent tube  10 . Transparent tube  10  compresses compression seal  76  against threaded fastener  82  to prevent fluid leakage out of the apparatus. First component  61  in threaded fastener  82  mates fittingly with fluid passageway  48  of fastener  20 . First component  61  has a reduced diameter  60  and chamfered portion  68  accommodates compression of compression seal  76  for hermetic sealing. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , a first end block  14  accommodates an illumination assembly  75  with a motion sensor subassembly  22 , an electronics subassembly  34 , a LED lamp  46 , batteries  28  housed within a battery cup  27 , and a spring battery terminal  32 . Motion sensor  26  detects the presence of a foreign body, signaling the electronics subassembly  34 , which is powered by batteries  28 , to activate light emitting diode (LED) lamp  46 . 
     Referring specifically to  FIG. 4 , the electronics subassembly  34  may contain a timing circuit incorporated therein to control the switching of LED lamp  46 . The motion sensor subassembly  22  consists of a lens  24  which is adhesively mounted superficially above the motion sensor  26 , which is adhesively mounted into opening  50  in first end block  14 . Motion sensor  26  is electrically wired to electronics subassembly  34 , and electronics sub assembly  34  is wired to its power source, such as batteries  28 , by positive node  30  and ground wire  38 . Positive node  30  is seated into an opening in battery cup  27  to contact batteries  28 . Ground wire  38  contacts the inside surface of block  14  which is housed centrally within first threaded cap  16  and faces inward toward the batteries  28 . LED lamp  46  is attached to electronics subassembly  34  by LED wires  80 . The LED wires  80  extend centrally inward into transparent tube  10  by traveling adjacent to smooth surface  40  of fastener  20  and further through first component  62  of first end block  14 . Electronics subassembly  34  is securely potted in channel  13  of first end block  14  with potting compound  15 . 
     The transparent tube  10  may be manufactured from glass. However, various substrates such as nylon, polycarbonate, or other synthetic materials may be used. While shown to be cylindrical in shape, it is conceivable that, other fluid passage, chamber, or void cross-sectional configurations could be utilized. 
     The support member  12  and the end blocks  14  and  19  may be manufactured from steel, or other metals with similar qualities. 
     Referring specifically to  FIGS. 6 to 8 , a second embodiment of the apparatus  11  is applied to a reservoir tank  84 . The reservoir tank comprises a wall  90  separating an opposed first end  86  and second end  88 . A least one opening (not illustrated in the figures) in the first end  86  of the reservoir tank  90  receives the second embodiment of the apparatus  11 . The second embodiment of the apparatus  11  is preferably in mechanical communication with the reservoir tank  84  through the projection  69 . Alternatively, the second embodiment of the apparatus  11  may be in moldable communication with the reservoir tank  84 . Alternatively, the second embodiment of the apparatus  11  may be in adhesive communication with the reservoir tank  84 . 
     Referring specifically to  FIG. 7 , the second embodiment of the apparatus  11  is in communication with the top side  89  of the first end  86 , where the top side  89  is not facing the interior cavity of the reservoir tank  84 . The second embodiment, of the apparatus  11  communicates with the top side  89  in a manner which provides for a portion of the second embodiment of the apparatus  11  to extend from the top side  89  through the first end thickness and resides within the interior cavity of the reservoir rank  84  and a portion of the second embodiment of the apparatus  11  resides exterior from the reservoir tank  84 . 
     Referring specifically to  FIG. 8 , the second embodiment of the apparatus  11  comprises one end member, a second embodiment of the first end block  14 . The second embodiment of the first end block  14  contains an illumination assembly  75  which is potted into the second embodiment of the first end block  14 . The illumination assembly  75  within the second embodiment of the first end block  14  will be later described. The illumination assembly  75  includes a motion sensor subassembly  22  which activates a light source such as LED lamp  46 . 
     A first threaded cap  16  threads into the second embodiment of the end blocks  14 . The first threaded cap  16  has an inwardly facing threaded shank  74 . The threaded portion  73  of first threaded cap  16  threads into first end block  14 , first threaded cap  16  to first end block  14 . Once first threaded cap  16  is tightened into first end block  14 , first end block  14  is sealed by the compression of seal  70  into annular groove  72  formed in first end block  14 . First threaded cap  16  houses a spring battery terminal  32  which contacts one of the batteries  28  as it is axially compressed and secured onto first end block  14 . 
     First end block  14  is adapted with a projection  69  extending centrally for insertion into the opening  87  of the first end  86  of the reservoir tank  84 . The projection  69  includes a groove  101  that retains an O-ring  100 . O-ring  100  has an interference fit with the opening or clearance hole  87  formed in first end  86  of reservoir tank  84 . 
     A first end block  14  accommodates an illumination assembly  75  with a motion sensor subassembly  22 , an electronics subassembly  34  a LED lamp  46 , batteries  28  housed within a battery cup  27 , and a spring battery terminal  32 . Motion sensor  26  detects the presence of a foreign body, signaling the electronics subassembly  34 , which is powered by batteries  28 , to activate light emitting diode (LED) lamp  46 . 
     The electronics subassembly  34  may contain a timing circuit to control the switching of LED lamp  46 . The motion sensor subassembly  22  consists of a lens  24  which is adhesively mounted superficially above the motion sensor itself  26 , which is adhesively mounted into opening  50  in first end block  14 . Motion sensor  26  is electrically wired to electronics subassembly  34 , and electronics subassembly  34  is wired to its power source, batteries  28 , by positive node  30  and ground wire  38 . Positive node  30  is seated into an opening in battery cup  27  to contact batteries  28 . Ground wire  33  contacts the inside surface of block  14  which is housed centrally within first threaded cap  16  and faces inward toward the batteries  28 . LED lamp  46  is attached to electronics subassembly  34  by LED wires  80 . The LED wires  80  extend centrally through component  99  of second embodiment of the first end block  14  and beyond the second embodiment of the first end block  14 . Electronics subassembly  34  is securely potted in channel  13  of first end block  14  with potting compound  15 . 
     The first end block  14  may be manufactured from steel, or other metals with similar malleable qualities. 
     The above-described embodiments of this invention are merely descriptive of its principles and are not to be limited. The scope of this invention instead shall be determined from the scope of the following claims, including their equivalents.