Including Seal Patents (Class 33/731)
  • Patent number: 11708939
    Abstract: An axle assembly that includes a housing assembly and a dipstick assembly. The housing assembly may at least partially define a cavity that receives a lubricant. At least a portion of the dipstick assembly may be removably mountable to the housing assembly and may include a fitting and a dipstick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Bodary, Mailys Eichsteadt, Ginger St. Cyr, Florin Patrascu
  • Patent number: 11536172
    Abstract: An oil measurement apparatus for an oil-lubricated internal combustion engine has an oil dipstick and a guide for guiding the oil dipstick in an oil pan of the internal combustion engine. A fill level of motor oil in the oil pan can be recorded by the oil measurement apparatus. The oil dipstick has an operating element in a first end region for inserting and removing the oil dipstick in the guide and, in a second end region, has a measurement region for recording the fill level. The fill level can be recorded by the oil dipstick in a first state of the oil measurement apparatus and, in a second state of the oil measurement apparatus, the measurement region is completely drawn into the guide. The oil dipstick has a dipstick stop element between the operating element and the measurement region, and has a dipstick cover, which is movable between the measurement region and the dipstick stop element and is designed to at least temporarily cover the measurement region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Maximilian Rosenberger
  • Patent number: 11009382
    Abstract: In one example a liquid level sensor is described. The sensor includes a carrier and a liquid level sensing interface disposed on the carrier. The liquid level sensing interface includes a number of liquid level sensing devices disposed on an elongated strip. The number of liquid level sensing devices detect a liquid level in a liquid container. The liquid level sensing interface also includes a number of thermal isolation components formed on the elongated strip to thermally isolate adjacent liquid level sensing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Chien-Hua Chen, Michael W. Cumbie, Robert N. K. Browning
  • Patent number: 8434595
    Abstract: A valve body cover of an automatic transmission, may include a cover plate having a hole, an oil level plug having a cap detachably mounted onto the cover plate from the outside of the cover plate and an insertion extended from the cap and selectively inserted into the hole of the cover plate, and rotational pressing members formed in the insertion of the oil level plug and the cover plate respectively to press the cap against the cover plate while the insertion of the oil level plug inserted in the hole is rotated relatively with respect to the cover plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Seunghun Choi
  • Patent number: 8186074
    Abstract: A fluid level gauge for use with an engine is provided. The fluid level gauge may have a blade, a handle having a protrusion, and a swivel rigidly connected to the blade and having a recess to receive the protrusion. The fluid level gauge may also have a retention member configured to inhibit the protrusion from exiting the recess. The swivel can rotate independent of the handle when the fluid level gauge is fully assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Hart, Robert John Chesney
  • Publication number: 20110061254
    Abstract: Instant Reading Oil Dipstick Improvements is a near universal design with most assembly done by the manufacturer. The customers can easily adapt such to match their existing dipstick geometry by pushing the adjustable parts to the correct location, where they will remain. The air valve is within a single, machined brass cone that adapts to the metal tube and seals in the engine vacuum. A new tubular plastic air seal around the wire handle increases reliability. And a cone shaped rubber squeegee will automatically remove oil from the outside of the tubing as the dipstick is withdrawn from the crankcase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventor: John Anderson Armistead
  • Patent number: 7779555
    Abstract: A flexible locking dipstick module useful with a motor vehicle including an oil reservoir. A dipstick is disposed within a housing which has one end thereof affixed to the oil reservoir and extends therefrom to a location within the engine compartment of a motor vehicle. The end of the module disposed within the engine compartment includes a quick disconnect locking coupling providing for ready installation and removal of the dipstick. The coupling further provides protection against blow out of the dipstick in the event of inordinate build up of pressure within the oil reservoir. Further, one portion of the outboard coupling may be employed as a liquid-tight closure for a dipstick entry opening in the oil reservoir during removal and/or storage of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Lokar, Inc.
    Inventor: John Impellizeri
  • Publication number: 20090151185
    Abstract: A flexible locking dipstick module useful with a motor vehicle transmission including a transmission case. A transmission dipstick is disposed within a housing which has one end thereof affixed to the transmission case and extends therefrom to a location within the engine compartment of a motor vehicle. Each end of the module includes a quick disconnect locking coupling providing for ready installation of the dipstick housing and its associated dipstick. Each coupling further provides protection against blow out of the dipstick in the event of inordinate build up of pressure within the transmission. Further, one portion of the outboard coupling may be employed as a liquid-tight closure for a dipstick entry opening in the transmission case during removal and/or storage of the transmission case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: John Impellizeri
  • Patent number: 7546693
    Abstract: A flexible locking dipstick module useful with a motor vehicle transmission including a transmission case. A transmission dipstick is disposed within a housing which has one end thereof affixed to the transmission case and extends therefrom to a location within the engine compartment of a motor vehicle. Each end of the module includes a quick disconnect locking coupling providing for ready installation of the dipstick housing and its associated dipstick. Each coupling further provides protection against blow out of the dipstick in the event of inordinate build up of pressure within the transmission. Further, one portion of the outboard coupling may be employed as a liquid-tight closure for a dipstick entry opening in the transmission case during removal and/or storage of the transmission case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Lokar, Inc.
    Inventor: John Impellizeri
  • Publication number: 20090049706
    Abstract: A fluid level gauge for use with an engine is provided. The fluid level gauge may have a blade, a handle having a protrusion, and a swivel rigidly connected to the blade and having a recess to receive the protrusion. The fluid level gauge may also have a retention member configured to inhibit the protrusion from exiting the recess. The swivel can rotate independent of the handle when the fluid level gauge is fully assembled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Larry Hart, Robert John Chesney
  • Patent number: 7430814
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, an oil-filler-port/oil-level-gauge attachment hole is formed on a side of the internal combustion engine. An oil-level-gauge for measuring the amount of oil in the inside of the internal combustion engine extends within the oil-filler-port. The oil-level-gauge is formed integral with a cap for the oil-filler-port. A guide cylinder portion for guiding the gauge deep inside the oil-level-gauge attachment hole is provided to extend therein. A side outflow hole where the filled oil detours around the guide cylinder portion and directly flows down to the inside is formed on the way of the guide cylinder portion. A guide wall for preventing the gauge from entering the side outflow hole is formed on a lower portion of the side outflow hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaki Cho
  • Patent number: 7159330
    Abstract: An oil level gauge guide structure including an oil level gauge for measuring engine oil of a vehicle. An oil level gauge is held in an oil level gauge guide. A clip is provided having a first end section held to a resinous part fixed to an engine main body, and a second end section held to the oil level gauge guide. The oil level gauge is provided with two linear stoppers contactable with the second end section of the clip, and an O-ring fixed on an end section of the oil level gauge guide. The end section of the oil level gauge guide is inserted into the communication hole in a first direction, while the first end section of the clip is pressed to the resinous part in a second direction. The first and second directions are parallel with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Takaya, Masatoshi Hada, Katsuo Saitoh
  • Patent number: 6926121
    Abstract: A cap for sealing an outer end of an oil filler tube of an engine where the oil filler tube has an inner end with ball valve having a float ball and mating valve seat for impeding any reverse flow of oil during engine operation. The cap includes a sealable plug mating the tube outer end; a rod extending from the plug toward the inner end of the tube; and a valve opening device mounted to the rod for dislodging the float ball from the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Roger Gates, Ian MacFarlane
  • Patent number: 5829153
    Abstract: A cap assembly, having a fixedly attached dipstick, for a fill and/or guide tube is provided. The cap provides a fluid tight seal on the end of the tube, thereby preventing fluid leakage. The cap can be used on both linear and non-linear tubes because it requires about 45.degree. or less rotation to lock. The cap assembly comprises a housing for attachment on the open end of the tube. The housing is equipped with protruding lugs that interlock with grooves on the cap to form a fluid tight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Moeller Products Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Robert S. Hitchock
  • Patent number: 5613303
    Abstract: An oil level gauge having a simple structure so as to be readily assembled, an accidental disconnection of a handle from a rod being prevented, favorable contact between a rubber packing and an inner wall of a gauge insertion pipe being assured, and a reliable water-proof arrangement being obtained to prevent water from entering into an oil tank. The oil level gauge includes a rod including an oil level indicator at its lower end, a handle provided at an upper portion of the rod, and a rubber packing fitted on the rod in the vicinity of the handle; and these components are tightly assembled each other via a pressing force provided by the rubber packing which is being compressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: OM Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeru Kayano, Kyokuichi Sato
  • Patent number: 5544419
    Abstract: An improved dipstick assembly is provided for measuring liquid level in a chamber containing liquid and gas in which the liquid may be agitated, and in which the gas may have a pressure different from atmospheric. An example is the oil reservoir or crankcase of a reciprocating apparatus while the apparatus is running. A tube is provided for attachment to an upper portion of the chamber, the tube extending downward into the liquid. A liquid level indicating device is inserted in the tube. A valve is provided at or near the bottom of the tube to close it off when the liquid level measuring device is removed, but which is opened when the device is inserted, so that a reading can be made. The valve prevents loss of liquid through the tube when the measuring device is removed, and prevents gas in the chamber from communicating with the atmosphere. When the measuring device is inserted, a seal at or near its upper end prevents such loss or communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventor: Sean G. Smeltzer
  • Patent number: 5485681
    Abstract: A swivel type dipstick with a screw-on cap is provided. The swivel allows the blade of the dipstick to rotate freely, thus allowing the dipstick to be used with nonlinear fill tubes. The screw-on cap provides a tight seal between the dipstick and the fill tube, thereby preventing fluid leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: Moeller Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert S. Hitchcock
  • Patent number: 5205172
    Abstract: The interface gauge includes at least one transducer for sensing the interface between two media within a reservoir. An elongated flat member has at least one transverse bore. A transducer is loosely contained within the bore. Conductors connect the transducer to a signal comparator and logic network for monitoring an impedance change in the transducer in response to a change in the interface within the reservoir. The gauge can replace conventional mechanical dipsticks in factory made dipstick tubes for crankcases and automatic transmissions in order to monitor oil and transmission fluid levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Inventor: Roni K. Doak
  • Patent number: 5086943
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sealing cap assembly (10) of the type that is particularly adapted for use in closing and venting the access aperture (60) of a transmission housing (58). The embodiment of the sealing cap assembly (10) disclosed, has a body portion (15) and a cap portion (20). The body portion (15) has a radially outermost extent with at least one thread path (51 and/or 52) extending along, and being recessed inwardly with respect to, the outermost extent of the body portion (15). At least one hollow cubicle (46, 47, 48 or 49) is provided interiorly of the body portion (15). Port means (73 and/or 74) penetrate the body portion (15) in order to provide communication between at least one the thread paths (51 and/or 52) and the hollow cubicle (46, 47, 48 or 49).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Fredrick R. Poskie
  • Patent number: 5014445
    Abstract: A fluid fill regulator and seal assembly (10) for automatic transmissions (11) positionable within a bore (65) provided in the case (12) of a transmission. The assembly comprises a semi-rigid regulator member (20) having a cylindrical body (22) closed at one end (24) and opened at the other end (28); a flexible sealing member (21) formed about the opened end of the regulator member and having an inner contour (54) adapted to receive one end of a transmission fluid filler tube (71); and teeth means (42-45), provided by the regulator means and extending radially from the sealing member to engage the bore in the transmission case and prohibit axial movement of the assembly within the bore. The present invention also provides in combination, a transmission fluid fill regulator and seal assembly (10) with a transmission fluid filler tube (71) and fluid level ullage rod (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: David R. Martell
  • Patent number: 4965942
    Abstract: A dipstick handle of the invention includes a unitarily molded handle, such as a finger ring, having an integrally molded hollow shaft. The shaft has one or two pairs of opposed slots through its outside surface. A dipstick blade is received by one end of a hollow insert which has two pairs of tabs at its other end for snapping into the slots through the surface of the shaft. Pressure on the tabs engaged in the slots releases the tabs and enables the insert and dipstick blade to be withdrawn. The handle seals the tube into which the dipstick is fitted to avoid escape of noxious gases. The blade may be oriented in any of four directions with respect to a plane of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Assignee: Moeller Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew K. Hoszowski