Oil Sight Glass
Patent Number: US 11686687 Grant Date: 2023-06-27 Filing Date: 2020-12-08
Overview
This granted patent protects a refined oil sight glass designed for clear, low-maintenance visual inspection of water and debris in lubricating reservoirs. Filed on December 8, 2020 and granted on June 27, 2023, the disclosure—by inventors based in Houston, Texas and assigned to ESCO Products, Inc. (Houston, Texas)—focuses on functional improvements that reduce contamination retention and simplify service. The device integrates a unibody sight body and hex head, machined or molded from injected polymer or acrylic, with an interior chamber aligned on a central axis. A concave chamber draining neck, angled in the 15–30° range (20° preferred), promotes more complete drainage of entrained water and sediment than flat-bottom designs, while the hex head provides a robust tool interface to tighten or remove the sight glass without damaging surrounding equipment.
Our firm drafted claims that capture both the inventive geometry of the draining neck and the practical ease-of-service provided by the hex head and unibody construction, giving broad protection to form, function, and material choices.
Key Features
- Angled concave chamber draining neck (15–30°, preferred 20°) for improved drainage
- Unibody sight body and hex head, formed of injected polymer or acrylic
- Central-axis alignment of fluid openings and chamber for consistent flow and inspection
- Hex-head tool interface to prevent damage during removal
This invention enhances routine condition monitoring in fluid systems and reduces downtime and maintenance risk across industrial lubrication applications.
Invention Details
Abstract: An oil sight glass for visual inspection of water and debris in a fluid such as oil within a reservoir to which the oil sight glass is connected. The oil sight glass comprises a sight body, a first end, a second end, a first fluid opening, a second fluid opening, a chamber, and a hex head, and a sidewall. The chamber is in fluid communication between the first fluid opening in the first end, and the second fluid opening in the second end.
Summary of the Invention: An oil sight glass for visual inspection of water and debris in a fluid such as oil within a reservoir to which said oil sight glass is connected. Said oil sight glass comprises a sight body, a first end, a second end, a first fluid opening, a second fluid opening, a chamber, and a hex head, and a sidewall. Said chamber is in fluid communication between said first fluid opening in said first end, and said second fluid opening in said second end.
Said oil sight glass for visual inspection of water and debris in a fluid such as oil within a reservoir to which said oil sight glass is connected. Said oil sight glass comprises said sight body, said first end, said second end, said first fluid opening, said second fluid opening, said chamber, and said hex head, and said sidewall. Said chamber comprises a chamber draining neck. Said chamber draining neck comprises a concave indention in a first end of said chamber being aligned with a central axis. Said chamber draining neck comprises an angle relative to a perpendicular plane from said central axis. Said chamber is in fluid communication between said first fluid opening in said first end, and said second fluid opening in said second end.
Said oil sight glass for visual inspection of water and debris in a fluid such as oil within a reservoir to which said oil sight glass is connected. Said oil sight glass comprises said sight body, said first end, said second end, said first fluid opening, said second fluid opening, said chamber, and said hex head, and said sidewall. Said chamber is in fluid communication between said first fluid opening in said first end, and said second fluid opening in said second end. Said first fluid opening is aligned with said central axis, and further, centered on said hex head. Said hex head is an extension out of said first end. Said hex head is configured to allow users to tighten and/or remove said oil sight glass without damaging corresponding equipment.
Patent Document
Related: Mechanical Engineering | Fluid Systems | Materials | Testing And Measurement | Houston, Texas | Shannon Warren, Patent Attorney