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Low fuel indicating device

  • US 4,167,002 A
  • Filed: 03/10/1978
  • Issued: 09/04/1979
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/10/1978
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A device for detecting and indicating a low liquid fuel supply for an airplane engine or the like, said device comprising:

  • a head having an inlet adapted to be connected to the fuel supply, and an outlet adapted to be connected to a fuel line leading to the engine;

    a reservoir secured to and disposed beneath said head, said reservoir being in communication with said inlet and said outlet so that fuel passes through said reservoir from said inlet to said outlet and accumulates therein;

    said head having a vapor chamber disposed above and in communication with said reservoir, and orifice means disposed between said vapor chamber and said outlet to provide for a predetermined flow of vapor from said vapor chamber to said outlet; and

    float switch means movably disposed within said vapor chamber and adapted to be electrically connected to a low fuel indicator, said float switch means being movable between an upper position wherein it opens a circuit to the indicator and a lower position wherein it closes a circuit to the indicator;

    whereby when the fuel supply is adequate, fuel entering said inlet and reservoir has a normal vapor content and liquid fuel accumulates in said reservoir and rises to a level to maintain said float switch means in said upper position, the vapor rising above the liquid fuel into said vapor chamber and passing through said orifice to said outlet; and

    when the fuel supply is low, the fuel entering the reservoir has a high vapor content which accumulates in said vapor chamber and forces the liquid fuel level downwardly so that said float switch means moves to its lower position to indicate low fuel;

    the liquid fuel in said reservoir providing a temporary fuel supply through said outlet after low fuel is indicated.

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