Dial-type flow-restriction gauges
AssigneeEngineered Products Company
InventorsH. Dianne Hammerand, Charles H. Berry, III
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Dial-type flow-restriction gauges are used for indicating flow-restriction conditions of fluid filters, such as automobile air and fuel filters. Prior versions of these type filters have been more complicated and costly to manufacture than desirable. Accordingly, the present inventors have devised, among other things, an exemplary dial-type flow-restriction gauge that is inexpensive to manufacture and performs reliability and consistently over a wide temperature range. One exemplary gauge includes an external dial that rotates relative a restriction scale in response to a differential pressure. Placement of the dial on the exterior of the gauge eliminates the need to use clear material and allows embedding of the restriction scale into an exterior surface of the gauge.
Claims15
A flow-restriction gauge for use with internal combustion engines, the gauge comprising:
- a housing assembly including an upper cap portion and a lower inlet portion, the upper cap portion having an opening and the lower inlet portion having means for fluidly communicating with a vacuum generated by an internal combustion engine;
- and
- a dial pointer positioned on an exterior surface of the upper cap portion and operatively coupled to rotate in response to the vacuum.
A flow-restriction gauge for use with internal combustion engines, the gauge comprising:
- a housing assembly including an upper cap portion and a lower inlet portion, the lower inlet portion having means for fluidly communicating with a vacuum generated by an internal combustion engine;
- the upper cap portion having an opening, an exterior surface surrounding the opening, and an interior surface opposite the exterior surface, with the interior surface defining a recess around the opening;
- a cam within the recess, the cam having at least one step;
- a helical spring having one end mounted to a portion of the cam and another end mounted to a portion of the pocket region;
- and
- a dial pointer positioned on the exterior surface of the upper cap portion and coupled to the cam to rotate in response to the vacuum.
A flow-restriction gauge for use with internal combustion engines, the gauge comprising:
- a housing assembly including an upper cap portion and a lower inlet portion, the upper cap portion having an opening, an exterior surface surrounding the opening, and an interior surface opposite the exterior surface, with the interior surface having means for defining a recess around the opening;
- a cam within the pocket region, the cam having at least one step;
- a helical spring having one end mounted to a portion of the cam and another end mounted to a portion of the pocket region;
- and
- a dial coupled to the cam to rotate in response to a vacuum in fluid communication with the lower inlet portion of the housing assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.