OIL-LEVEL SENSOR FOR A GEARBOX
An apparatus for lubricating a non-pressurized gearbox includes a low-to-high lubricant level sensor configured to sense a static level of a lubricant within the gearbox and to display the static level of the lubricant.
1 . An apparatus for lubricating a non-pressurized gearbox, comprising:
a low-to-high lubricant level sensor configured to sense a static level of a lubricant within the gearbox and to display the static level of the lubricant.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the low-to-high lubricant level sensor is configured to send information about the static level of the lubricant to a display.
3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the low-to-high lubricant level sensor is configured to send the information electronically or mechanically.
4 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the low-to-high lubricant level sensor is configured to send the information automatically.
5 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the low-to-high lubricant level sensor is configured to send the information at a request of an operator.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the lubricant is oil.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the gearbox is a main rotor gearbox, an accessory gearbox, a reduction gearbox, a tail rotor gearbox or an intermediate gearbox.
8 . A method of monitoring a gearbox, comprising:
providing a low-to-high lubricant level sensor in the gearbox in fluid communication with the lubricant;
sensing a static level of the lubricant in the gearbox using the low-to-high lubricant level sensor; and
sending information from the low-to-high lubricant level sensor about the static level of the lubricant to a display.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the sending information is performed electronically or mechanically.
10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the sending information is performed automatically.
11 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the lubricant is oil.
12 . The method of claim 8 , wherein gearbox is a main rotor gearbox, a reduction gearbox, or an accessory gearbox.
13 . A rotorcraft, comprising:
a fuselage;
one or more engines coupled to the fuselage;
a gearbox coupled to the one or more engines; and
a low-to-high lubricant level sensor configured to sense a static level of a lubricant with the gearbox and to display the static level of the lubricant.
14 . The rotorcraft of claim 13 , wherein the low-to-high lubricant level sensor is configured to send information about the level of the lubricant to a display.
15 . The rotorcraft of claim 14 , wherein the low-to-high lubricant level sensor is configured to send the information electronically or mechanically.
16 . The rotorcraft of claim 14 , wherein the low-to-high lubricant level sensor is configured to send the information automatically.
17 . The rotorcraft of claim 14 , wherein the low-to-high lubricant level sensor is configured to send the information at a request of an operator.
18 . The rotorcraft of claim 13 , wherein the lubricant is oil.
19 . The rotorcraft of claim 13 , wherein the gearbox is a main rotor gearbox, an accessory gearbox, a reduction gearbox, a tail rotor gearbox or an intermediate gearbox.