Improvements in or relating to pressure fed lubricating systems

摘要

485,944. Lubricating. PAUL, D. W. F. D., REES, C. L., and LUSH, G. R. W. Nov. 30, 1936, No. 32849. [Class 12 (iii)] [Also in Group XXXVII] In a pressure lubricated engine the operator is warned of an impending oil shortage, oroffailure of the lubricant pressure, by a switch responsive to the lubricant pressure, and a further warning is also given when the quantity of oil in the oil reservoir reaches the safe minimum level. As shown, a pressure responsive switch 1 is included in the ignition circuit 12 of an automobile and is connected by a pipe 14 to the engine oil pump 15. The latter has two inlets 16, 17, at different levels in the oil sump 19. When the sump 19 is fully charged the inlet 16 is open and the inlet 17 closed. After a period of use the oil level falls below the level of 16. The oil pressure consequently falls and the switch 1 breaks the electric circuit thus stopping the engine. This gives the driver a warning of impending oil shortage. He then operates a lever 21 to shut the inlet 16 and open the inlet 17 and restarts the engine. When the oil level falls below the inlet 17 the switch 1 again operates to stop the engine, and the oil sump must now be replenished with oil. As shown, a lever 25 connected to the lever 21 overhangs the filler cap 23 to ensure that upon refilling the oil sump 19 the inlet 16 is opened and the inlet 17 shut. A suitable switch is shown in Fig. 2 in which the oil pressure acts on a diaphragm 38 connected to a contact member 31 under the action of a spring 34. When the oil pressure overcomes the spring, the member 31 contacts members 30, 32, connected to the electric leads 4, 8. Instead of stopping the engine the switch 1 may operate to give any kind of visual, audible or other signal to the driver. For example, the pressure responsive device may partially or wholly close the throttle, or shut off the petrol as the oil pressure drops. Instead of the arrangement shown, the pump inlet may comprise a telescopic adjustable tube, or it may be carried by a float, or the pump itself may rise and fall with the oil level or be located in a trough having one or more sluice gates opening to the oil sump. Further, the pump may be arranged so that more than two warnings are given to the driver.