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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Fuel level detector for automobile fuel tank

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6955848

A fuel level detector is described for an automobile fuel tank comprising a struct vertically provided with the fuel tank, a float slidably fitted around the strut and having a permanent magnet therein, magnetic induction type reed switches disposed along the strut and inclined relative thereto. The distance between the adjacent switches are such that the permanent magnet of the float always actuates two adjacent reed switches simultaneously. Resistances each respectively are connected to the reed switches for changing current value according to the reed switches which are actuated. A residual quantity warning means comprises a light emitting body connected between a ground and a predetermined reed switch and the respective resistance among the plurality of reed switches for changing the brightness thereof as the float falls below the predetermined reed switch. A distance retention mechanism keeps constant a distance between the predetermined reed switch and the bottom surface of the fuel tank. The mechanism comprises a guide mounted to a base member for vertically guiding the strut and a spring mounted between the base member and the strut for urging the strut towards the bottom surface of the fuel tank.

Assignee:
Tsuchiya Co., Ltd., Nagoya
Patent Number(s):
US 4627283
OSTI ID:
6955848
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English