Patent ID: 7191648

Claim:
In combination with an electric power apparatus having an oil-filled vessel in which a float is connected to a float shaft that rotates as the float rises and falls with the level of oil in the vessel, a liquid-level indicator comprising: a base; a display shaft journaled in the base and extending along and pivotal about an axis; means coupling the display shaft to the float shaft for generally joint and synchronous pivoting; an indicia display fixed relative to the base adjacent the display shaft; a pointer fixed on the display shaft, movable through less than 180° between positions corresponding to maximum and minimum oil levels in the vessel, and juxtaposed with the indicia display, whereby the level of the oil in the vessel is indicated by a position of the pointer on the display; a disk fixed to the display shaft and having an outer periphery with a region of a shape having a radius varying angularly from one end of the region to an opposite end of the region, the region extending over less than 180°; and means including a noncontact proximity sensor fixed relative to the base and radially spacedly juxtaposed with the region of the disk for producing an output corresponding to the radial distance between the region and the sensor.