US4813282A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle fuel level sensor
Assignee: Veglia Borletti SRL
•
Filing: 1987-12-08
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Granted: 1989-03-21
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Expires: 2007-12-08
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle fuel level sensor comprising a hollow cylindrical body housing a sliding float, the position of which is determined by the fuel level in the fuel tank. The sensor also comprises a filter surrounding as portion of the side wall of the cylindrical body, close to the bottom wall of the same, so as to define, with the side wall, a first chamber; and a plate for supporting the filter and connected to the bottom wall of the hollow cylindrical body so as to define, with the bottom wall, a second chamber communicating directly with the first chamber and, via a through hole in the bottom wall, with the inside of the hollow cylindrical body.
Inventors
- 👤 Giorgio Maggia
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:50
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/30; G01F23/64; G01F23/68; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7287; Y10T137/7358; Y10T137/7423; Y10T137/7426; Y10T137/7433
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A vehicle fuel level sensor for a fuel tank comprising: a hollow body designed to fit onto a top wall of the fuel tank and substantially presenting a side wall with an outer surface, and a bottom wall having a through hole through which fuel flows into said body; a float designed to slide inside said body by virtue of the hydrostatic thrust exerted by said fuel; and means for detecting the position of said float; a filter mounted facing at least part of the outer surface of said side wall of said hollow body, close to said bottom wall, and defining, with said side wall, a first chamber; and a supporting body for supporting said filter and facing said bottom wall so as to define, with said bottom wall, a second chamber communicating directly with said first chamber and, via said through hole, with the inside of said hollow body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
A vehicle fuel level sensor for a fuel tank comprising: a hollow body designed to fit onto a top wall of the fuel tank and substantially presenting a side wall with an outer surface, and a bottom wall having a through hole through which fuel flows into said body; a float designed to slide inside said body by virtue of the hydrostatic thrust exerted by said fuel; and means for detecting the position of said float; a filter mounted facing at least part of the outer surface of said side wall of said hollow body, close to said bottom wall, and defining, with said side wall, a first chamber; and a supporting body for supporting said filter and facing said bottom wall so as to define, with said bottom wall, a second chamber communicating directly with said first chamber and, via said through hole, with the inside of said hollow body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said filter is tubular and said first chamber is annular.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A sensor as claimed in claim 2, wherein said filter includes a pair of annular end elements connected by a number of longitudinal elements between which are inserted a number of filtering elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A sensor as claimed in claim 3, wherein one of said annular end elements is a bottom annular element and includes means for enabling mechanical connection to said supporting body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A sensor as claimed in claim 4, wherein said mechanical connecting means includes an annular projection extending radially inwards of said bottom annular element; said annular projection engaging a radial annular groove on the outside of said supporting body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said supporting body includes a plate mounted facing said bottom wall and held in place by connecting means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A sensor as claimed in claim 6, wherein said connecting means includes a number of appendixes extending from said plate and presenting engaging means cooperating with respective supporting means on said body close to said bottom wall.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A sensor as claimed in claim 7, wherein said engaging means includes end projections extending from said appendixes and cooperating with respective seats on a projection extending from said bottom wall.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A sensor as claimed in claim 8, wherein said projection extending from said bottom wall is annular, and said seat on said projection includes an annular groove.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
85 words
A sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sensor includes a cover, and wherein said means for detecting the position of said float includes a resistive wire wound about a tubular guide and cooperating with at least one contact element on said float; one end of said tubular guide extending axially beyond said bottom wall and communicating directly with said second chamber; and a second end of said tubular guide communicating with a fuel supply pipe substantially located on the cover of said sensor.
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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) | 1992-03-20 | 1992-09-19 | 1993-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-03-20 | 1996-09-19 | 1997-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-03-20 | 2000-09-19 | 2001-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |