COMBINATION SIGHT GLASS AND SUMP OIL LEVEL SENSOR FOR A REFRIGERATION COMPRESSOR

摘要

A combination sight glass and optical sensor is provided in the housing of a hermetic refrigeration compressor to provide effective visual inspection in addi tion to automatic sensing of the level of oil in an oil sump. A sight glass fitting is p rovided in the housing and has a first portion that extends outwardly from the housing a nd that is accessible from outside the compressor. An optical oil level sensing dev ice is removably attached to the first portion of the sight glass with electrical leads extending outside the compressor for connection to a compressor power source. A prism or similar device is attached to the sight glass fitting intermediate the sump oil and the optical sensor. Should the oil level in the oil sump fall below a predet ermined level, the optical sensor interrupts power to the compressor or generates an ala rm or status signal. A technician may remove the optical sensor from the sight glass f itting and visually inspect the oil level by looking through the sight glass fitting an d prism and into the interior of the compressor housing.