FUEL QUANTITY MEASUREMENT
First Claim
1. A method of determining a quantity of fuel within a fuel tank having a drain valve penetrating a lower boundary of the fuel tank, the method including:
- interconnecting a pressure measurement probe with the drain valve to permit direct or indirect contact between a pressure sensor and fuel within the tank;
measuring a pressure of the fuel with the pressure sensor; and
using the measured pressure and information relating to the geometry of the fuel tank to determine the quantity of fuel within the tank.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a method, device and apparatus for determining a quantity of fuel within a fuel tank having a drain valve penetrating a lower boundary of the fuel tank. The method includes inserting a pressure measurement probe having a pressure sensor into the drain valve to permit contact between the pressure sensor and fuel within the tank, and measuring a pressure of the fuel with the pressure sensor. The measured pressure is used to determine the quantity of fuel within the tank, e.g. by consulting look-up tables comprising data indicating the relationship between measured pressure and fuel quantity, or by using one or more conversion equations.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of determining a quantity of fuel within a fuel tank having a drain valve penetrating a lower boundary of the fuel tank, the method including:
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interconnecting a pressure measurement probe with the drain valve to permit direct or indirect contact between a pressure sensor and fuel within the tank; measuring a pressure of the fuel with the pressure sensor; and using the measured pressure and information relating to the geometry of the fuel tank to determine the quantity of fuel within the tank. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. Equipment for determining a quantity of fuel within a fuel tank having a drain valve penetrating a lower boundary of the fuel tank, the equipment comprising:
- a device including a pressure measurement probe and a pressure sensor, the pressure measurement probe being adapted to interconnect with the drain valve to permit direct or indirect contact between the pressure sensor and fuel within the tank; and
quantity calculation means for generating a value indicative of the quantity of fuel using a pressure measured by the pressure sensor and information relating to the geometry of the fuel tank. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
- a device including a pressure measurement probe and a pressure sensor, the pressure measurement probe being adapted to interconnect with the drain valve to permit direct or indirect contact between the pressure sensor and fuel within the tank; and
Specification