Fuel fill monitoring system and method
US5532673A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 10, 1995 |
| Grant date | Jul 2, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 10, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R16/0232
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The fuel tank of a mobile vehicle is provided with a level sensor for sensing the level of fuel in the tank as it is being filled. The output signal from the level sensor is applied to a microprocessor which in turn provides output signals to drive an audible alarm and a visual display. The microprocessor determines the level of fuel in the tank from the signal produced by the level sensor and drives the audible alarm to provide a first sound pattern, such short beeps or tones when the tank is at least 3/4 full but less than 7/8 full and a second sound pattern such as a continuous tone when the tank is at least 7/8 full. The microprocessor also drives a visual display to display text messages indicating the level of fuel in the tank. A vehicle operator may initiate filling of the tank and attend to other service on the vehicle, leaving the fill operation unattended. The first sound pattern warns the operator that he must soon give his full attention to the fill operation. The continuous tone warns the operator that the fill operation has progressed to a stage where he must carefully observe and control further fuel input. This reduces the likelihood of fuel loss due to overfill or …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.