US4124013A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuel level responsive means
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-06-29
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Granted: 1978-11-07
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Expires: 1997-06-29
Abstract
Abstract A device for cutting off a diesel motor or the like when the fuel level in the fuel tank of the diesel motor drops below a predetermined level or height. An electric circuit is positioned between a source of electric power and an electrically operative device which, when activated, cuts off the motor. A switch is electrically coupled to the electric circuit and is adapted to close when the level of fuel in the fuel tank drops below a predetermined level to thereby activate the electrically operative device and cut off the motor.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael A. Rivalto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:33
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K15/00; B60K15/03; B60K15/06; B60K15/061; F; F02; F02D; F02D17/00; F02D17/04; F02B; F02B3/00; F02B3/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
Means responsive to the level of fuel in a fuel tank of a motor of the type including an electrically operative cut-off means for selectively cutting off said motor and including a source of electric power, said responsive means comprising: (a) an electric circuit for electrically joining said cut-off means and said source of electric power; and (b) switch means electrically coupled to said electric circuit for being operatively coupled to said fuel tank of said motor and for closing when the level of fuel in said fuel tank drops below a predetermined height to thereby activate said cut-off means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
Means responsive to the level of fuel in a fuel tank of a motor of the type including an electrically operative cut-off means for selectively cutting off said motor and including a source of electric power, said responsive means comprising: (a) an electric circuit for electrically joining said cut-off means and said source of electric power; and (b) switch means electrically coupled to said electric circuit for being operatively coupled to said fuel tank of said motor and for closing when the level of fuel in said fuel tank drops below a predetermined height to thereby activate said cut-off means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The responsive means of claim 1 in which is included a light means electrically coupled to said electric circuit for being activated when said switch means closes to give a visual warning that the level of fuel in said fuel tank has dropped below a predetermined height.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
The responsive means of claim 1 in which said switch means includes a fuel level indicator for indicating the level of fuel in said fuel tank, said fuel level indicator being adapted to close said switch means when the level of fuel in said fuel tank drops below a predetermined height.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The responsive means of claim 3 in which said fuel level indicator includes a float member for being operatively communicated with the interior of said fuel tank and for resetting substantially upon the surface of the fuel within said fuel tank.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The responsive means of claim 1 in which is included time delay means for delaying the activation of said cut-off means until said switch means has been closed for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
93 words
An improved diesel motor of the type having a fuel tank, an electrically operable cut-off means for selectively cutting off said diesel motor and a source of electric power, wherein said improvement comprises: (a) an electric circuit for being operatively coupled to said source of electric power and to said cut-off means; and (b) switch means electrically coupled to said electric circuit for being operatively coupled to said fuel tank and for closing when the level of fuel in said fuel tank drops below a predetermined level to thereby activate said cut-off means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
93 words
An improved diesel motor of the type having a fuel tank, an electrically operable cut-off means for selectively cutting off said diesel motor and a source of electric power, wherein said improvement comprises: (a) an electric circuit for being operatively coupled to said source of electric power and to said cut-off means; and (b) switch means electrically coupled to said electric circuit for being operatively coupled to said fuel tank and for closing when the level of fuel in said fuel tank drops below a predetermined level to thereby activate said cut-off means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
The improvement of claim 6 in which said improvement includes a light means electrically coupled to said electric circuit for being activated when said switch means closes to give a visual warning that the level of fuel in said fuel tank has dropped below a predetermined level.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
The improvement of claim 6 in which said switch means includes a fuel level indicator for indicating the level of fuel in said fuel tank, said fuel level indicator being adapted to close said switch means when the level of fuel in said fuel tank drops below a predetermined level.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The improvement of claim 8 in which said fuel level indicator includes a float member for being operatively communicated with the indicator of said fuel tank and for resting substantially upon the surface of the fuel within said fuel tank.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The improvement of claim 6 in which is included time delay means for delaying the activation of said cut-off means until said switch means has been closed for a predetermined period of time.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-11-06 | 1982-05-08 | 1982-11-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-11-06 | 1986-05-08 | 1986-11-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-11-06 | 1990-05-08 | 1990-11-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |