Air filter restriction sensor assembly
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsSean V. Ciesielka, James S. Zielinski, David R. Nowak
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An air filter restriction sensor assembly for use on an engine, such as a small gas engine provides a simple on/off system with remote indicating to notify the operator of the air restriction. More specifically, the air restriction in the air intake line of the engine creates a vacuum which pulls on a plunger mechanism until the mechanism contacts a switch, such as a membrane switch, and activates the switch. The switch can be electrically connected to an indicator device, such as a light-emitting diode, which is readily visible to the operator to notify the operator of the air restriction.
Claims20
An air filter restriction sensor assembly comprising:
- a housing defining an interior wall, the interior wall further defining a first side, a second side, and an opening, the housing including a nozzle,
- a plunger mounted through the opening, the plunger defining a body on which is mounted an elastomer member,
- a switch mounted in the housing on the first side of the interior wall wherein the switch is activated when a predetermined force is exerted on the switch from the elastomer member and positioned between the elastomer member and the interior wall, and
- a diaphragm mounted to the plunger and on the second side of the interior wall,
- whereby upon the creation of a vacuum in the housing, the diaphragm causes the plunger to move the elastomer member into contact with the switch.
An air sensor assembly for use with a small gas engine comprising:
- a hermetically sealed housing defining an interior wall that forms a chamber in the housing, the interior wall defining an opening,
- a plunger member mounted through the opening, the plunger member defining a contact surface and a plunger face, the plunger face positioned in the chamber, and
- a switch mounted in the housing and between the contact surface of the plunger and the interior wall wherein the switch is activated when a predetermined force is exerted in the switch from the plunger,
- whereby upon the creation of a vacuum in the first chamber, the plunger will move in the chamber and cause the contact surface to contact the switch.
An air filter restriction sensor assembly for coupling to a remote indicator comprising:
- a housing defining an interior and an interior wall, the interior wall dividing the interior into a first chamber and a second chamber, the housing including a nozzle,
- a plunger mounted in the housing and extending between the first chamber and the second chamber, the plunger including a contact surface,
- a membrane switch mounted in the first chamber wherein the membrane switch is activated when a predetermined force is exerted on the membrane switch from the plunger, the switch being connectable to a remote indicator, and
- a plunger moving member mounted to the plunger and in the second chamber,
- whereby upon the creation of a vacuum in the second chamber, the plunger moving member causes the contact surface to move into contact with the membrane switch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.