Fuel tank pressure indicator, including cap and container interface pressure indicator
First Claim
1. A pressure indicator for a fuel tank, comprising:
- pressure sensors, processing chips, transmitters, batteries and wires in a component selected from the group comprising gaskets and washers for a cap that closes an opening of a fuel tank;
wherein the processing chips cause the transmitters to send a signal to a receiver when the sensors detect that pressure in a fuel tank is below a predetermined level, the batteries supply power to the sensors, the processing chips and the transmitters, and the wires electrically connect the batteries, the sensors, the processing chips, and the transmitters; and
when the signal is received by the receiver, whether or not the pressure in the fuel tank is below the predetermined level is indicated on a fuel cap, by a wheel that turns with change of Pressure, said wheel having a red area indicating low pressure, and a green area indicating normal pressure, with the red or green area being displayed through a window in the fuel cap;
wherein the fuel cap emits a sound indicating when it has been screwed to a correct tightness, when being replaced to cover the fuel tank after refueling;
wherein there is an alarm when the fuel cap has no been screwed to a correct tightness;
wherein inside of a door covering the fuel cap there is a marking indicating the correct position to which the fuel cap should be rotated to close it and seal the fuel tank; and
wherein there is a movable washer in the fuel cap that can seal the fuel cap when it is loose, said movable washer being activated when a user pushes a button after an indicator shows that the fuel cap is loose after the receiver receives the signal.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pressure indicator for a motor vehicle (or other) fuel tank, that will indicate when pressure at the cap/container interface or vapor pressure in the tank drops below a predetermined level, which will normally mean that the fuel cap is not tightly secured to the tank'"'"'s opening. The cap/container interface or vapor pressure will be detected by sensors in a rubber gasket (either in the cap or in the tank'"'"'s opening that the cap fits over) or in a washer for the fuel cap. When the sensors detect a pressure below the predetermined level, BLUE TOOTH (or other appropriate) technology will be used to send a signal to a receiver (preferably in a key ring attachment) that will cause a red light to flash (or other appropriate visual, audio or tactile notice). The light may also flash when the cap is temporarily removed for refueling.
30 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A pressure indicator for a fuel tank, comprising:
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pressure sensors, processing chips, transmitters, batteries and wires in a component selected from the group comprising gaskets and washers for a cap that closes an opening of a fuel tank; wherein the processing chips cause the transmitters to send a signal to a receiver when the sensors detect that pressure in a fuel tank is below a predetermined level, the batteries supply power to the sensors, the processing chips and the transmitters, and the wires electrically connect the batteries, the sensors, the processing chips, and the transmitters; and when the signal is received by the receiver, whether or not the pressure in the fuel tank is below the predetermined level is indicated on a fuel cap, by a wheel that turns with change of Pressure, said wheel having a red area indicating low pressure, and a green area indicating normal pressure, with the red or green area being displayed through a window in the fuel cap; wherein the fuel cap emits a sound indicating when it has been screwed to a correct tightness, when being replaced to cover the fuel tank after refueling; wherein there is an alarm when the fuel cap has no been screwed to a correct tightness; wherein inside of a door covering the fuel cap there is a marking indicating the correct position to which the fuel cap should be rotated to close it and seal the fuel tank; and wherein there is a movable washer in the fuel cap that can seal the fuel cap when it is loose, said movable washer being activated when a user pushes a button after an indicator shows that the fuel cap is loose after the receiver receives the signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A pressure indicator for a fuel tank, comprising:
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pressure sensors, processing chips, transmitters, batteries and wires in a component selected from the group comprising gaskets and washers for a cap that closes an opening of a fuel tank; wherein the processing chips cause the transmitters to send a signal to a receiver when the sensors detect that pressure in a fuel tank is below a predetermined level, the batteries supply power to the sensors, the processing chips and the transmitters, and the wires electrically connect the batteries, the sensors, the processing chips, and the transmitters; and means for providing a humanly perceivable notice when the signal is received by the receiver; wherein the cap emits a sound indicating when it has been screwed to a correct tightness; and where an alarm is sounded when the cap is not screwed to the correct tightness; wherein there is a movable washer in the fuel cap that can seal the fuel cap when it is loose, said movable washer being activated when a user pushes a button after an indicator shows that the fuel cap is loose after the receiver receives the signal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification