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Light sensing contactless fuel level sensor

  • US 7,677,098 B2
  • Filed: 08/08/2007
  • Issued: 03/16/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2007
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A sealed fuel level sensor for a fuel tank comprising:

  • a frame having a cavity therein;

    a cover connected to said frame to enclose said cavity;

    a float arm coupled to one of said frame and said cover;

    a float connected to said float arm and configured such that said float moves said float arm as a level of fuel increases and decreases in the fuel tank; and

    a light-responsive sensor configured to generate a fuel level signal indicative of a fuel level in the fuel tank based on the movement of said float arm;

    wherein said frame includes a boss projecting therefrom into said cavity towards said cover, said boss including a cylindrical through-bore having an axis, said boss comprising translucent material;

    said frame further includes a support projecting therefrom into said cavity towards said cover, said support including a mounting surface;

    a light source;

    said light-responsive sensor includes a photoelectric sensor disposed on said mounting surface so as to face said boss;

    said fuel level sensor further including a hub disposed in said through bore, said hub having a main cylindrical body portion with a first, outside diameter, said hub further having a retaining flange extending from said cylindrical body portion at a first end thereof, said retaining flange having a second, outside diameter greater than a third diameter of said cylindrical through-bore so as to retain said hub in said through bore, said hub having a first, light-source recess at said first end thereof configured to receive said light source, said hub further having a second recess formed at a second end thereof axially opposite said first end configured to receive and retain a proximal portion of said float arm such that said movement of said float arm causes rotation of said hub in said cylindrical bore;

    wherein said cylindrical body further includes an opening through an outer surface thereof in light communication with said light-source recess, said opening configured in size and shape to vary an amount of light passing out of said opening and into a line-of-sight to be received by said photoelectric sensor as a function of a rotational position of said hub.

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