James Payne

US Patent:

43018246, Nov 24, 1981

Filed:

Dec 1, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/211643

Inventors:

James R. Payne - Speedway IN

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

G05D 11035

US Classification:

137110

Abstract:

In a fluid circulation system of the type having a pump for supplying pressurized fluid to an apparatus requiring a supply of pressurized fluid, a sump containing a volume of fluid from which the pump draws its supply, and an overage fluid return line, a sump level maintenance system including a remote fluid reservoir disposed above the sump, a housing in communication with the fluid in the sump and defining a pair of ports in communication with respective ones of the reservoir and the overage return passage, a float structure operative to open both ports when the sump level is below a low level and to close the port to the reservoir to prevent replenishment when the sump level is between the low level and a high level and to close both ports when the sump level is above the high level to prevent overage fluid from returning to the sump, and a fluid conduit from the overage passage to the reservoir operative to divert overage to the reservoir when the second port is closed thereby depleting the fluid volume in the reservoir.