Device for measuring the level of a fuel tank

• US 7,117,904 B2
• Filed: 10/13/2005
• Issued: 10/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Original Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Inventors: Strasser, Ralf
• Primary Examiner(s): MAUST, TIMOTHY LEWIS
• Application Number:
  US11/248,179
• Publication Number:
  US 20060027284A1
• Time in Patent Office: 362 Days
• Field of Search: 141/1, 141/2, 141/18, 141/82, 141/83, 141/94, 141/95, 732/90.R, 732/95
• US Class Current: 141/95
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/04 Tank inlets B60K15/077 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/077 with means modifying or controlling distribution or motion of fuel, e.g. to prevent noise, surge, splash or fuel starvation
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03217 Fuel level sensors
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 33/003 Controlling the feeding of liquid fuel from storage containers to carburettors or fuel-injection apparatus control of electrical fuel pumps F02D41/3082, controlling fuel flow to a common rail F02D41/3845; Failure or leakage prevention; Diagnosis or detection of failure; Arrangement of sensors in the fuel system; Electric wiring; Electrostatic discharge
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/0082 Devices inside the fuel tank other than fuel pumps or filters electrical pumps submerged in fuel tanks F02M37/10, jet pumps F02M37/025
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/22 by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water involving the use of floats G01F23/30
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/24 by measuring variations of resistance of resistors due to contact with conductor fluid

Abstract

A device for measuring the filling level of a fuel tank, in particular for motor vehicles, having two openings for installation of a filling connection and a pump unit, and a film sensor provided with an electric connecting cable which can be connected to a display device through the pump unit. The film sensor is embedded in a protective tube which is provided with inlet openings for the fuel. The protective tube is mounted on the filling connection at the side and can be inserted jointly with it into the respective opening in the fuel tank.

Claims

1. A device for measuring the filling level of a fuel tank having an opening for installation of a filling connection and an opening for installation of a pump unit, comprising:

a film sensor;

a protective tube protecting the film sensor;

an electric connecting cable for connecting the film sensor to a level display system,

wherein

the protective tube is held at least at a mounting point adjacent to the filling connection opening, and

the electric connecting cable is connected at one end to the film sensor and either passes out of the fuel tank through the pump unit opening or is connected to wires which pass out of the fuel tank through the pump unit opening.

2. The filling level measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protective tube is mounted on the filling connection.

3. The filling level measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting cable is connected by a plug connection to one or more electric lines embedded in the pump unit.

4. The filling level measuring device as claimed in claim 2, wherein an upper end of the protective tube is connected to the filling connection with an articulated joint.

5. The filling level measuring device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the articulated joint includes a hook provided at the upper end of the protective tube which cooperates with a flange at the side of the filling connection.

6. The filling level measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a lower end of the protective tube is arranged to be held at a bottom of the fuel tank.

7. The filling level measuring device as claimed in claim 5, wherein a spring clamp is mounted on the lower end of the protective tube, the spring clamp being arranged to cooperate in non-positive engagement with an engagement area provided on the bottom of the fuel tank.

8. The filling level measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protective tube comprises two half-shells which, when locked together, form a film sensor support slot.

9. A fuel tank, comprising:

a tank body, said tank body having an opening for installation of a filling connection and an opening for installation of a pump unit;

a filling connection located at the filling connection opening;

a pump unit located at the pump unit opening;

a film sensor;

a protective tube protecting the film sensor;

an electric connecting cable for connecting the film sensor to a level display system,

wherein

the protective tube is held at least at a mounting point adjacent to the filling connection opening, and

the electric connecting cable is connected at one end to the film sensor and either passes out of the fuel tank through the pump unit opening or is connected to wires which pass out of the fuel tank through the pump unit opening.

10. A method of assembling a fuel tank having a filling level sensor, comprising the acts of:

providing a tank body, where said tank body includes an opening for installation of a filling connection and an opening for installation of a fuel pump unit;

providing a film sensor mounted on a protective tube, the protective tube being held at least at a mounting point adjacent to the filling connection opening;

providing an electric connecting cable for connecting the film sensor to a level display system, the electric connecting cable being connected at one end to the film sensor;

connecting an upper end of the protective tube to an outside portion of a filling connection;

inserting the connected protective tube and filling connection into the filling connection opening;

establishing an electric communication path through the fuel pump unit opening from the electric connecting cable to wires outside the fuel tank; and

inserting the fuel pump unit into the fuel pump unit opening.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the electric communication path includes passage of the electric connecting cable through the fuel unit opening.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the electric communication path includes a plug connection inside the fuel tank between the electric connecting cable and wires which extend through the fuel unit opening.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the electric communication path wires are formed with the fuel pump unit, and the fuel pump unit closes off the fuel pump unit opening when the fuel pump unit is mounted in the opening.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising the act of:

engaging a lower end of the protective tube with a corresponding surface at a bottom of the fuel tank.