Fuel level indicator for combustion tools
First Claim
1. A combustion tool employing a replaceable pressurized fuel cell, comprising:
- a fuel condition monitor system for monitoring the condition of fuel in said fuel cell and for indicating the monitored condition to a user.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A combustion tool employing a replaceable pressurized fuel cell includes a fuel condition monitor system for monitoring and indicating fuel cell fuel condition. The fuel condition monitor system includes a fuel condition monitor for monitoring at least one of fuel cell pressure and fuel flow from the fuel cell, a control unit connected to the monitor for receiving fuel condition data sensed by the monitor, comparing the sensed data with preset values and determining fuel level in the fuel cell based on the determinations, a metering valve connected to the control unit, providing the exact amount of fuel based upon fuel cell condition, and an indicator connected to the control unit for providing an indication of fuel level. A method of monitoring and indicating combustion tool fuel cell condition includes providing a preset series of fuel cell condition values, monitoring fuel cell condition, obtaining fuel cell condition data, comparing the monitored data with preset values and determining whether there is sufficient fuel and providing a signal to an indicator.
859 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A combustion tool employing a replaceable pressurized fuel cell, comprising:
a fuel condition monitor system for monitoring the condition of fuel in said fuel cell and for indicating the monitored condition to a user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A fuel condition monitor system for monitoring the condition of fuel in a fuel cell of a combustion tool, and for indicating the monitored condition to a user, said system including:
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a fuel condition monitor for monitoring at least one of fuel cell pressure and fuel flow from said fuel cell;
a control unit connected to said monitor for receiving fuel condition data sensed by said monitor, comparing said sensed data with preset values and determining fuel level in said fuel cell based on said determinations; and
an indicator connected to said control unit for providing a user with an indication of said fuel level in said fuel cell. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A method of monitoring and indicating fuel cell condition of a fuel cell in a combustion tool, comprising:
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providing a preset series of fuel cell condition values;
monitoring fuel cell condition and obtaining current fuel cell condition data;
comparing said monitored fuel cell condition data with said preset values;
determining the amount of fuel in said fuel cell; and
providing a signal to an indicator for indicating the amount of fuel in the fuel cell. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
controlling the operation of the metering valve as a function of said determination of the amount of fuel in said fuel cell.
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18. The method of claim 16 further including:
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providing a temperature sensor associated with said fuel cell;
monitoring the temperature of said fuel cell;
providing temperature data in said comparison of said monitored fuel cell condition data and said preset values;
determining the amount of fuel in said fuel cell as a function of temperature; and
adjusting a fuel-metering valve in said tool in response to said determination.
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19. The method of claim 16 wherein said monitoring includes reading pressure values of fluid pressure in said fuel cell.
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20. The method of claim 16 wherein said monitoring includes reading fuel flow values of a flow of fluid between a fuel metering valve connected to said fuel cell and a combustion chamber.
Specification