Pivotal liquid level sensor assembly
First Claim
1. A sensor assembly for determining the level of liquid in a tank, the sensor assembly comprising:
- a mounting bracket having a support end supported from the tank and also having a distal connection end;
a liquid level sensor having lower and upper ends and being connected to the mounting bracket at a pivot point, the liquid level sensor being pivotable between a retracted position for introducing the liquid level sensor into the tank and a deployed position for operation of the liquid level sensor, wherein, the upper end of the liquid level sensor is disposed generally above the pivot point; and
spring means engaging both the mounting bracket and the liquid level sensor for biasing the liquid level sensor toward the deployed position.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor assembly is provided for determining the level of liquid, such as fuel, in a tank such as a motor vehicle fuel tank. A mounting bracket has a support end adapted to be supported from the tank and also has a distal connection end. A liquid level sensor has lower and upper ends and a resistor element extending therebetween, and is connected to the connection end of the mounting bracket by a shaft. A torsional spring is disposed around the shaft, and biases the liquid level sensor from a retracted position and toward a deployed position. In the retracted position, the sensor assembly is insertable through an access hole in the tank. In the deployed position, the upper end of the liquid level sensor is disposed generally above the shaft and the resistor element is disposed generally vertically to provide the greatest resolution possible with both linear and angular sweep floats.
49 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A sensor assembly for determining the level of liquid in a tank, the sensor assembly comprising:
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a mounting bracket having a support end supported from the tank and also having a distal connection end; a liquid level sensor having lower and upper ends and being connected to the mounting bracket at a pivot point, the liquid level sensor being pivotable between a retracted position for introducing the liquid level sensor into the tank and a deployed position for operation of the liquid level sensor, wherein, the upper end of the liquid level sensor is disposed generally above the pivot point; and spring means engaging both the mounting bracket and the liquid level sensor for biasing the liquid level sensor toward the deployed position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A sensor assembly for determining the level of liquid in a tank, the sensor assembly comprising:
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a mounting bracket having a support end supported from the tank and also having a distal connection end; a liquid level sensor having lower and upper ends and a resistor element, the liquid level sensor being connected to the mounting bracket at a pivot point and pivotable between a retracted position for introducing the liquid level sensor into the tank and a deployed position for operation of the liquid level sensor, wherein the upper end of the liquid level sensor is disposed generally above the pivot point; a float adapted for generally linear movement on the resistor element; and spring means engaging both the mounting bracket and the liquid level sensor for biasing the liquid level sensor toward the delayed position. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A sensor assembly for determining the level of fuel in a motor vehicle fuel tank, the sensor assembly comprising:
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a mounting bracket having a support end supported from the tank and also having a distal connection end; a liquid level sensor having lower and upper ends and a resistor element, the liquid level sensor being connected to the connection end of the mounting bracket by a shaft and being pivotable between a retracted position for introducing the liquid level sensor into the tank and a deployed position for operation of the liquid level sensor, wherein the upper end of the liquid level sensor is disposed generally above the shaft and the resistor element is disposed generally vertically; a float adapted for generally linear movement on the resistor element; a torsional spring means engaging both the mounting bracket and the liquid level sensor and disposed around the shaft for biasing the liquid level sensor toward the deployed position. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification