← Back to Patent Explorer
US5708424A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Wireless remote fuel gauge

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1996-08-19
•
Granted: 1998-01-13
•
Expires: 2016-08-19
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract The present invention relates to a wireless remote fuel gauge (10) comprising a tank gauge (12) positioned on a fuel tank (16A, 16B). The tank gauge (12) comprises a tank gauge microprocessor/analog converter (12A) electrically connected to a tank gauge power line (12F). A tank gauge transmitter (12B) is electrically connected to the tank gauge microprocessor/analog converter (12A). The tank gauge transmitter (12B) functions to transmit, by radio frequency, a level of fuel (18) information within the fuel tank (16A, 16B). A tank gauge indicator (12D) is mechanically connected to the tank gauge microprocessor/analog converter (12A). The tank gauge indicator (12D) functions to allow a consumer to visually monitor the level of fuel (18) within the fuel tank (16A, 16B). The tank gauge float (12G) maintains position on the level of fuel (18) within the fuel tank (16A, 16B). A remote unit (14) in radio frequency communication with the tank gauge (12) is positioned within a house (22) preferably within a hallway (22A, 22B). The remote unit (14) comprises a remote unit microprocessor (14A) electrically connected to a remote unit power line (14F). A remote unit transmitter (14B) is electrically connected to the remote unit microprocessor (14A). The remote unit transmitter (14B) functions to transmit, by wireless communication, a request for the level of fuel (18) information to the pre-existing tank gauge (12C). A remote unit receiver (14C) is electrically connected to the remote unit microprocessor (14A). The remote unit receiver (14C) functions to receive the level of fuel (18) information from the tank gauge transmitter (12B). A remote unit indicator (14D) is electrically connected to the remote unit microprocessor (14A). The remote unit indicator (14D) functions to visually exhibit the level of fuel (18) information to a user. A remote unit wireless communication means (14G) electrically connected to the remote unit microprocessor (14A). The remote unit wireless communication means (14G) functions to receive therethrough a request for the level of fuel (18) from a fuel company and transmit therethrough the level of fuel (18) to the fuel company.

Inventors

  • 👤 Vincent Orlando
  • 👤 Richard Cannarella

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 18:34
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M11/00; H04M11/002; G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/80; G01F23/802

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim 365 words
A wireless remote fuel gauge (10) comprising: A) at least one tank gauge (12) positioned on a fuel tank (16A, 16B), the tank gauge (12) comprises: I) a tank gauge microprocessor/analog converter (12A) electrically connected to a tank gauge power line (12F), ii) a tank gauge transmitter (12B) electrically connected to the tank gauge microprocessor/analog converter (12A), the tank gauge transmitter (12B) functions to transmit, by radio frequency, a level of fuel (18) information within the fuel tank (16A, 16B), iii) a tank gauge indicator (12D) mechanically connected to a tank gauge microprocessor/analog converter (12A), the pre-existing tank gauge indicator (12D) functions to allow a consumer to visually monitor the level of fuel (18) within the fuel tank (16A, 16B), and v) a freely moving tank gauge float (12G), mechanically connected to the tank gauge microprocessor/analog converter (12A), maintains position on the level of fuel (18) within the fuel tank (16A 16B); B) at least one remote unit (14) in radio frequency communication with the tank gauge (12) is positioned within a house (22) preferably within a hallway (22A, 22B) adjacent to a pre-existing thermostat, the remote unit (14) comprises: I) a remote unit microprocessor (14A) electrically connected to a remote unit power line (14F), ii) a remote unit transmitter (14B) electrically connected to the remote unit microprocessor (14A), the remote unit transmitter (14B) functions to transmit, by a wireless communication means, a request for the level of fuel (18) information to the pre-existing tank gauge (12C), iii) a remote unit receiver (14C) electrically connected to the remote unit microprocessor (14A), the remote unit receiver (14C) functions to receive the level of fuel (18) information from the tank gauge transmitter (12B), iv) a remote unit indicator (14D) electrically connected to the remote unit microprocessor (14A), the remote unit indicator (14D) functions to visually exhibit the level of fuel (18) information to a user, and v) a remote unit wireless communication means (14G) electrically connected to the remote unit microprocessor (14A), the remote unit wireless communication means (14G) functions to receive therethrough a request for the level of fuel (18) from a fuel company and transmit therethrough the level of fuel (18) to the fuel company.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 365 words
A wireless remote fuel gauge (10) comprising: A) at least one tank gauge (12) positioned on a fuel tank (16A, 16B), the tank gauge (12) comprises: I) a tank gauge microprocessor/analog converter (12A) electrically connected to a tank gauge power line (12F), ii) a tank gauge transmitter (12B) electrically connected to the tank gauge microprocessor/analog converter (12A), the tank gauge transmitter (12B) functions to transmit, by radio frequency, a level of fuel (18) information within the fuel tank (16A, 16B), iii) a tank gauge indicator (12D) mechanically connected to a tank gauge microprocessor/analog converter (12A), the pre-existing tank gauge indicator (12D) functions to allow a consumer to visually monitor the level of fuel (18) within the fuel tank (16A, 16B), and v) a freely moving tank gauge float (12G), mechanically connected to the tank gauge microprocessor/analog converter (12A), maintains position on the level of fuel (18) within the fuel tank (16A 16B); B) at least one remote unit (14) in radio frequency communication with the tank gauge (12) is positioned within a house (22) preferably within a hallway (22A, 22B) adjacent to a pre-existing thermostat, the remote unit (14) comprises: I) a remote unit microprocessor (14A) electrically connected to a remote unit power line (14F), ii) a remote unit transmitter (14B) electrically connected to the remote unit microprocessor (14A), the remote unit transmitter (14B) functions to transmit, by a wireless communication means, a request for the level of fuel (18) information to the pre-existing tank gauge (12C), iii) a remote unit receiver (14C) electrically connected to the remote unit microprocessor (14A), the remote unit receiver (14C) functions to receive the level of fuel (18) information from the tank gauge transmitter (12B), iv) a remote unit indicator (14D) electrically connected to the remote unit microprocessor (14A), the remote unit indicator (14D) functions to visually exhibit the level of fuel (18) information to a user, and v) a remote unit wireless communication means (14G) electrically connected to the remote unit microprocessor (14A), the remote unit wireless communication means (14G) functions to receive therethrough a request for the level of fuel (18) from a fuel company and transmit therethrough the level of fuel (18) to the fuel company.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 54 words
The wireless remote fuel gauge (10) as described in claim 1, wherein the remote unit indicator (14D) is selected from a group consisting of remote unit empty indicator (14DA), remote unit 1/4 indicator (14DB), remote unit 1/2 indicator (14DC), a remote unit 3/4 indicator (14DD), remote unit full indicator (14DE), and LCD numerical display.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 30 words
The wireless remote fuel gauge (10) as described in claim 1, wherein the remote unit (14) further comprises a remote unit thermostat (14E) having a remote unit thermostat display (14EA).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 26 words
The wireless remote fuel gauge (10) as described in claim 3, wherein the remote unit thermostat (14E) further comprises a remote unit thermostat adjustment means (14EB).

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4147893A Cited
US4845486A Cited
US5265032A Cited
US5483826A Cited
US5289369A Cited
US5359522A Cited
US5423457A Cited
US5619560A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2001-01-12 2001-07-14 2002-01-13 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2005-01-12 2005-07-14 2006-01-13 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2009-01-12 2009-07-14 2010-01-13 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag