Method and system for determining level of fuel

• US 20070012102A1
• Filed: 07/15/2005
• Published: 01/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Chrysler LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Schmidt, Robert, Teets, Michael, Enge, Trevor, Bremmer, Lavern
• Granted Patent: US 7,343,797 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/299
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/18 Indicating, recording or alarm devices actuated electrically

Abstract

A method and system for determining the level of fuel contained in the tank of a motor vehicle includes a fuel pump disposed in the tank for creating a flow of fuel in the tank. An elongated tube is placed vertically in the tank. The system also includes a venturi tube coupled between the fuel pump and the elongated tube for creating a vacuum as a result of a portion of the flow of fuel therethrough from the fuel pump thereby drawing fuel vapor from the elongated tube at a varying pressure, the pressure decreasing as the amount of fuel vapor in the tank increases. A controller is coupled to the elongated tube for determining the level of fuel in the tank based on the pressure.

Claims

1. A system for determining a level of fuel contained in a tank of a motor vehicle containing both fuel and fuel vapor, the system comprising:

a fuel pump disposed in the tank and for creating a flow of fuel in the tank;

an elongated tube placed vertically in the tank;

a venturi tube coupled between the fuel pump and the elongated tube for creating a vacuum as a result of a portion of the flow of fuel therethrough from the fuel pump thereby drawing fuel vapor from the elongated tube at a varying pressure, the pressure decreasing as the amount of fuel vapor in the tank increases, and

a controller coupled to the elongated tube for determining the level of fuel in the tank based on the pressure.

2. The system as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

a pressure transducer coupled to the elongated tube and the controller for determining the pressure at an interior of the elongated tube.

3. The system as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

a display coupled to the controller for displaying the level of fuel in the tank.

4. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the tube has a plurality of perforations along a length of the elongated tube and wherein fuel vapor is drawn through the perforations.

5. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the elongated tube is constructed of a plastic material.

6. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the elongated tube is constructed of a metal material.

7. The system as recited in claim 4 wherein the perforations are holes.

8. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the venturi tube is coupled to the elongated tube via an interconnect tube.

9. A method for determining a level of fuel contained in a tank of a motor vehicle containing both fuel and fuel vapor, the method comprising:

creating a flow of fuel in the tank;

creating a vacuum as a result of a portion of the flow of fuel flowing through a venturi tube thereby drawing fuel vapor from the fuel tank at a varying pressure, the pressure decreasing as the amount of fuel vapor in the tank increases, and

determining the level of fuel in the tank based on the pressure.

10. The method as recited in claim 9 further comprising displaying the level of fuel in the tank.