US4294108A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for measuring the fuel consumption of a vehicle
Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
•
Filing: 1979-12-21
•
Granted: 1981-10-13
•
Expires: 1999-12-21
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for measuring the fuel consumption of a vehicle has a flowmeter in each of a forward fuel flow line and a return fuel flow line, with a device for detecting a difference in the flows and calculating the fuel consumption, wherein a gauging device is associated with at least one of the lines for adjusting the apparatus to obtain identical signals from each of the flowmeters under conditions where forward flow is substantially the same as return flow, thereby eliminating the necessity of selecting matched pairs of flowmeters for the flow lines.
Inventors
- 👤 Wolfgang Sauerschell
- 👤 Karl-Heinz Werkmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 08:33
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F9/00; G01F9/001; G01F1/00; G01F1/05; G01F1/10; G01F1/103
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
A device for measuring the fuel consumption of a vehicle, with means for measuring the fuel flow in a forward flow line, and means for measuring the fuel return flow in a return flow line, having means for detecting the difference between these flows and for the calculation of the fuel consumption, characterized in that, for the measurement of the fuel forward flow and of the fuel return flow, respectively, a turbine flowmeter is connected in each of the forward flow line and the return flow line and photoelectric means is positioned to scan the rotation of each for the generation of an electrical value corresponding to the forward flow or return flow, and that means for gauging are provided in one of said means for measuring the fuel flow in said forward flow line and in said means for measuring the fuel return flow in said return flow line to adjust the measurement in said one means to correspond with the measurement in said other means, for obtaining identical electrical values at operative fuel consumption and at the same forward fuel flow and return fuel flow.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
187 words
A device for measuring the fuel consumption of a vehicle, with means for measuring the fuel flow in a forward flow line, and means for measuring the fuel return flow in a return flow line, having means for detecting the difference between these flows and for the calculation of the fuel consumption, characterized in that, for the measurement of the fuel forward flow and of the fuel return flow, respectively, a turbine flowmeter is connected in each of the forward flow line and the return flow line and photoelectric means is positioned to scan the rotation of each for the generation of an electrical value corresponding to the forward flow or return flow, and that means for gauging are provided in one of said means for measuring the fuel flow in said forward flow line and in said means for measuring the fuel return flow in said return flow line to adjust the measurement in said one means to correspond with the measurement in said other means, for obtaining identical electrical values at operative fuel consumption and at the same forward fuel flow and return fuel flow.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein the means for gauging comprises an element in at least one of the flow lines, in front of the turbine flowmeter, that affects the flow speed of the fuel.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
200 words
A device for measuring the fuel consumption of a vehicle, with means for measuring the fuel flow in a forward flow line, and the fuel return flow in a return flow line, having means for detecting the difference between these flows and for the calculation of the fuel consumption, characterized in that, for the measurement of the fuel forward flow and of the fuel return flow, respectively, a turbine flowmeter is connected in each of the forward flow line and the return flow line and photoelectric means is positioned to scan the rotation of each for the generation of an electrical value corresponding to the forward flow or return flow, and that means for gauging are provided for obtaining identical electrical values at operative fuel consumption and at the same forward fuel flow and return fuel flow characterized further in that frequency-voltage converters are connected to the photoelectric means and furthermore, that the frequency-voltage converters are connected to a circuit for voltage difference formation which is connected to a circuit for quotient formation having an electrical value input proportional to the speed of the vehicle, and that the means for gauging comprises at least one adjustable element in this circuit.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
200 words
A device for measuring the fuel consumption of a vehicle, with means for measuring the fuel flow in a forward flow line, and the fuel return flow in a return flow line, having means for detecting the difference between these flows and for the calculation of the fuel consumption, characterized in that, for the measurement of the fuel forward flow and of the fuel return flow, respectively, a turbine flowmeter is connected in each of the forward flow line and the return flow line and photoelectric means is positioned to scan the rotation of each for the generation of an electrical value corresponding to the forward flow or return flow, and that means for gauging are provided for obtaining identical electrical values at operative fuel consumption and at the same forward fuel flow and return fuel flow characterized further in that frequency-voltage converters are connected to the photoelectric means and furthermore, that the frequency-voltage converters are connected to a circuit for voltage difference formation which is connected to a circuit for quotient formation having an electrical value input proportional to the speed of the vehicle, and that the means for gauging comprises at least one adjustable element in this circuit.
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) | 1984-10-12 | 1985-04-13 | 1985-10-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-10-12 | 1989-04-13 | 1989-10-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-10-12 | 1993-04-13 | 1993-10-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |