Sight Glass Patents (Class 73/323)
  • Patent number: 5657665
    Abstract: A fill level indicator (7) for a tank (6) of an internal combustion engine (5) has a housing (8) with an inner chamber (9) connected to the tank (6) to allow the fill level indicator (7) to be visible. The housing (8) includes an upwardly directed housing strip (21) which projects laterally from an outer face (20) of the housing (8). The housing strip (21), when in a fitted condition, engages a groove (19) of an edge (16) to an upwardly directed opening (24) which is closed by a cover (14) which may be fixed to the housing (8). The cover (14) includes at least one lug (28) which is tensionable against the tank edge (16) and the cover (14) extends over an upper end (13) of the housing (8). A labyrinth seal is provided between the housing (8) and the cover (14), and the seal forms connecting ventilation channels (25, 26, 27), arranged one above the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: SABO-Maschinenfabrik GmbH
    Inventor: Heinrich Ostermeier
  • Patent number: 5645011
    Abstract: A fluid flow indicator is presented particularly for use within an existing gasoline pumping apparatus. The fluid flow indicator includes an outer cage member, a first hollow transparent cylindrical member contained within the outer cage member, and a second hollow transparent cylindrical member concentrically retained within the first hollow transparent cylindrical member. The fluid flow indicator may also include a filter member and fluid movement detection means contained within the second hollow transparent cylindrical member. The fluid flow indicator is especially designed to be retrofitted within any existing fluid flow line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: PDQ Food Stores, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Winkler, Rocky Van Asten
  • Patent number: 5628231
    Abstract: An improved sight glass for use in determining the level of water in steam boilers and similar installations is disclosed. The end flanges are provided with molded inserts, preferably of PTFE or similar fluorocarbon material which serves to provide a sealing washer when the device is connected to communicating pipe flanges at an outer surface thereof, and provides a seal at the annular end surfaces of the sight glass. A concentrically disposed guard tube is also maintained in sealed relation relative to the end flanges, and is preferably of polycarbonate or similar material. The guard tube is supported by oppositely disposed rectangular cross-sectioned "O" rings which provide for the sealing of the cylindrically shaped space between the outer surface of the sight glass and the inner surface of the guard tube. Peripherally positioned tie rods prevent excess tightening of the end flanges, thus preventing excess axially oriented pressure on the sight glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Ethylene Corp.
    Inventor: Michael R. Sheridan
  • Patent number: 5611241
    Abstract: A sight glass assembly (1) is provided which is securable to a pressure vessel (V). The sight glass assembly includes a body (3) having top, bottom, front, back, and side walls defining a chamber (25) which is in fluid communication with the interior of the vessel. A glass (7) is secured in the sight glass body by a cover (11) to permit viewing of the vessel contents and sensors in the sight glass chamber. A baffle (29) in the sight glass body divides the chamber into a front chamber (33) and a back chamber (31). The baffle causes steam foam or bubbles from the vessel to condense in the back chamber so that only liquid enters the front chamber. The sensors are placed in the front chamber where they cannot be contacted by the foam or bubbles. By preventing foam or bubbles from entering the front chamber, and thus from contacting the sensing devices and the glass, the possibility of false readings by the devices and etching of the glass during operational use of the assembly is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Sam W. Henry, Myron Jensen
  • Patent number: 5493907
    Abstract: A self-cleaning assembly for a vertically oriented sight tube interposed in a flow line is suspended from a bearing member for free rotation within the sight tube. The assembly includes a support member having a pair of cleaning members suspended remote from the tube axis. A flow directing assembly upstream from the sight tube (either above or below) sets up a spiral flow pattern within the sight tube. This spiral flow pattern causes the cleaning assembly to spin, and centrifugal force pushes the cleaning members against the interior wall of the sight tube to effect a scouring action thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Excell Design & Construction Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Alfonso M. Misuraca
  • Patent number: 5485866
    Abstract: A valve to monitor the level of fluid in an above ground storage tank while the tank is being filled, cutoff the flow of fluid when the tank is in a full condition, and as long as the filling pressure is on the valve the valve will remain cutoff even if the fluid level in the tank has lowered. A relief valve to drain the fluid remaining in the filling hose after the filling pressure is off. A sight level indicator to visually show that the tank is in a filled condition. A monitoring node to be used with or without the mechanical cutoff valve in a totally controlled application where the filling person is not responsible for shutting off the filling tank truck, with two switches, one to alert that the tank is near a filled condition and the second to alert that the tank is in a filled condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Inventor: James H. Bowen
  • Patent number: 5484336
    Abstract: A lubricant tank structure for a cotton harvester wherein the tank is located at the rear of a harvester behind the engine and near the fuel and water tanks. The tank shares support with an adjacent tank and is shaped to optimize use of available space. A bladder is installed inside the tank with an opening exiting below the fluid level of the lubricant. The opening is connected to a relatively small diameter sight tube located externally of the tank. The bladder is filled to the bottom level of the gauge with a indicating liquid having a lower viscosity than the grease which is to be gauged and a specific gravity which is approximately the same as the high viscosity grease. When the lubricant tank is filled, the tank contents displaces the indicating liquid which rises in the sight tube until the height of the liquid is approximately the same as the height of the grease so pressures in the system are equalized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Kenneth C. McConnell
  • Patent number: 5427136
    Abstract: A liquid level detecting device having an overflow reservoir, a flow restriction means and a level detecting means. The reservoir defines a cavity for collecting an electrically-conductive liquid overflowing from a container. This reservoir, which has a low level position associated therewith, includes inlet means through which the overflowing liquid enters, outlet means through which the collected liquid exits, and vent means through which built-up gases escape.Flow restriction means controls the rate at which the collected liquid exits through the reservoir's outlet means. Flow restriction means is calibrated such that the rate at which liquid exits the reservoir does not exceed the rate at which liquid overflows therein.In one embodiment, level detecting means includes a capacitive sensor switch which is fixedly secured to the reservoir to detect whether the liquid level is below the reservoir's low level position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: The Langston Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph J. Weishew
  • Patent number: 5427137
    Abstract: A valve to monitor the level of fluid in an above ground storage tank while the tank is being filled, cutoff the flow of fluid when the tank is in a full condition, and as long as the filling pressure is on the valve the valve will remain cutoff even if the fluid level in the tank has lowered. A relief valve to drain the fluid remaining in the filling hose after the filling pressure is off. A sight level indicator to visually show that the tank is in a filled condition. A monitoring node to be used with or without the mechanical cutoff valve in a totally controlled application where the filling person is not responsible for shutting off the filling tank truck, with two switches, one to alert that the tank is near a filled condition and the second to alert that the tank is in a filled condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Inventor: James H. Bowen
  • Patent number: 5406844
    Abstract: A reservoir sight glass assembly forming part of a material transfer system for loading lightweight granular plastic material into injection molding machines and the like is connected to the associated machine and to a light weight pressure relief chamber attached to the reservoir sight glass assembly, both connections being by quick disconnect devices. The reservoir sight glass assembly includes a sensor adjustably positioned against the sight glass which responds to the level of material in the reservoir sight glass assembly and a magnet assembly which traps ferrous contaminants and prevents their entering the machine. The flow of material to the pressure relief chamber is controlled by the sensor which turns a regulated source of compressed air on or off depending upon the sensed level of material in the reservoir sight glass assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Inventors: Peter May, III, Daniel T. Harnish
  • Patent number: 5383360
    Abstract: A column-type level indicator, to be applied on the wall of tanks or containers for liquids in order to measure their level and/or temperature, of the type in which the fixing screws (4, 5), suitably provided with axial and transversal holes, also act as ducts to let said liquids into the indicator column (1). With each of said screws (4, 5) there is associated a bushings (8) of yielding material, partially housed into a seat (7) surrounding the screw (4, 5), formed in the rear wall (2) of the indicator column (1), as well as a nut (9) having an outside diameter equal to that of said bushing (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Elesa S.p.A.
    Inventor: Alberto Bertani
  • Patent number: 5383338
    Abstract: An in-line sight indicator structure for a fluid system wherein a chamber defining flow-through sight housing includes a sight glass in one wall portion thereof and a support member extending from an opposite wall portion in spaced relation to the sight glass to support an indicator element mounted thereon within a fluid stream passed through the chamber, the housing being hermetically sealed from ambient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Benjamin Bowsky, George J. Sciuto
  • Patent number: 5351036
    Abstract: A point liquid level monitoring system includes a sensor removeably mounted to a liquid level device. The sensor is designed to direct a microwave signal from a transmitter through a window in the liquid level device. In one embodiment, the microwave signal is reflected off a surface in the device opposite the window and collected by a receiver. In another embodiment, the microwave signal is collected by a receiver mounted onto a second window opposite the first window through which the microwave signal is transmitted. When liquid is present in the liquid level device at or above the level of the transmitter and receiver, the microwave signal is attenuated as it passes through the liquid. Sensor electronics compare the received signal to a predetermined threshold level and provide an output indicating the presence or absence of liquid at the transmitter/receiver level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Clark-Reliance Corporation
    Inventors: David P. Brown, Michael J. Kett, Stephen P. Hebeisen
  • Patent number: 5343826
    Abstract: A sight flow apparatus includes a body designed to be connected in-line to fluid pipes within a manufacturing plant or other facility. One or more window assemblies are removably mounted on the sides or ends of the body to allow visual inspection of fluid flow through the body cavity. A fluid indicator device i.e., a flapper assembly or a rotor assembly, is mounted within the body cavity and supported by an axle extending between the windows, between the body itself, or between a pair of alignment washers located within the body. The rotor assembly includes a plurality of planar blades which are interconnected to form generally radially extending vanes. An enlarged indicator cap is coupled to each end of the rotor assembly to improve visual examination of fluid flow effects, to lock the interconnected blades together and to prevent the blades from contacting the windows, alignment washer or body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Clark-Reliance Corporation
    Inventors: David E. Brown, David E. Purcel
  • Patent number: 5335622
    Abstract: A universal indicator cap for a dishwasher rinse agent dispenser including a reservoir with an opening positioned in door of a dishwasher for indicating a low level of rinse agent in the reservoir, the door being pivotal between an opened horizontal position and a vertical closed position. The indicator cap comprises a body including a head portion having a cavity formed therein and a neck portion, a gasket adaptor positioned about the neck portion such that the indicator cap is adaptable to different models of the rinse agent dispenser, means for vertically mounting the body into the opening in the reservoir with the neck portion extending downwardly into a bottommost area of the reservoir, a first fluid passageway extending through the neck portion from an opened terminal end thereof to the cavity of the head portion, and a visual pump for pumping rinse agent through the first fluid passageway into the cavity to visually indicate the presence of the rinse agent in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Inventor: James L. Say
  • Patent number: 5297429
    Abstract: A sanitary sight indicator for viewing the contents of a production process is provided. The sanitary sight indicator includes a body, an optical unit, and a sanitary connection between the body and the optical unit. The body includes a process-interfacing portion which is adapted to interface with the production process and an optical-interfacing portion which interfaces with the optical unit. The optical unit includes a viewing portion for viewing the contents of the production process and a body-interfacing portion which interfaces with the optical-interfacing portion of the body. The sanitary connection includes a sanitary gasket having a substantially flat annular portion, and first and second annular projections which are approximately semi-circular in cross-sectional shape and which extend outwardly from opposite sides of the annular portion. The sanitary connection further includes a sanitary gasket-groove in each of the optical unit-interfacing portion and the body-interfacing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Clark-Reliance Corporation
    Inventors: David E. Brown, David E. Purcel
  • Patent number: 5249464
    Abstract: A sight flow product includes a body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The fluid inlet and fluid outlet are designed to be connected in-line to fluid pipes within a manufacturing plant or other facility. A cartridge can be located within and conform substantially to a cavity in the body. One or more window assemblies are removably mounted on sides or ends of the body to retain and locate the cartridge within the body cavity. The cartridge can be removed from the body and replaced when either of the window assemblies has been removed. Each of the window assemblies includes a transparent window to allow visual inspection of fluid flow through the sight flow product. A fluid sensing device e.g., a flapper, rotor or condensation drip tube, can be mounted within the cartridge by connection to the cartridge itself or by connection to opposed alignment washers in the window assemblies to facilitate visually inspecting the fluid flow in the sight flow product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Clark-Reliance Corporation
    Inventors: David E. Brown, David E. Purcel
  • Patent number: 5233870
    Abstract: A locking stud for securing a plate to a support member includes a single post connected to and disposed outwardly from the plate. A single locking blade is connected to and disposed outwardly from the post on one side of and spaced from the axial center line of the post. The stud is completely open in the space opposite the locking blade. The locking blade includes an outwardly disposed arcuate surface which terminates in a crest edge and functions as a wedge lock when disposed against the edge of a hole in the support member. An inwardly disposed arcuate surface extends from the crest edge. The blade is deflectable at the inwardly disposed arcuate surface so that the inwardly disposed arcuate surface functions as a cam during insertion of the blade into the support member hole. When fully inserted the outwardly disposed arcuate surface is wedged against the hole to effectively prevent removal of the stud from the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: LaFrance Corporation
    Inventor: Peter A. Peroni
  • Patent number: 5210658
    Abstract: A sight glass assembly generally consisting of a first housing section having an opening therethrough mountable on a vessel wall, a second vessel section having an opening therethrough registrable with the first housing section opening when the first housing section is disposed in assembled relation with the second housing section, a pair of lenses disposed in the housing sections across the openings thereof, provided with beveled surfaces along the mating surfaces thereof, a packing member disposed between annular side walls of the lenses and the housing sections, and means for urging the housing sections together to compress the packing material and cause it to expand laterally to place the lenses in radial compression to maintain their structural integrity upon being fractured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: PresSure Products Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Foster
  • Patent number: 5184511
    Abstract: A measuring tank capable of providing accurate measurement of liquid contained therein even when not in an upright position having a rear wall connected to left and right side walls and a front wall connected between said side walls and having a generally concave shape with a sight glass affixed thereto adjacent its closest approach to the rear wall. The volume of the tank to the left and right of a plane passing through the centerline of the sight glass being equal and the volume of the tank to the front and rear of a plane passing through the centerline of the sight glass parallel to the rear wall being equal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Peter S. Barrows, James A. Willis
  • Patent number: 5176029
    Abstract: A ullage tube viewing device for visual checking of liquid cargo levels without releasing hazardous vapors is disclosed and a method of quickly installing such device in a ullage tube in the absence of heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Maritrans Operating Partners L.P.
    Inventor: E. Carl Dittrich
  • Patent number: 5125269
    Abstract: A sight glass includes a solid acrylic ring-shaped body with a glass tubular liner mounted to the interior cylindrical surface of the body with a fuel and fuel-additive resistant sealant. The liner has a diameter slightly less than the interior diameter of the body so as to form an annular air space therebetween. The sealant is also an adhesive which connects the liner to the body. O-rings at the forward and rearward edges of the liner maintian the annular air space between the liner and body. The adhesive/sealant is a flexible resilient material which will permit the liner to move slightly longitudinally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: Regal Plastics Supply of Omaha
    Inventor: George Horst, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5105664
    Abstract: The present invention of an opaque dirt shield for covering transparent portions of a sight container includes an obverse cover, a reverse cover, a fastener and viewing flaps. The covers are generally conformal with the shape of the container. The covers may be made integral into a planar mode to be shaped about the container by a user. The fastener secures one portion of a cover or associated structure to a related portion to position and secure the components of the shield with respect to each other and secure the shield onto the container. The viewing flaps allow the visual inspection of the interior of the container. Similarly, illumination flaps allow the illumination of the interior of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Inventor: Allen S. Wagner
  • Patent number: 5079570
    Abstract: An ink level sensor (18, 18', 18") is provided for detecting the level of ink in an ink cartridge (10) containing a capillary reservoir (14), such as foam, therein. The ink level sensor is a binary fluidic indicator, which provides both a human and machine readable indication of the level of the ink. A plurality of embodiments are described, including a two-port sensor (20), a one-port sensor (22), and a pair of fluidically-connected needles of different length (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: John A. Mohr, Michael B. Lloyd, Scott W. Hock, Mindy A. Hamlin
  • Patent number: 5078077
    Abstract: The indicator cap for a dishwasher rinse agent reservoir comprising an elongated body having a head portion forming a cavity and a depending neck portion. The neck portion is operatively designed to sealingly engage the opening in the rinse agent reservoir. The neck portion comprises two fluid passageways extending from the lowermost tip of the neck portion, through the neck portion and into the cavity of the head portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Inventor: James L. Say
  • Patent number: 5052224
    Abstract: A vertically mountable sight gauge is comprised of one or more serially connectable sections for visually determining the level or the volume, or both, of liquid stored in a container. Each section has an upper and lower housing. Each housing has a passage therethrough with a first end and second end, is surrounded by a flange, and is attached to the ends of a straight length of substantially transparent, flexible pipe. The pipe is surrounded by a cylindrical, substantial transparent, rigid shield and a cylindrical, substantially transparent, rigid sleeve. The bottom end of the sleeve is surrounded by a shoulder. The outer diameter of the top end of the sleeve is less than inner diameter of the shield, such that the sleeve telescopically engages the shield. Biasing means bears against the bottom end of the shield and the sleeve's shoulder, surrounds and overlaps the sleeve, and urges the shield against the upper housing and the sleeve against the lower housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Betz Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn C. Ford, George H. Alexander, Jr., Robert J. Nyzio
  • Patent number: 5007287
    Abstract: A filler cap of a jar for a washer is provided with a stopper portion plugging filler hole of the jar, a pawl portion engaged with the filler hole and a tubular gauge for measuring residual quantity of detergent liquid in the jar which extends toward the bottom of the jar. The tubular guage communicates with an air hole in the cap opening on a finger gripped face of a knob provided on the stopper portion. In using this filler cap, it is possible to measure the residual quantity of the detergent liquid with ease and accuracy since gripping the knob to remove the stopper portion of the cap will also cover the air hole so as to retain a quantity of liquid in the guage indicative of the amount of fluid left in the jar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Assignee: Jidosha Denki Kogyo K.K.
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Nagai
  • Patent number: 5000843
    Abstract: There is provided between a concentrate tank and a membrane filter a circulating line which consists of a feed line and a return line. It is also possible to use an ultrafilter as the membrane filter. There is provided a leveling tube connected by respective pipes to the concentrate tank at top and bottom portions thereof, respectively. A buoy floats within the leveling tube and a position of this buoy is detected by means of transparency of the leveling tube itself or photosensors in order to detect a degree of concentration of the culture fluid progressing within the concentrate tank. There may be provided multi-stage circulating lines each connecting the associated concentrate tank to the associated membrane filter so that the culture fluid can be transferred during the process of concentration from the stage of the largest volume treatment to the state of the least volume treatment in order to concentrate the culture fluid more efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: Snow Brand Milk Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eitaro Kumazawa, Takao Hatai, Seiji Ishida, Atushi Baba, Masahiko Takahashi
  • Patent number: 4987777
    Abstract: A liquid level sight gauge useful in the fuel tank of a recreational vehicle such as a snowmobile is molded in two parts and can be installed without special tools in simple cylindrical holes provided in the wall of the tank or container. The gauge has a tubular body communicating with projecting cylindrical spigots which are passed through sleeves of a resilient gasket which sleeves secure them in the holes of the container wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Assignee: Bombardier Inc.
    Inventors: Michel Bourret, Bernard Guy
  • Patent number: 4981040
    Abstract: A sight flow indication apparatus with multi-sealing protective arrangements includes: an upper and a lower flange coupling member, each member having a stuffing box formed therein; a first and a second gland member each having a gland pipe portion formed in conjunction with the stuffing boxes; a transparent sight flow tube, the periphery of which has a layer of a thin film of a transparent protective material disposed thereon, tightly secured in the stuffing boxes between the upper and lower flange coupling members through the first and second gland members and a plurality of gasket members; and a plurality of gland packing members respectively disposed in the stuffing boxes in connection with the first and second gland members and the transparent sight flow tube; whereby, when the first and second gland members and the transparent sight flow tube are tightly fastened between the upper and lower flange coupling members, effective means of sealing protection are achieved accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1991
    Inventor: Jack Lin
  • Patent number: 4936245
    Abstract: A device for determining when the material in a grain bin or similar container has reached a predetermined level of fullness. The device includes a transparent tube having feeding tubes in communication between the transparent tube and the interior of the bin. The upper feeding tube is open at a predetermined level which may be adjusted, and the lower tube may also be set to a desired lower level of grain in the bin. Both tubes slant at approximately 45 degrees to the horizontal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Inventor: Glenes O. Christianson
  • Patent number: 4919892
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting oil and other lighter-than-water contaminants in an effluent stream in a sewage system. The apparatus includes a disposable detector which floats in the effluent stream and detects oil and other contaminants having a specific gravity lighter than the water by absorbing the oil and such contaminants in an oleophilic material, permitting the oil and other contaminants to rise and collect in a collection tube. The acidity of pH of the effluent being monitored is determined by routing a portion of the effluent stream across a litmus paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Inventor: Arnold D. Plumb
  • Patent number: 4888990
    Abstract: A sight glass apparatus and method limiting external pressures on the sight glass. The sight glass apparatus has a pair of flanges wherein each of the flanges includes a tubular top portion which abuts the respective pipes. The tubular top portion includes a circular cut-out for providing a victaulic type connection for a clamping means to clamp to the respective pipes and a conical section which tapers into an annular rim section having a plurality of apertures wherein a bottom portion of the annular rim includes a center aperture being co-axially aligned when mounted to the pipes. An O-ring is mounted in a recess with a cylindrical glass tubing for observing the fluid or the like. The sight glass apparatus further includes machine precisioned shoulder studs with threaded ends. The ends protruding through the apertures of each of flange when connecting the sight glass apparatus together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Assignee: Gala Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Bryan, Carl M. Dudding, John W. Martin
  • Patent number: 4877668
    Abstract: A pressure vessel sight glass, especially a tempered glass, is protected against the corrosive attack of normally alkaline, boiler feed water heated up to 300.degree. C., by providing the sight glass with a metallic oxide coating consisting essentially of SnO.sub.2, optionally combined with Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3. The coating is preferably applied as a sprayed solution of soluble salt convertible to the oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Assignee: Schott Glaswerke
    Inventors: Paul Hinz, Helmut Dislich, Gerhard Weber
  • Patent number: 4863692
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting oil and other lighter-than-water contaminants in an effluent stream in a sewage system. The apparatus includes a disposable detector which floats in the effluent stream and detects oil and other contaminants having a specific gravity lighter than the water by absorbing the oil and such contaminants in an oleophilic material, permitting the oil and other contaminants to rise and collect in a collection tube. The acidity or pH of the effluent being monitored is determined by routing a portion of the effluent stream through the lower side of the detector across a litmus paper. The detector is held in the sewage system by a securing system which indicates whether the detector has been tampered with since it was installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Inventor: Arnold D. Plumb
  • Patent number: 4830212
    Abstract: A working machine with a fuel tank in a casing of the main body wherein a projecting see-through portion which extends from the casing outwardly is defined on one side of the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: Kioritz Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Nagashima, Fujio Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 4807473
    Abstract: A liquid sight monitor includes a translucent thermoplastic viewing tubular element having ends that are flared, after the tube is inserted through the central holes of flanges located at either end, to secure the viewing element in place. A float may be included in the viewing element of the same material and cup shaped to entrap air so that the float rises to the level of the fluid surface, even though it is otherwise heavier than the fluid. A flow-through restrictor disk prevents the float from falling out the bottom of the viewing element when there is an absence of fluid therein. The monitor may have a protective see-through shield connected between its top and bottom flanges, if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignee: Jogler, Inc.
    Inventor: William A. Jackson
  • Patent number: 4788929
    Abstract: A fluid indicator for viewing the condition of refrigerant flowing therethrough includes a brass body (12) having a cylindrical extending portion (26). The cylindrical extending portion includes a recess (30) bounded by a deflectable wall (28). An aperture (14) which includes a transparent glass pane (36) surrounded by a steel ring (38) is mounted in the recess and fixed therein by braze material. Tubes (16, 18) are brazeable into coupling portions (20, 22) of the body, and the fluid tight character of the indicator is unaffected despite failure to use a chill block, wet rag or other cooling device during the brazing operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1988
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Walter O. Krause, Peter J. Davis
  • Patent number: 4772277
    Abstract: A chest cavity evacuation apparatus is provided with an air meter which is capable of directly measuring the volume of removed air. Small volumes of evacuated air are collected and measured, and the volume meter is resettable by tilting of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventor: Thomas M. Schiller
  • Patent number: 4770039
    Abstract: A device for indicating the level of liquid contents remaining in a tank which has a viewing portion through which the side of a synthetic resin tank is exposed. The viewing portion is formed around a cap and in the vicinity of an opening of the tank which can be seen through and which is held by a tank holding member, such that the opening of the tank has a dimension which is larger than that of the cap so that the level of the fuel can be viewed through the annular viewing portion formed thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: Kioritz Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Nagashima
  • Patent number: 4704983
    Abstract: A metering sight glass is provided by a body of a transparent glass-like material having its ends polished to provide opposite viewing faces, the body being provided intermediate its length with dual axially aligned transverse passages, one of which provides a metering orifice, and the other of which provides a cavitation chamber positioned adjacent the metering orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Assignee: Victaulic Company of America
    Inventor: Robert Rung
  • Patent number: 4679425
    Abstract: The sensing device includes a first vertical tube having a length substantially equal to the diameter of the tank being tested and which is sealed at the bottom and has connected at the top, a smaller diameter second tube adapted to be positioned vertically for measurement of the height or level of liquid within the tube when the sensing device is charged with liquid under conditions of use. Importantly, the diameter, d, of the smaller diameter second tube of the sensor must be such that when the sensor and tank are filled with the same fluid to the same height any change in the heights of the fluid in the sensor and tank resulting from a change in temperature in the tank fluid will be proportional to one another and preferably will be equal. The device of the present invention preferably includes means for determining the height of fluid in the sensor and the tank at any given time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1987
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventor: Daniel B. Bolland
  • Patent number: 4671110
    Abstract: The invention provides a level sensing device for sensing the level of an electrically conductive liquid in a vessel or container, the level being determined both by visual observation of the level of the liguid in a sight glass which is in communication with the interior of the vessel, and by detecting the level of the liquid in the sight glass by the use of an electrically conductive layer on at least one of the interior and exterior surfaces of the sight glass. The device provides a warning alarm when the level of the liquid drops below or exceeds a predetermined low or high level in the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Inventor: Michiel D. de Kock
  • Patent number: 4620441
    Abstract: A liquid level control responsive to the level of liquid in a vessel having visual verification of fluid level including a tubular body for attachment to an opening in a vessel, the body having aligned openings in opposite sides receiving a pivot shaft, a control box mounted on one side and receiving an extension of the pivot shaft, an arm having one end attached to the pivot shaft and extending out the end of the body into the vessel and having a float on the end which is responsive to the level of liquid within the vessel, a control system within the box actuated by rotation of the pivot arm, and a transparent sight glass sealably closing the end of the tubular body so that the operator can observe the liquid level in the vessel through the sight glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1986
    Assignee: Custom Engineering & Mfg. Co.
    Inventor: David L. Hendrickson
  • Patent number: 4614477
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for monitoring the volume of material loaded into a truck body. Apparatus is provided for sensing the volume of material held in the truck body and indicating, visually or audibly, when a predetermined volumetric loading has been accomplished. Such an indication informs the appropriate personnel that, if the material being loaded is of high density, loading should be stopped. Several different embodiments for the sensing apparatus are disclosed, one of which is a plurality of horizontal holes in the side of the truck body located at a level corresponding to the maximum loading level for a high density material. A cover plate is provided for covering these holes when not being used as a horizontal sight gauge for monitoring the volume level of the material being loaded. Each of the plurality of holes includes a mechanism for preventing material flow through the holes when the cover plate is lowered to expose them to view for use as a horizontal sight gauge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1986
    Inventor: Leroy G. Hagenbuch
  • Patent number: 4590798
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the oil level in an oil tank of a marine craft. The fuel inlet of a fuel tank which is disposed within a craft body is provided outside of the craft body in an exposed state. The oil tank is arranged adjacently to the fuel tank, and an oil level detecting means for this oil tank is arranged adjacently to the fuel inlet such as to allow the oil level to be directly observed from the outside of the craft body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1986
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Yazaki
  • Patent number: 4561305
    Abstract: A liquid level sight gage has an elongated chamber block with a liquid chamber, a lens covering the liquid chamber, and a cover with an elongated viewing slot secured to the block with the lens interposed therebetween. Side beams of the cover, through which bolts securing the cover to the chamber block extend, have ovate configurations, providing greater mass at their centers, thereby providing greater support towards the centers of the chamber block sidewalls where the tendency to bulge is greatest. The bolts extend through longitudinally spaced holes in the side beams in contact with the chamber sidewalls and are transversely supported by the side beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1985
    Assignee: Houdaille Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Tremain, Burt L. Beach, David J. Rimington
  • Patent number: 4524618
    Abstract: A tubular sight gauge with improved high pressure sealing characteristics comprising a conventional pyrex tube held in a gauge housing wherein each end is sealed by use of a stainless steel tube ring that concentrically sleeves around the glass tube with an internal shoulder that rests, on one side, directly against an abrupt change in internal diameter of the end openings in the gauge housing and has an O-ring on the other side of said shoulder and wherein each end of the glass tube is held within the opening by tube spacers (e.g., concentric plastic deformable spacers) such as to limit longitudinal movement (e.g., to approximately 1/16 inch). Such a tubular sight gauge exhibits the ability to maintain a hydraulic seal at pressures approaching 8,000 psi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Inventor: H. Leon Mullis
  • Patent number: 4376490
    Abstract: A flanged cup-shaped transparent pane member is fitted in a window opening formed in the tank wall and held liquid-tight against the latter by means of a pane retainer plate which is inserted along the wall inside into the pane member through slit means provided therein. The retainer plate fully inserted abuts against a shoulder formation on the wall inside and serves to hold the pane member against inadvertent rotation as well as against falling off the tank wall. That portion of the retainer plate which extends across the follow interior of the cup-shaped pane member serves as a light reflector means for enabling the user to observe the liquid level in the tank with ease and accuracy. A minimum level indicator is formed on the closed end wall of the pane member and a maximum level indicator on the retainer plate at its top for convenience in replenishing the liquid tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1983
    Assignee: Nissin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshinobu Mizusaki
  • Patent number: 4343184
    Abstract: A device for displaying the level of a fluid in a tank includes a housing, a membrane being positioned within the housing to separate the housing internally into a first portion and a second portion, which are fluid tight from one another. Fluid communication between the tank and the first portion of the housing is provided by conduit or the like. A pipe, at least a portion of which is transparent or translucent, is in fluid communication with the second part of the housing. A display liquid of given substantially fixed volume is held within the pipe. A spring within the second portion of the housing is in contact with the membrane on that side thereof which is in contact with the display liquid. A nut fixed to the housing has a screw extending through it into the second portion of the housing, the screw being in contact with the spring to adjustably compress it. Marks for determining the instant relative position of the screw with respect to the nut are provided on the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1982
    Assignee: Atleliers de la Motobecane
    Inventor: Christian Jaulmes