Fluid leak detector mechanism

A hydraulic fluid leak detector mechanism adapted for detecting leaks in a hydraulic system of a vehicle adapted for mowing, comprising:

• a main fluid tank operatively coupled with said hydraulic system,
• an expansion tank operatively coupled with the main tank for receiving fluid therefrom as the fluid becomes heated and expands,
• a sensing chamber operatively coupled with the main tank,
• a signalling mechanism which signals to an operator when the level of fluid in the sensing chamber has dropped significantly and that a fluid leak may be occurring,
• an oil return valve operatively coupled between the main tank and the expansion tank, said oil return valve having an open position that allows fluid to flow back to the main tank from the expansion tank and a closed position that blocks oil from flowing from the expansion tank to the main tank,
• a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the fluid, and
• a control mechanism operatively coupled with the temperature sensor and the oil return valve for briefly shifting the oil return valve to its open position when the temperature sensor detects a significant drop in fluid temperature, said brief opening of the oil return valve generally allowing the fluid levels in the main tank, expansion tank and sensing chamber to reset themselves in response to the change in fluid temperature and volume.

A hydraulic fluid leak detector mechanism adapted for detecting leaks in a hydraulic system of a vehicle having at least one reel mower cutting unit usable for mowing golf courses, comprising:

• a main fluid tank operatively coupled with the hydraulic system for serving as a reservoir,
• an expansion tank operatively coupled with the main tank for receiving fluid therefrom as the fluid becomes heated and expands,
• a sensing chamber operatively coupled with the main tank,
• a signalling mechanism which signals to an operator when the level of fluid in the sensing chamber has dropped significantly and that a fluid leak may be occurring,
• an oil return valve operatively coupled between the main tank and the expansion tank, said oil return valve having an open position that allows fluid to flow back to the main tank from the expansion tank and a closed position that blocks oil from flowing from the expansion tank to the main tank,
• an expansion check valve operatively positioned between the main tank and the expansion tank for allowing fluid to flow from the main tank to the expansion tank as fluid in the main tank becomes heated and expands, and said expansion check valve blocks fluid from flowing from the expansion tank to the main tank,
• an air vent check valve operatively coupled with the top portion of the sensing chamber for allowing air to enter the sensing chamber to replace oil that has exited the sensing chamber during normal operation of the hydraulic system,
• an air vent valve operatively coupled with the top portion of the sensing chamber, said air vent valve having a closed position for blocking fluid from entering or exiting the sensing chamber via the air vent valve, said air vent valve being automatically shifted to an open position as fluid enters the sensing chamber to thereby allow air to be displaced from the sensing chamber as fluid enters the sensing chamber during normal operation of the hydraulic system,
• a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the fluid, and
• a control mechanism operatively coupled with the temperature sensor and the oil return valve for shifting the oil return valve to its open position when the temperature sensor detects a significant drop in fluid temperature, said opening of the oil return valve generally allows the fluid levels in the main tank, expansion tank and sensing chamber to reset themselves in response to the change in fluid temperature.