In-tank fuel reservoir with fuel level sensor
AssigneeWalbro Corporation
InventorBrian K. Asselin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fuel delivery system for automotive engine and like applications comprises a canister for positioning within a fuel tank so as to be surrounded by fuel in the tank. An electric-motor fuel pump has an inlet and an outlet for feeding fuel under pressure from the tank to the engine. Excess fuel is returned from the engine to the canister. A fuel level sensor includes a pressure sensor positioned at a lower portion of the canister and responsive to head pressure within the canister and within the surrounding tank for providing an electrical signal as a function of a difference between such pressures. An indicator is responsive to such electrical signal for displaying tank fuel level to an operator.
Claims13
A fuel delivery system for automotive engine and like applications comprising:
- an electric-motor fuel pump for positioning within a fuel tank and having an inlet and an outlet for feeding fuel under pressure to an engine, the tank having a maximum design fuel level, means for returning excess fuel from the engine to the tank, and means for sensing fuel level within the tank, characterized that said level-sensing means comprises:
- means positioned at a lower portion of the tank responsive to fuel head pressure within the surrounding tank for providing an electrical signal as a function thereof, and means responsive to said electrical signal for indicating fuel level in the tank,
- said level-sensing means comprising reference head pressure means, including a reference column for holding fuel and means for feeding fuel returned from the engine to said reference column for maintaining fuel level in said reference column above said maximum design fuel level, said pressure-responsive means being responsive to fuel head pressure in said reference column in comparison to head pressure in the tank.
A fuel delivery system for automotive engine and like applications comprising:
- a canister for positioning within a fuel tank so as to be surrounded by fuel in the tank, an electic-motor fuel pump having an inlet and an outlet for feeding fuel under pressure to an engine, means for returning excess fuel from the engine to said canister, and means for sensing fuel level within the tank, characterized that said level-sensing means comprises:
- means positioned at a lower portion of said canister responsive to fuel head pressures within said canister and the surrounding tank for providing an electrical signal as a function of a difference therebetween, and means responsive to said electrical signal for indicating fuel level in the tank.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.