US4768377A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for measuring the liquid level in tanks subjected to varying accelerations
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1986-11-13
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Granted: 1988-09-06
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Expires: 2006-11-13
Abstract
Abstract It will thus be seen that the method for measuring the level of a liquid contained in a reservoir which is subjected to varying accelerations is carried out by means of a level sensor which signals when the level of the liquid drops below a predetermined level, and a warning device which is activated if the sensor signal is applied thereto uninterruptedly for a predetermined minimum period of time and results in maximizing functional reliability of the warning signal issuing means during all types of movement situations of the reservoir, while false alarms are virtually eliminated. This is accomlished in that each occurrence involving the uninterrupted application of a sensor signal for a period which is longer than the predetermined time period (t 1 ) is registered as an event, and in that the warning device is activated after a predetermined number (n) of events have been registered within a predetermined period of time (m). The apparatus used to implement this method is comprised of a reservoir, a level sensor fixedly mounted therein for signaling when the liquid drops below a predetermined minimum level, a warning device which is activated by the level sensor after a sensor signal has been applied thereto uninterruptedly for a predetermined minimum period of time, and a warning signal indicating device as well as an event storage device for storing each activating event and for actuating the warning signal issuing device at the end of a preset event storage phase.
Inventors
- 👤 Erich Habelmann
- 👤 Wolfgang Zabel
- 👤 Horst Beisenkotter
- 👤 Knut Gebhardt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 23:27
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01M; F01M11/00; F01M11/10; F01M11/12; G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
The method of measuring the level of liquid in tanks subject to varying acceleration, comprising the steps of: generating a sensor signal when the liquid has dropped below a preset minimum level, detecting each event of a sensor signal being on continuously for a longer time than a first preset minimum period (t 1 ) in the range of 3 to 16 seconds, generating a warning signal whenever a preset number (n) of events are detected during another period (m) in the range of 10 to 20 minutes, and generating the warning signal when the sensor signal is continuously on for a second preset minimum time period (t 2 ) in the range of 31 to 127 seconds.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
118 words
The method of measuring the level of liquid in tanks subject to varying acceleration, comprising the steps of: generating a sensor signal when the liquid has dropped below a preset minimum level, detecting each event of a sensor signal being on continuously for a longer time than a first preset minimum period (t 1 ) in the range of 3 to 16 seconds, generating a warning signal whenever a preset number (n) of events are detected during another period (m) in the range of 10 to 20 minutes, and generating the warning signal when the sensor signal is continuously on for a second preset minimum time period (t 2 ) in the range of 31 to 127 seconds.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
116 words
The method of measuring the level of liquid in tanks subject to varying acceleration, comprising the steps of: generating a sensor signal when the liquid has dropped below a preset minimum level, detecting each event of a sensor signal being on continuously for a longer time than a first preset minimum period (t 1 ), generating a warning signal whenever a preset number (n) of events are detected during another period (m) which is long in comparison to the first minimum period, and generating the warning signal when the sensor signal is continuously on for a second preset minimum time period (t 2 ) which is greater than the first minimum time period (t 1 ).
Claim 4
Independent Claim
116 words
The method of measuring the level of liquid in tanks subject to varying acceleration, comprising the steps of: generating a sensor signal when the liquid has dropped below a preset minimum level, detecting each event of a sensor signal being on continuously for a longer time than a first preset minimum period (t 1 ), generating a warning signal whenever a preset number (n) of events are detected during another period (m) which is long in comparison to the first minimum period, and generating the warning signal when the sensor signal is continuously on for a second preset minimum time period (t 2 ) which is greater than the first minimum time period (t 1 ).
Claim 5
Independent Claim
123 words
The method of measuring the level of engine oil in an oil reservoir of a vehicle engine subject to varying acceleration, comprising the steps of: generating a sensor signal when the oil has dropped below a preset minimum level, detecting each event of a sensor signal being on continuously for a longer time than a first preset minimum period (t 1 ), generating a warning signal whenever a preset number (n) of events are detected during another period (m) which is long in comparison to the first minimum period, and generating the warning signal when the sensor signal is continuously on for a second preset minimum time period (t 2 ) which is greater than the first minimum time period (t 1 ).
Claim 6
Independent Claim
123 words
The method of measuring the level of engine oil in an oil reservoir of a vehicle engine subject to varying acceleration, comprising the steps of: generating a sensor signal when the oil has dropped below a preset minimum level, detecting each event of a sensor signal being on continuously for a longer time than a first preset minimum period (t 1 ), generating a warning signal whenever a preset number (n) of events are detected during another period (m) which is long in comparison to the first minimum period, and generating the warning signal when the sensor signal is continuously on for a second preset minimum time period (t 2 ) which is greater than the first minimum time period (t 1 ).
Claim 7
Independent Claim
132 words
The method of measuring the level of engine oil in an oil reservoir of a vehicle engine subject to varying acceleration, comprising the steps of: generating a sensor signal when the oil has dropped below a preset minimum level, detecting each event of a sensor signal being on continuously for a longer time than a first preset minimum period (t 1 ), generating a warning signal whenever a preset number (n) of events are detected during another period (m) which is long in comparison to the first minimum period, generating the warning signal when the sensor signal is continuously on for a second preset minimum time period (t 2 ) which is greater than the first minimum time period (t 1 ), and repeating the warning signal after the engine is stopped.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
132 words
The method of measuring the level of engine oil in an oil reservoir of a vehicle engine subject to varying acceleration, comprising the steps of: generating a sensor signal when the oil has dropped below a preset minimum level, detecting each event of a sensor signal being on continuously for a longer time than a first preset minimum period (t 1 ), generating a warning signal whenever a preset number (n) of events are detected during another period (m) which is long in comparison to the first minimum period, generating the warning signal when the sensor signal is continuously on for a second preset minimum time period (t 2 ) which is greater than the first minimum time period (t 1 ), and repeating the warning signal after the engine is stopped.
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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) | 1991-09-06 | 1992-03-07 | 1992-09-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-09-06 | 1996-03-07 | 1996-09-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-09-06 | 2000-03-07 | 2000-09-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |