Granted Patent B2

US 12,298,167 · App. 17/516,298 · Granted May 13, 2025

Inventors: Todd Breuer (McFarland, WI); Vitaliy Demin (Saco, ME); Randall Boucher (Saco, ME); Adam Main (McFarland, WI)

Assignee: FRANKLIN FUELING SYSTEMS, LLC

G01F23/241B01D36/005B67D7/766B67D7/78F02M37/32G01N33/2858

Abstract

Claims (26)

1. A water float, comprising:

a float base; and

a frame including two frame halves, each frame half including at least one snap connector positioned within a channel defined by the frame half for indexing the frame to the float base, the at least one snap connector including a ramped distal end;

wherein the float base includes a plurality of stops extending radially inwardly into a central aperture of the float base, each of the plurality of stops including a ramped proximal end; and

wherein the ramped distal end of the at least one snap connector of each frame half contacts a ramped proximal end of one of the plurality of stops upon insertion of the frame into the central aperture of the float base, and flexes until an outwardly directed shoulder of the at least one snap connector passes the stop.

2. The water float of claim 1 , wherein each of the at least one snap connector includes an outer surface that tapers radially outwardly from the shoulder to resist movement of the float base upwardly relative to the frame.

3. The water float of claim 1 , wherein the frame includes a plurality of water float feet that extend distally from the float base when the frame is connected to the float base, the plurality of water float feet being configured to engage a foot coupled to a magnetostrictive probe.

4. The water float of claim 1 , wherein the frame includes a plurality of frame spacers that extend radially inwardly from the frame and are configured to contact a magnetostrictive probe as the frame moves relative to the magnetostrictive probe.

5. The water float of claim 1 , wherein the water float has a specific gravity such that it is buoyant in water collected at the floor of a tank of no more than 0.25 inches.

6. The water float of claim 1 , wherein the water float has a diameter of 2.75 inches or less.

7. The water float of claim 1 , wherein each frame half includes one of a plurality of attachment bosses or a plurality of attachment apertures, the plurality of attachment bosses forming an interference fit with the plurality of attachment apertures, thereby connecting one frame half to the other frame half.

8. The water float of claim 1 , further including a water float magnet, wherein a top end of each frame half includes an annular channel sized to hold the water float magnet when the frame halves are connected to one another.

9. The water float of claim 8 , further comprising at least one ballast ring, wherein a bottom end of each frame half includes a ballast receiver including an annular groove sized to receive the at least one ballast ring.

10. The water float of claim 9 , wherein the float magnet and the at least one ballast ring each include a central opening sized to receive a magnetostrictive probe.

11. A water float, comprising:

a float base; and

a frame including two frame halves, each frame half including at least one friction connector extending outwardly from the frame half;

wherein the float base includes a central aperture;

wherein upon insertion of the frame into the central aperture of the float base, the at least one friction connectors frictionally engage the float base to inhibit movement of the float base relative to the frame; and

wherein the frame includes a plurality of water float feet that extend distally from the float base when the frame is connected to the float base, the plurality of water float feet being configured to engage a foot coupled to a magnetostrictive probe.

12. The water float of claim 11 , wherein the frame includes a plurality of frame spacers that extend radially inwardly from the frame and are configured to contact a magnetostrictive probe as the frame moves relative to the magnetostrictive probe.

13. The water float of claim 11 , wherein the water float has a specific gravity such that it is buoyant in water collected at the floor of a tank of no more than 0.25 inches.

14. The water float of claim 11 , wherein each frame half includes one of a plurality of attachment bosses or a plurality of attachment apertures, the plurality of attachment bosses forming an interference fit with the plurality of attachment apertures, thereby connecting one frame half to the other frame half.

15. The water float of claim 11 , further including a water float magnet, wherein a top end of each frame half includes an annular channel sized to hold the water float magnet when the frame halves are connected to one another.

16. The water float of claim 15 , further comprising at least one ballast ring, wherein a bottom end of each frame half includes a ballast receiver including an annular groove sized to receive the at least one ballast ring.

17. The water float of claim 15 , wherein the float magnet and the at least one ballast ring each include a central opening sized to receive a magnetostrictive probe.

Continuity (3)

References Cited (90)