Magnetostrictive probe fuel quality sensor retrofit assembly

• US 8,539,829 B2
• Filed: 07/06/2011
• Issued: 09/24/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Danaher UK Industries Limited (Fortive Corp.), Veeder-Root Co (Vontier Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Danaher UK Industries Limited (Fortive Corp.), Veeder-Root Co (Vontier Corp.)
• Inventors: Bardsley, Richard, Reid, Kent
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jahangir, Naeem M
• Application Number:
  US13/176,808
• Publication Number:
  US 20130008247A1
• Time in Patent Office: 811 Days
• Field of Search: 73305-316, 733/19
• US Class Current: 73/313
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/62 using magnetically actuated indicating means

Abstract

A retrofit assembly for installing a fuel quality sensor with a fuel level probe having a shaft extending through a tank interface into a fuel storage tank. The shaft, which comprises a magnetostrictive element extending therealong, is coupled with the fuel quality sensor. An isolation sheath is sized for receipt over the shaft and to extend between the fuel quality sensor and the tank interface. The sheath has a cross-sectional profile configured to define at least one passage between the sheath and the shaft when the sheath is received over the shaft. The passage(s) extend between a proximal end and a distal end of the sheath. Also provided is a product-level float comprising at least one product-level magnet for measuring the level of fuel in the fuel storage tank. The product-level float is configured to translate along the sheath with the level of fuel in the fuel storage tank.

Claims

1. A retrofit assembly for use with a fuel level probe having a shaft extending through a tank interface into a fuel storage tank, said shaft comprising a magnetostrictive element extending therealong, said retrofit assembly comprising:

a fuel quality sensor for mounting to a terminal end of said probe;

an isolation sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, said isolation sheath sized to be received over said fuel level probe shaft and extend between said fuel quality sensor and said tank interface;

said isolation sheath having a cross-sectional profile configured to define at least one passage when said isolation sheath is received over said fuel level probe shaft, said at least one passage extending between said proximal end and said distal end of said isolation sheath; and

a product-level float comprising at least one product-level magnet for measuring the level of fuel in said fuel storage tank, said product-level float configured to translate along said isolation sheath as the level of fuel in said fuel storage tank changes.

2. The retrofit assembly of claim 1, wherein said isolation sheath permits electromagnetic interaction between said magnetostrictive element and said product-level magnet.

3. The retrofit assembly of claim 2, wherein said isolation sheath is thin-walled.

4. The retrofit assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one passage is sized to receive wiring extending from said fuel quality sensor.

5. The retrofit assembly of claim 4, wherein said fuel level probe is in electronic communication with a tank monitor.

6. The retrofit assembly of claim 5, wherein said wiring extends to said tank monitor.

7. The retrofit assembly of claim 5, wherein said fuel level probe comprises a canister having electronics therein and wherein signals from said electronics are multiplexed with signals from said fuel quality sensor.

8. The retrofit assembly of claim 5, wherein said product-level float is annular.

9. The retrofit assembly of claim 1, wherein said cross-sectional profile of said isolation sheath is triangular.

10. The retrofit assembly of claim 1, wherein said cross-sectional profile of said isolation sheath is square.

11. The retrofit assembly of claim 1, wherein said fuel quality sensor is configured to detect the onset and occurrence of phase separation.

12. A method of installing a fuel quality sensor with a fuel level probe in a fuel storage tank, said method comprising the steps of:

extending an isolation sheath over a shaft of said probe, said isolation sheath defining at least one longitudinal passage between said isolation sheath and said fuel level probe shaft;

coupling said fuel quality sensor with a terminal end of said fuel level probe shaft;

providing a product-level float along said isolation sheath for measuring the level of fuel in said fuel storage tank, said product-level float configured to translate along said isolation sheath; and

extending wiring between said fuel quality sensor and said tank interface along said at least one longitudinal passage.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said product-level float comprises at least one product-level magnet adapted for electromagnetic communication with said magnetostrictive element across said isolation sheath.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising providing electronic communication between said wiring and a tank monitor.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said fuel level probe comprises a canister having electronics therein.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising multiplexing signals from said fuel quality sensor with signals from said electronics in said canister and transmitting said multiplexed signals to said tank monitor.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein said isolation sheath defines a plurality of longitudinal passages.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the cross-sectional profile of said isolation sheath is triangular.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising forming said isolation sheath to isolate said wiring from fluids in said fuel storage tank.

20. A fuel level probe for use with a fuel storage tank, said fuel level probe comprising:

a shaft extending through a tank interface into said fuel storage tank, said shaft comprising a longitudinal magnetostrictive element;

a fuel quality sensor coupled with a terminal end of said shaft in said fuel storage tank;

an isolation sheath installed along said fuel level probe shaft between said fuel quality sensor and said tank interface;

said isolation sheath defining a plurality of longitudinal passages between said isolation sheath and said fuel level probe shaft for carrying wiring extending from said fuel quality sensor out of said fuel storage tank;

a product-level float for measuring the level of fuel in said fuel storage tank, said product-level float configured to translate along said isolation sheath;

wherein said product-level float comprises at least one product-level magnet adapted for electromagnetic communication with said magnetostrictive element across said isolation sheath.