Method using magnetostrictive probe buoyancy for detecting fuel density
AssigneeVeeder-Root Company
InventorRobert P. Hart
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A magnetostrictive fuel level probe includes a spring-loaded foot. The probe shaft of the fuel level probe moves up and down within the spring-loaded foot as a function of fuel density. The spring-loaded foot includes a reference magnet whose height relative to the bottom of a fuel storage tank is fixed. Currents generated by the fuel level probe allow measurement of how much of the fuel level probe is positioned above the reference magnet, and from this measurement, the buoyancy of the fuel level probe may be measured. From the buoyancy of the fuel level probe, the fuel density may be calculated.
Claims10
A method of detecting fuel density for fuel within a fuel storage tank, comprising:
- measuring, with a magnetostrictive fuel probe having a probe shaft, a distance associated with an amount of the probe shaft positioned above a reference magnet;
- calculating a buoyancy associated with the probe shaft;
- calculating from the buoyancy of the probe shaft, the fuel density for fuel within the fuel storage tank;
- and
- reporting the fuel density to a location removed from the magnetostrictive fuel probe.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.