Fuel density measuring device, system, and method using magnetostrictive probe bouyancy
First Claim
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1. A fuel level probe, comprising:
- a probe shaft adapted to be positioned in a fuel tank, said probe shaft being buoyant in fuel; and
a spring-loaded foot positioned on a terminal end of the probe shaft to remain fixed with respect to a bottom of said fuel tank as the probe shaft moves due to its buoyancy.
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Abstract
A magnetostrictive fuel level probe includes a spring-loaded foot. The probe shaft of the fuel level probe moves up and down within the spring-loaded foot as a function of fuel density. The spring-loaded foot includes a reference magnet whose height relative to the bottom of a fuel storage tank is fixed. Currents generated by the fuel level probe allow measurement of how much of the fuel level probe is positioned above the reference magnet, and from this measurement, the buoyancy of the fuel level probe may be measured. From the buoyancy of the fuel level probe, the fuel density may be calculated.
50 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A fuel level probe, comprising:
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a probe shaft adapted to be positioned in a fuel tank, said probe shaft being buoyant in fuel; and a spring-loaded foot positioned on a terminal end of the probe shaft to remain fixed with respect to a bottom of said fuel tank as the probe shaft moves due to its buoyancy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A fuel level probe, comprising:
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a probe shaft adapted to be positioned in a fuel tank; and a spring-loaded foot positioned on a terminal end of the probe shaft; wherein the spring-loaded foot comprises an inner cup and an outer cup. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A fuel level probe, comprising:
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a probe shaft adapted to be positioned in a fuel tank; and a spring-loaded foot positioned on a terminal end of the probe shaft; wherein the probe shaft comprises a magnetostrictive wire positioned within the probe shaft; wherein the fuel level probe generates a current on the magnetostrictive wire and detects torsional wave reflections in the magnetostrictive wire; and wherein the spring-loaded foot comprises a reference magnet and the probe shaft moves relative to the reference magnet such that fuel density can be derived by measuring how much of the probe shaft is positioned above the reference magnet.
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14. A system of measuring fuel density in a fuel storage tank, comprising:
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a magnetostrictive fuel level probe adapted to determine a fuel level within the fuel storage tank, said magnetostrictive fuel level probe comprising a probe shaft adapted to extend into the fuel storage tank, the probe shaft having a weight (Wp); a foot attached to the probe shaft, the foot comprising; an outer cup adapted to receive a portion of the probe shaft and allowing the probe shaft to move up and down within the outer cup; a reference magnet with respect to which the probe shaft moves up and down; and a spring positioned inside the outer cup and on which the weight rests such that the spring is compressed; and a control system adapted to determine the fuel density from measurements made by the magnetostrictive fuel level probe regarding a position of the probe shaft relative the reference magnet and the fuel level within the fuel storage tank. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification