Fill-level indicator for a liquefied-petroleum-gas tank
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
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국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
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출원번호 |
US-0888038
(2001-06-22)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Allegre, Xavier
- Bouvier, Danier
- Spiesser, Gilbert
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출원인 / 주소 |
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대리인 / 주소 |
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
4 인용 특허 :
8 |
초록
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Fill-level indicating device includes an array of optical detectors attached to a mount, vertically spaced apart relative to one another and distributed within the tank over the height of the latter, with each detector including a light source and a receiver, and means for feeding electric power to
Fill-level indicating device includes an array of optical detectors attached to a mount, vertically spaced apart relative to one another and distributed within the tank over the height of the latter, with each detector including a light source and a receiver, and means for feeding electric power to the light sources of the various detectors, for processing the signals arriving at the various receivers and for transmitting these to a liquefied-gas fill-level display gauge. The mount and the detectors on it are encapsulated in a synthetic resin that is highly transparent to the light beam emitted by the light sources and the surface of the resin facing the detectors is such that the beam emitted by the corresponding light source is reflected toward the associated receiver.
대표청구항
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1. Fill-level indicator for use in a liquefied petroleum gas tank, comprising: an array of optical detectors attached to a mount, vertically spaced apart from one another and distributed inside the tank over a height of the tank, each detector including a light source and a receiver, and means f
1. Fill-level indicator for use in a liquefied petroleum gas tank, comprising: an array of optical detectors attached to a mount, vertically spaced apart from one another and distributed inside the tank over a height of the tank, each detector including a light source and a receiver, and means for feeding power to the light sources of the various detectors, for processing signals arriving at the various receivers and for transmitting signals to a gauge displaying a fill-level of the liquefied gas, wherein the mount and the detectors placed thereon are positioned in a casing which is highly transparent to light beams emitted by the light sources and wherein a synthetic resin which is highly transparent to the light beams emitted by the light sources is disposed between one surface of the casing and the detectors for encapsulating the mount and the detectors such that a surface of the resin facing the detectors reflects a light beam emitted by the corresponding light source toward the associated receiver, and wherein the casing comprises a material having a refractive index very close to that of the resin. 2. Fill-level indicator as in claim 1, wherein when used in an automobile tank, the means for feeding power and for processing the signals is connected at one end to a distribution panel for feeding electric current to an engine of a vehicle and at the other end to a solenoid valve mounted on a filler unit of the tank, for permitting the opening of the solenoid valve only when the engine is stopped and the fill level is below a specific point, and wherein about 80% of a maximum capacity of the tank is represented by the detector in an uppermost position. 3. Fill-level indicator as in claim 1, wherein the resin is an epoxy resin. 4. Fill-level indicator as in claim 1, wherein the casing comprises polycarbonate. 5. Fill-level indicator as in claim 1, wherein the casing is in the form of a U-shaped profile, legs of the U each including on an inside thereof a longitudinal groove, whereby the grooves accept the mount with the detectors such that the mount extends parallel to a base of the casing. 6. Fill-level indicator as in claim 1, wherein the mount, the resin and the casing are flush-mounted in a retaining head designed to be attached to the tank. 7. Fill-level indicator as in claim 6, wherein the retaining head is a metal head equipped with an annular flange and attached to the tank. 8. Fill-level indicator as in claim 6, wherein an insulated wire conduit is installed in the retaining head. 9. Fill-level indicator as in claim 1, wherein the mount comprises a printed circuit board. 10. Fill-level indicator as in claim 1, wherein the means for feeding power to the light sources and for processing the signals include a microprocessor or a microcontroller. 11. Fill-level indicator as in claim 1, wherein the means for feeding power and for processing the signals performs a smoothing of a shift value of the gauge between measurements of two neighboring detectors by simulating intermediate measurements between two actual measuring points, interpolating a mean gas consumption during an average time period. 12. Fill-level indicator as in claims 1, wherein the means for feeding power and for processing the signals includes a filtering of the change of state of the detectors by integration of a time lag during which no detection variation is to be registered. 13. Fill-level indicator as in claim 1, wherein the means for feeding power and for processing the signals performs a detector test function within a specific periodic cycle. 14. Fill-level indicator as in claim 13, wherein in the event of a failure of a maximum-fill-level detector functions of the maximum fill-level detector are automatically transferred to a next lower detector, or filling of the tank is rendered impossible by keeping a solenoid valve closed.
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (8)
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Kuno Akira (Nagoya JA) Shinoda Yoshio (Okazaki JA) Arai Hiroshi (Toyota JA), Average fuel consumption rate measuring system.
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Nemeth Frank A. (Harwinton CT) Dockendorff James B. (North Haven CT), Combined optical waveguide and prismatic liquid-level sensor.
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Carvalko ; Joseph R. ; Tolmie ; Jr. ; Robert J., Developer solution level detector.
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Tsaprazis Edward (Havertown PA), Dual optical level monitor.
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Hastbacka Albin A. (3 Singlefoot Road Chelmsford MA 01824), Electro-optical liquid level indicator.
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Nixon John (11795 E. Grand River Brighton MI 48116), Engine efficiency unit.
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Tauber Thomas E. (Upper Darby PA) Magee James (Palmyra NJ), Optical fluid level monitor.
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Susumu Yoshida JP, Vehicle liquid level gauge.
이 특허를 인용한 특허 (4)
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Chajec,Zdzislaw, Apparatus and method for determining a fluid level within an enclosed container.
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Radatti, Giuseppe; Zimmermann, Martin, Cover for a duct sensor.
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Devall, Jeffrey E., Electronic fuel tank fill limit control.
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Baron, Joseph; Abbe, David C., Gauge and method for indicating a level of a liquid in a tank.
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