Fuel level sensor calibration
AssigneeTI Automotive (Neuss) GmbH
InventorsMatthias Henschel, Peter Schreuder
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of calibrating a level sensor installed in an empty tank. In the tank, the level sensor includes a float that is allowed to rest against a first stop, such as the tank bottom or tank top. This position of the float is stored as a first level, such as a minimum level, in memory of sensor electronics of the level sensor. The float is thereafter moved, such as under the force of gravity by inverting the tank, against a second stop such as the tank top or the tank bottom. This position of the float is stored as a second level, such as a maximum level.
Claims21
A method of calibrating a fuel level sensor installed in an empty fuel tank and including a float received between a top and bottom of the empty fuel tank, comprising the steps of:
- allowing the float to rest against a first stop within the empty fuel tank;
- storing the float position at the first stop as at least one of a minimum or maximum liquid fuel level;
- moving the float in the empty fuel tank against a second stop substantially spaced from and generally opposite the first stop;
- and
- storing the float position at the second stop as the other of the minimum or maximum liquid fuel level.
A method of calibrating a fuel level sensor installed in an empty fuel tank and including a float received between a top and bottom of the empty fuel tank, comprising the steps of:
- initially starting the level sensor;
- allowing the float to rest against a first stop in the empty fuel tank;
- storing the float position at the first stop as a minimum level;
- inverting the empty fuel tank and allowing the float to rest against a second stop spaced apart from and generally opposite the first stop;
- and
- storing the float position at the second stop as a maximum level in memory of sensor electronics.
A method of calibrating a fuel level sensor installed in an empty fuel tank and including a float received between a top and bottom of the empty fuel tank, comprising the steps of:
- initially starting the level sensor;
- allowing the float to rest against the bottom of the empty fuel tank;
- storing the float position at the first stop as a minimum level;
- inverting the empty fuel tank and allowing the float to rest against the top of the empty fuel tank;
- and
- storing the float position at the second stop as a maximum level in memory of sensor electronics.
The method of claim 20, further wherein level values between the minimum and maximum levels are determined using at least one of a level formula or a look up table for the fuel tank and stored in memory of the sensor electronics.
A method of calibrating a fuel level sensor installed in an empty fuel tank and including a float received therein, comprising the steps of:
- allowing the float to rest against a first stop within the empty fuel tank;
- storing the float position at the first stop as at least one of a minimum or maximum liquid fuel level;
- moving the float in the empty fuel tank against a second stop substantially spaced from and generally opposite the first stop;
- and
- storing the float position at the second stop as the other of the minimum or maximum liquid fuel level.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.