US3922915A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid level indicator
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-07-29
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Granted: 1975-12-02
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Expires: 1994-07-29
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for indicating an accurate level of liquid disposed within a tank that is generally installed in a motor vehicle, the apparatus comprising a bell housing defining a pressure chamber for trapping a body of air in the liquid container, said housing having an opened lower end adapted to receive a regulating plug positioned adjacent the bottom of the tank, the plug including at least one orifice therein to allow free flow of air and liquid therethrough. A pressure-actuating means is interconnected to the pressure chamber by means of a conduit system having a charging means operably connected intermediate the bell housing and the pressure actuating means, whereby the chamber can be replenished with the proper amount of air pressure versus the liquid pressure, thereby providing an accurate indication of the contents of the tank.
Inventors
- 👤 Ottie H Andrews
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:05
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02D; F02D33/00; F02D33/003; B; B60; B60K; B60K15/00; B60K15/03; B60K15/077; F02M; F02M37/00; F02M37/0076; F02M37/0082; G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/14; G01F23/16; B60K2015/0321; B60K2015/03217; F02M37/0047
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
An apparatus for indicating an accurate level of liquid disposed within a tank, said tank being of the type for storage of liquid fuel and adapted to be mounted to a motor vehicle, wherein said apparatus comprises: a bell housing being in operable communicating relationship with the interior of said tank; a pressure chamber defined by said bell housing; a pressure-control means positioned adjacent the lower end of said bell housing, whereby air and liquid can pass between said chamber and said tank, said pressure-control means including: a first orifice; a second orifice, said first orifice having a reduced diameter relative to that of said second orifice, and wherein said first orifice is positioned above said second orifice; a pressure-gauge means operably interconnected to said pressure chamber, whereby a constant reading of the liquid contents of said tank can be obtained; and a conduit system disposed between said pressure-gauge means and said pressure chamber, whereby said pressure-gauge means is remotely disposed with respect to said tank.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
166 words
An apparatus for indicating an accurate level of liquid disposed within a tank, said tank being of the type for storage of liquid fuel and adapted to be mounted to a motor vehicle, wherein said apparatus comprises: a bell housing being in operable communicating relationship with the interior of said tank; a pressure chamber defined by said bell housing; a pressure-control means positioned adjacent the lower end of said bell housing, whereby air and liquid can pass between said chamber and said tank, said pressure-control means including: a first orifice; a second orifice, said first orifice having a reduced diameter relative to that of said second orifice, and wherein said first orifice is positioned above said second orifice; a pressure-gauge means operably interconnected to said pressure chamber, whereby a constant reading of the liquid contents of said tank can be obtained; and a conduit system disposed between said pressure-gauge means and said pressure chamber, whereby said pressure-gauge means is remotely disposed with respect to said tank.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus for indicating an accurate level of liquid in a tank, as recited in claim 1, including a pressure-charging means which directly communicates with said pressure chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
84 words
An apparatus for indicating an accurate level of liquid in a tank, as recited in claim 2, wherein said bell housing is positioned adjacent the bottom of said tank; wherein the bell housing is provided with a lower opened end; and wherein said pressure-control means comprises a pressure-regulating plug adapted to be received in said lower opened end of said housing, said plug being provided with said first and second orifices disposed therein to provide regulating outflow and inflow of liquid and air therethrough.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
85 words
An apparatus for indicating an accurate level of liquid in a tank, as recited in claim 3, wherein said bell housing is disposed within said tank and wherein said pressure-regulating plug comprises a plug head being formed with a central, truncated, cone-shaped body which includes said first orifice being disposed in the upper truncated portion thereof, and said second orifice being positioned along the lower enlarged portion of said cone-shaped body, whereby outflow and inflow of air and liquid can be regulated within said chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus for indicating an accurate level of liquid in a tank, as recited in claim 3, wherein said bell housing is disposed within said tank and wherein said pressure-regulating plug comprises a plug head having a substantially parabolic configuraTion, said first and second orifices being disposed therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
108 words
An apparatus for indicating an accurate level of liquid in a tank, as recited in claim 4 said conduit system comprising: a mounting head secured to said tank; a multi-connection pipe unit secured to said mounting head; a flexible conduit connected at one end to said multi-connection pipe unit and the opposite end thereof being connected to said gauge means; an enlarged elongated pipe secured at one end to said mounting head and depending therefrom within said tank, the opposite end of said pipe being secured to said bell housing and directly communicating with said chamber, whereby said pressure within said chamber is transmitted to said gauge means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus for indicating an accurate level of liquid in a tank, as recited in claim 6 wherein said remotely-disposed charger means includes a flexible conduit attached at one end to said charger means, and the opposite end thereof terminating within said pressure chamber adjacent said plug head and within said conduit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
104 words
An apparatus for indicating an accurate level of liquid in a tank, as recited in claim 3, wherein said bell housing is secured to the exterior of said tank, the lower open end of said bell housing communicating with the liquid disposed within said tank; and wherein said pressure-regulating plug comprises a plug head adapted to be received within said open lower end of said bell housing having upper and lower grooves disposed along the length thereof, whereby the air and liquid communicates between said tank and said pressure chamber, the upper groove having a reduced width relative to that of the lower groove.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
95 words
An apparatus for indicating an accurate level of liquid in a tank, as recited in claim 4, wherein said bell housing is positioned within the tank thereof and includes: a mounting head for removably securing said housing adjacent the lower portion of said tank, said mounting head having a central reduced-diameter bore and an enlarged-diameter bore therein for communication therethrough; a pressure-conduit tube fixedly disposed in said reduced-diameter bore and extending upwardly within said pressure chamber; and a fitting received in said enlarged bore whereby said conduit system is removably secured to said mounting head.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-01 | 1979-06-02 | 1979-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-01 | 1983-06-02 | 1983-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-01 | 1987-06-02 | 1987-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |