초록 ▼

An indicating device includes a housing that is separated into two sub-chambers by a flexible diaphragm. A indicating member is carried by the diaphragm so that the diaphragm and the indicating member move, within the housing, responsively to changes in the pressure of the air flowing through an air

An indicating device includes a housing that is separated into two sub-chambers by a flexible diaphragm. A indicating member is carried by the diaphragm so that the diaphragm and the indicating member move, within the housing, responsively to changes in the pressure of the air flowing through an air intake system caused by restrictions in or clogging of the air intake filter. The indicating device incorporates an electromechanical sensor for monitoring the position of the diaphragm and producing an output signal responsive thereto. In one embodiment, the sensor is a potentiometer which produces an output signal which varies continuously between a first value when the diaphragm is at its unrestricted position and a second value when the diaphragm is at its restricted position. In a second embodiment, the sensor includes a switching circuit which produces a switched output signal which varies between at least three states corresponding to three different diaphragm positions.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An improved air filter restriction indicating device comprising:a housing having a first end, a second end, and a side wall defining a generally cylindrical overall chamber in the housing;a flexible diaphragm disposed within the housing, with the diaphragm having a centra

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An improved air filter restriction indicating device comprising:a housing having a first end, a second end, and a side wall defining a generally cylindrical overall chamber in the housing;a flexible diaphragm disposed within the housing, with the diaphragm having a central portion and having an edge portion secured to the housing so that the diaphragm divides the overall chamber into a first sub-chamber, adjacent to the first end of the housing, and a second sub-chamber, adjacent to the second end of the housing, and with the central portion of the diaphragm being movable between an unrestricted position wherein the diaphragm is more closely adjacent to the second end of the housing and a restricted position wherein the diaphragm is more closely adjacent to the first end of the housing;a first passage for permitting air communication between the air flowing out of the air filter and the first sub-chamber in the housing;a second passage through the housing for venting the second sub-chamber to the atmosphere;a coil compression spring disposed in the first sub-chamber of the housing, and being compressed between the first end of the housing and the diaphragm, with the compression spring having a compression force sufficient to balance the differential pressures between the first and second sub-chambers so that the diaphragm will be positioned at its unrestricted position when the air filter is unrestricted, and so that the diaphragm will be moved from the unrestricted position progressively toward the extended position in response to increases in the restriction of air filter;a sensor adapted to sense the relative position of the diaphragm and responsively produce an output signal which varies continuously between a first value when the diaphragm is at its unrestricted position and a second value when the diaphragm is at its restricted position; andan output terminal connected to the sensor means and being adapted to deliver the output signal to an external device; and rein the sensor comprises a potentiometer which comprises:a stationary portion fixed in the housing internal chamber relative to the diaphragm, the stationary portion comprising:a strip of resistive material connected between a first and a second potential;a conductive strip aligned adjacent the resistive strip; anda wiper member connected with the diaphragm for movement relative to the stationary portion, the wiper member forming a short circuit between the resistive strip and the conductive strip.