Compressor Oil Level Gauge Assembly With Integrated Sensor Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oil level monitoring systems in compressors rely on visual inspection, which is not continuous and may fail to detect sudden drops in oil level, leading to potential damage due to insufficient time for corrective action.
Innovation Solution
Integration of an oil level sensor into the oil level gauge assembly, allowing for continuous monitoring of oil levels through a sensing portion that detects minimum and maximum oil levels, independent of visual observation, and can be retrofitted into existing systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If visual inspection through observation window is used, then device complexity is reduced, but monitoring reliability deteriorates due to inability to detect sudden oil level drops continuously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual visual inspection method with an automated electronic sensor system. The oil level sensor electronically detects oil level positions and converts them into electrical signals, substituting the mechanical/visual observation process with an electronic measurement system that provides continuous monitoring without human intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the oil level sensor continuously monitors oil level positions and sends electrical signals to the control unit. The control unit processes these signals and can trigger alarms or shutdowns when abnormal conditions are detected, creating a closed-loop feedback system that automatically responds to oil level changes.
2Extent of automation
If oil level sensor is integrated into oil level gauge assembly, then monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the oil level sensor with the existing oil level gauge assembly, integrating the sensing function into the familiar gauge structure. This merging allows the automated monitoring capability to be added while utilizing the existing mounting infrastructure and observation window, reducing the need for completely separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The oil level gauge assembly is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides both visual observation through the observation window and electronic sensing through the integrated sensor. This multi-functionality allows a single component to fulfill both manual inspection and automated monitoring needs, reducing the total number of separate devices required.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensing portions are used to detect different oil levels, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sensing function into multiple discrete sensing portions within the sensor, each capable of detecting specific oil level positions. This segmentation allows the system to detect multiple threshold levels (such as minimum and maximum oil levels) using individual sensing elements that can be independently positioned and calibrated.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an oil level gauge assembly (100) for a compressor, comprising: an oil level gauge (10) comprising a housing (1) which delimits a chamber having an observation window (15) for observing an oil level of the compressor by the chamber being fluidically connectable to the compressor, and an oil level sensor (30) comprising a sensing portion (32) configured to sense an oil level, and a connecting portion (31) providing an interface configured for a signal transfer of sensed data, wherein the oil level sensor (30) is connected to the oil level gauge (10) with the sensing portion (31) extending thereby at least partially into an oil receiving volume of the housing (1).