US5400376A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic fuel gauging system using state machine control
Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products Inc
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Filing: 1993-04-02
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Granted: 1995-03-21
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Expires: 2013-04-02
Abstract
No abstract record available.
Inventors
- 👤 Christian L. Trudeau
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:10
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/28; G01F23/296; G01F23/2962; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/88
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
An ultrasonic fuel gauging apparatus for a fuel tank, the apparatus comprising a plurality of ultrasonic fuel level sensors for sensing fuel levels at respective predetermined locations in a tank based on echo ranging; each sensor operating in response to one or more respective sensor control parameters; memory means for storing said sensor control parameters and sensor data; and a non-microprocessor controlled state device, interfaced with said sensors and said memory means, for interrogating each of said sensors by controlling the application of transmit pulses to each of said sensors and for receiving output signals corresponding to return echoes of said sensors; said state device controlling operation of said sensors in response to said sensor control parameters accessed by said state device from said memory means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
An ultrasonic fuel gauging apparatus for a fuel tank, the apparatus comprising a plurality of ultrasonic fuel level sensors for sensing fuel levels at respective predetermined locations in a tank based on echo ranging; each sensor operating in response to one or more respective sensor control parameters; memory means for storing said sensor control parameters and sensor data; and a non-microprocessor controlled state device, interfaced with said sensors and said memory means, for interrogating each of said sensors by controlling the application of transmit pulses to each of said sensors and for receiving output signals corresponding to return echoes of said sensors; said state device controlling operation of said sensors in response to said sensor control parameters accessed by said state device from said memory means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said state device is a hardware configurable circuit device that sequentially functions from a logic counter, said state device operating on the basis of a state transition sequence executed by internal logic independent of control software.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said memory means comprises random access memory means addressable by said state device for storing and retrieving echo data for each of said sensors; and a non-volatile memory for storing default sensor control parameters.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said state device operates in response to a sequential state counter and adaptively modifies said sensor control parameters during a state transition sequence operation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said state device adaptively modifies said sensor parameters in response to said sensor output signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said state device operates as a function of a logic state counter and is configured to read/write data autonomously to and from said memory means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said state device interrogates said sensors in a sequential pattern based on said control parameters stored in non-volatile data register means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said state device is a user configurable hardware circuit device having a plurality of integrated logic circuits.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said state device operates independently of control software and firmware.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said state device circuit functions are controlled by said logic state counter.
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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) | 1998-03-20 | 1998-09-19 | 1999-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-03-20 | 2002-09-19 | 2003-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-03-20 | 2006-09-19 | 2007-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |