IP Library Granted Patent US 7,251,999
Granted Patent B2
US 7,251,999 · App. 10/552,924 · Granted Aug 7, 2007

Level sensor for a fuel tank

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,251,999
App. No.
10/552,924
Granted
Aug 7, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

In a level sensor ( 2 ) for a fuel tank, one end of a lever wire ( 7 ) is located at a distance from a bearing ( 11 ) of a bracket ( 5 ). The bracket ( 5 ) has two limbs ( 12, 13 ) of which one holds the lever wire ( 7 ) and the other controls the signal transmitter ( 8 ). This enables the level sensor ( 1 ) to be calibrated in a particularly easy manner.

Claims (11)

1. A level sensor for generating electrical signals as a function of a lever arm comprising:

(a) a float ( 4 ) having a float arm ( 7 ) attached to an end thereof;

(b) a support ( 6 ) for attachment to a side wall of a vehicle fuel tank;

(c) a bracket ( 5 ) having a first limb ( 12 ) and a second limb ( 13 );

(d) a bearing ( 11 ) pivotally joining the bracket ( 5 ) on the support ( 6 ) at a location between the first and second limbs; and

(e) means connecting the end of the float arm furthest from the float to first limb ( 12 ) at a location a predetermined distance from the bearing ( 11 ), whereby damaging vibration can be eliminated from the level sensor.

2. The level sensor as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the bracket ( 5 ) has two limbs ( 12 , 13 ) which project from the bearing ( 11 ), and in that the free end of the lever wire ( 7 ) is arranged on a first limb ( 12 ) and the second limb ( 13 ) is designed to actuate the signal transmitter ( 8 ).

3. The level sensor as claimed in claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that an angled section ( 14 ) of the free end of the lever wire ( 7 ) penetrates a recess ( 15 ) in the first limb ( 12 ) of the bracket ( 5 ), and in that the recess ( 15 ) is arranged at the end which is remote from the bearing ( 11 ) of the bracket ( 5 ).

4. The level sensor as defined in claim 3 , wherein a vibration damper ( 17 ) is arranged in the recess ( 15 ).

5. The level sensor as defined in claim 1 , wherein the lever wire ( 7 ) is arranged on that side of the support ( 6 ) which is remote from the signal transmitter ( 8 ).

6. The level sensor as defined in claim 4 , wherein two vibration dampers ( 17 ) are arranged on a section of the first limb ( 12 ) of the bracket ( 5 ), this section being routed parallel to the lever wire ( 7 ).

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2020
From: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
To: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
Reel/Frame 053371/0846 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2011
From: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
To: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
Reel/Frame 027263/0068 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 11, 2005
From: BENNER, HANS-GUENTER; PAUER, BERND; PETE, ROBERT
To: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
Reel/Frame 017885/0931 →