Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
073317000 | Pivoted float arm | 39 |
20080202231 | Sender Unit for Sensing the Level of Remaining Fuel in a Fuel Tank Utilizing a Non-Contacting Sensor - The present invention relates to a sender unit for sensing the level of remaining fuel in a fuel tank utilizing a non-contacting sensor. The sender unit for sensing the level of remaining fuel in a fuel tank of a vehicle is fixed in the fuel tank to sense the level of the remaining fuel by detecting the position of a float that floats depending on the level of the liquid surface of the fuel. The sender unit includes a casing; a disk-shaped rotor yoke pivotably received in the casing; a ring-shaped magnet fixed to a lower portion of the rotor yoke; a stator yoke that is a magnetic body including a plurality of horizontal arms spaced apart from a lower surface of the magnet so as to form a closed magnetic circuit together with the magnet; a magnetic sensing element fixed within a gap formed in the stator yoke; a plate which is fixedly received in the casing and to which the stator yoke is fixed; and a rod having one side end connected to the float and the other side end penetrating through the casing and fixed to the rotor yoke. According to the present invention, it is possible to accurately sense the level of fuel remaining in a fuel tank in a non-contacting manner, thereby improving the durability of the device. | 08-28-2008 |
20080245146 | Sealed fuel level detector - A fuel level detector has a float connected to an arm that rotates a pivot pin. The pivot pin rotates in a hole in the wall of the detector, and the hole is sealed by a sleeve. One end of the sleeve is sealed to the housing of the detector surrounding the hole, and the opposite end of the sleeve is sealed around the outer surface of the pin. | 10-09-2008 |
20080289414 | LIQUID LEVEL DETECTION APPARATUS - A liquid level detection apparatus includes a resistance plate which has a conducting pattern formed on a board, the conducting pattern including a first slide portion, a second slide portion, a plus electrode electrically connected to the first slide portion, and a minus electrode electrically connected to the second slide portion, a float which moves in accordance with a change of a liquid level, a float arm connected to the float, a sliding arm which slides over the resistance plate in accordance with a pivotal movement of the float arm, a plus connection terminal connected to the plus electrode, a minus connection terminal connected to the minus electrode, and a protective layer formed on the plus connection terminal so as to cover the plus connection terminal. | 11-27-2008 |
20090000375 | MULTI-SLOPE VARIABLE RESISTANCE FUEL SENDER UNIT - A fuel sender unit is provided for deployment on a vehicle having a fuel tank. The fuel sender unit includes a float arm configured to move in relation to the volume of fuel held within the fuel tank. A fuel level sensor is coupled to the float arm. The fuel level sensor produces a resistance that varies with the position of the float arm to thereby produce a multi-slope sender profile including at least first, second, and third successive profile segments. The first profile segment has an average slope that is greater than that of the second profile segment, and the second profile segment has an average slope that is greater than that of the third profile segment. | 01-01-2009 |
20090000376 | LIQUID LEVEL DETECTING APPARATUS - A liquid level detecting apparatus includes a resistance plate which includes an insulating plate and a resistor mounted on the insulating plate, the resistor having a plurality of conductive segments, and a sliding body which has a contact for contacting on the conductive segments, and the contact sliding over the conductive segments in accordance with a change of a liquid level of a liquid. At least a surface of a constituent member of the sliding body except for the contact is comprised of a material having a corrosion resistance to the liquid. | 01-01-2009 |
20090064777 | Apparatus for measuring and/or controlling liquid levels - An apparatus for measuring and/or controlling the level of a liquid, specially fuel, contained in a reservoir. The apparatus comprises means supporting a pivot member inside the reservoir, the pivot member comprising a stationary body fixed relatively to the supporting means and a rotary body connected to a lever, the free end of which carries a float. The rotary body includes a permanent magnet and the stationary member houses a magnetic sensor located within the magnetic field of the permanent magnet. Angular movement of the lever produces rotation of the magnet and is detected by the magnetic sensor which emits signals to a micro processor which, in turn, transmits such signals to external processing means. The processing means correlate such signals, which are proportional to variations in the liquid level, to the volume of liquid contained in the reservoir. | 03-12-2009 |
20090266157 | LIQUID-LEVEL DETECTING APPARATUS - A liquid-level detecting apparatus is provided. The liquid-level detecting apparatus includes a resistance plate with an insulating substrate; conductive segments on the insulating substrate at substantially equal intervals; a resistor mounted on the conductive segments and through which the conductive segments are connected to each other; an conductive sliding arm including a contact part for selectively coming into sliding contact with a portion of the conductive segments; a conducting pattern which is formed between one or more pairs of two adjacent conductive segments to short-circuit the two adjacent conductive segments; and a measuring device which is connected to one of the conductive segments and measures a value based on a portion of the resistor connected between a first segment of the conductive segments contacted by the contact part and the one of the conductive segments connected to the measuring device, thereby detecting a level of the liquid surface. | 10-29-2009 |
20100043544 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MONITORING A GAS VOLUME IN A UNIT FILLED WITH LIQUID - A device for monitoring a gas volume in a unit filled with a liquid, where the unit has an inlet line with at least one expansion chamber, and the device includes one or more buoyant bodies floating in the liquid. The floating buoyant body is connected to a shaft, fixed in the expansion chamber and mounted pivotally relative to the shaft. The gas volume above the liquid may be recorded rapidly and with high accuracy, by measuring the torque generated by the buoyant body, or an angle to the horizontal. There is also disclosed a method for monitoring a gas volume in a unit filled with liquid, by way of a floating buoyant body. | 02-25-2010 |
20100199759 | Fluid Level Sensor and a Method Thereof - The present invention relates to a fluid level sensor comprising, housing having a snap fit onto which a thick film resistor card is fixed, a shaft with one side of the shaft passing through a wiper arm, at least one washer and a spring to mate with the housing, a housing cover to cover the housing wherein other side of the shaft mates with the cover, and a float arm fixed to the shaft which moves the wiper arm when the fluid level varies, wherein the wiper arm makes contact with the thick film resistor card to indicate the fluid level. The invention further provides a method to detect fluid level. In addition, the invention also provides a method of assembling a fluid level sensor to increase the stability, uniformity, accuracy and repeatability of the sensor over its life. | 08-12-2010 |
20100223993 | FLUID LEVEL DETECTION DEVICE - A fluid level detection device includes a float floating in a bio fuel, a float arm, and a sensor for detecting a rotating amount of the float arm. The sensor has a circuit board and a sliding contact having a contact portion. The float arm is made of a stainless steel based material. The contact portion of the sliding contact and a metallic piece extended from the contact portion are made of nickel silver, and a Ni plating layer is applied to a surface of the nickel silver. A current of 10 ms to 15 ms per cycle is supplied to the resistor and the contact portion. | 09-09-2010 |
20100281973 | FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR FOR RIDING LAWN EQUIPMENT - A fuel level indicator for riding lawn equipment with a fuel tank pivotably mounted under the operator seat. A fuel level indicator arm is pivotably mounted under the fuel tank and has a first end contacting the fuel tank and a second end extending through an opening in front of the operator seat. A scale on the opening indicates the fuel level corresponding to the location of the second end of the fuel level indicator arm. A pair of tension springs are attached to the fuel tank and partially support the fuel tank. | 11-11-2010 |
20100294037 | GAUGE ASSEMBLY AND METHODS OF USING SAME - A gauge assembly measuring an amount of a liquid, for use with a float arm assembly including a float arm pivoting in response to a change in the level of liquid, and a flange housing a first magnet and coupled to the float arm where the movement of the float arm causes a displacement of the first magnet. The gauge assembly includes a support adapted to be attached to the flange, which includes a second magnet, spaced in relationship to the first magnet and having a different strength than the first magnet, and an electronic circuit positioned proximate to the first and second magnets to provide a signal representative of the position of the second magnet wherein the second magnet is displaced by the first magnet in response to the level of liquid. The gauge assembly includes a display associated with the second magnet for showing the level of liquid. | 11-25-2010 |
20110016970 | LIQUID LEVEL DETECTING DEVICE - Provided is a liquid level detecting device having a small holder fixing structure. A liquid level detecting device (F) is provided with a float arm ( | 01-27-2011 |
20120000282 | LIQUID LEVEL DETECTING APPARATUS - The change in a contact over time is stabilized by lowering intense wear of the contact in the initial sliding stage and imparting stabilized wear characteristics from the initial sliding stage. The contacts ( | 01-05-2012 |
20120011931 | LIQUID LEVEL DETECTION DEVICE - A liquid level detection device which protects at least a detection element, uses a less number of parts, can be easily assembled, and has reduced cost. A liquid level detection device ( | 01-19-2012 |
20120103090 | Liquid Level Detector - A liquid level detector is provided. A resistance plate has a plurality of conductive segments. A float vertically moves according to change of a liquid level to be measured. A float arm has one end attached to the float and the other end rotatably supported to rotate according to the vertical movement of the float. Contact points slide on the conductive segments with the rotation of the float arm according to the liquid level. The conductive segments are formed of a glass-sintered metallic body made of glass and gold alloy material containing a gold (Au) content equal to or greater than 18% by mass and less than 40% by mass. The contact points are formed of a gold alloy material containing a gold (Au) content equal to or greater than 32.5% by mass and less than 77% by mass. | 05-03-2012 |
20120111108 | LIQUID LEVEL DETECTING DEVICE - One end of a float arm is connected to a float and the other end thereof is rotatably supported by a housing made of insulating resin material. An electrically conductive portion, which is for example made of conducting resin material, is integrally formed with the housing and electrically connecting the other end of the float arm to a ground terminal which is fixed to the housing. A detecting circuit is accommodated in the housing. Electric charge generated at the float due to friction between the float and fuel is grounded to the earth via the float arm, the electrically conductive portion and the ground terminal, so that an adverse effect of the electric charge to the detecting circuit can be avoided. | 05-10-2012 |
20120186340 | LIQUID LEVEL DETECTING APPARATUS - A liquid level detecting apparatus is provided. A resistance plate has a plurality of elongated conductive segments arranged therein. A float is configured to be moved upward and downward depending on a displacement of a liquid level to be measured. A floating arm has one end attached to the float and the other end rotatably supported to be rotated in response to upward and downward movements of the float. A contact is configured to be slid on the plurality of conductive segments in association with a rotation of the float arm depending on the liquid level. The plurality of conductive segments comprise a plurality of first segments made of a first metal material containing at least silver (Ag) and palladium (Pd), and a plurality of second segments made of a second metal material essentially containing gold (Au). | 07-26-2012 |
20120186341 | LIQUID LEVEL DETECTING DEVICE - A liquid level detecting device includes a resistor plate having conductive segments, a float that vertically moves in accordance with a displacement of a liquid level, a float arm that has one end to which the float is attached and the other end which is rotatably supported so as to be rotated in association with a vertical movement of the float, and a contact point that slides on the conductive segments in association with a rotation of the float arm. Each of the conductive segments is formed of a first metallic material and a second metallic material. The first metallic material has silver (Ag) and palladium (Pd) and the second metallic material has gold (Au) as a main component. A part which is to be brought into contact with the contact point in each of the conductive segments is formed of the second metallic material. | 07-26-2012 |
20120210782 | LIQUID LEVEL SENSOR - A liquid level sensor for use with a container, including a housing with a body defining an interior volume, a switch actuated by an applied magnetic flux field to a closed position, the switch being disposed within the interior volume of the housing, and a float including a body, a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A pivot assembly includes a magnet and couples the housing and the first end of the float such that the float is pivotable about the pivot assembly between a first position and a second position, and a shunt is disposed within the first end of the float body. The shunt is disposed between the magnet and the switch in the first position of the float, thereby shielding the switch from the magnetic flux of the magnet such that the switch is in the open position. | 08-23-2012 |
20120260730 | Liquid Level Sender with Adjustable Counterweight - A liquid level sending unit for indicating liquid level within a container includes a mounting base adapted for mounting on a wall of a container, a support member extending from the mounting base, a float arm pivotally mounted to the support member about a pivot axis, a float connected to the float arm on one side of the pivot axis, a first counterweight located on one side of the pivot axis, and a second adjustable counterweight located on an opposite side of the pivot axis. The second counterweight is adjusted along a length of the float arm until a predetermined buoyancy weight of the float is achieved for a particular liquid to be measured. | 10-18-2012 |
20130180329 | Liquid Level Transducer with Isolated Sensors - A transducer for determining the level of liquid within a container includes a mounting head adapted for connection to the container and a sensor assembly adapted to extend into the container. A housing of the sensor assembly has a hollow interior that is isolated from liquid within the container. A plurality of sensor elements are located within the interior. A float rod is pivotally connected to the housing and a float is connected to a distal end of the float rod. An actuator located outside the housing is operatively associated with the float rod for pivotal movement therewith. The actuator is operative to change an electrical state of at least one of the sensor elements to thereby indicate a level condition of the liquid within the container. A snap-fit assembly of the mounting head and sensor assembly is also disclosed. | 07-18-2013 |
20140260603 | FLOAT GAUGE ASSEMBLY FOR STORAGE TANKS - A float gauge assembly for a storage tank having a port with an opening includes a body for attachment to the port of the storage tank and a gauge mountable to the body, the gauge having a gauge face for indicating a level or amount of material present in the storage tank, a float mechanism mounted to the body and cooperating with the gauge, the float mechanism including a float movable relative to the body in an operating position, the float being sized so that the float is unable to be inserted into the storage tank though the opening in the port, and a tube coupled to the float and having a dimension sized for inserting through the opening in the port, and an alignment element configured to rotationally fix the tube to the body when the float is in the operating position so that the gauge face accurately indicates the level of material in the storage tank when mounted to the body. | 09-18-2014 |
20150300868 | APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR FUEL LEVEL SENSING - Apparatuses and methods for fuel level sensing use a rotatable housing, an interior arm suspended on an axle within the housing, a counterweight joined to one end of the interior arm and a position sensor with first and second sensor elements. The sensor elements are arranged within the housing with one of the sensor elements is joined to an interior wall of the housing and the other joined to the interior arm such that the sensor elements are rotatable relative to one another. An exterior arm joined to an exterior of the housing is adapted to accommodate a float. The exterior arm slaves the rotatable housing in rotation about a rotational axis, and relative rotation of the first and second sensor elements may cause a change in a sensor output of the position sensor. | 10-22-2015 |
20150300869 | APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR FUEL LEVEL SENSING - Apparatuses and methods for fuel level sensing use a rotatable housing configured to rotate about an axis based on a fuel level. Within the rotatable housing is a roller ball sensor assembly including a resistive trace having a plurality of portions, a conductive trace and a conductive element. The roller ball sensor assembly is configured to provide a resistance indicative of a rotation of the rotatable housing about the axis by using the conductive element to electrically couple a portion of the plurality of portions corresponding to the resistance to the conductive trace. | 10-22-2015 |
20150308880 | LIQUID LEVEL DETECTOR - A liquid level detector may include a float; an arm attached to the float and configured to convert a linear motion of the float in an up-and-down direction to a rotary motion; a sensor configured to detect the rotary motion; and a supporting member supporting the arm to be rotatable relative to the sensor. The supporting member may include: a body fixed to the sensor; a holder rotatably attached to the body; and a cover arranged on an opposite side from the body with the holder intervened in between, and covering the holder from the opposite side. The arm may be supported by the supporting member between the holder and the cover. | 10-29-2015 |
20150308881 | LIQUID LEVEL DETECTOR - A liquid level detector may comprise an arm attached to a float, a holder fixed to the arm, and a body rotatably supporting the holder. The body may comprise a first rotation regulator and a second rotation regulator. The first rotation regulator may regulate a rotation angle range of the arm to a first range. The second rotation regulator may regulate the rotation angle range of the arm to a second range. The first range and the second range may not overlap each other in a rotation direction of the arm. Each of the plurality of rotation regulators may comprise a pair of stoppers disposed separately from each other in the rotation direction of the arm. At least a part of area between the pair of stoppers of the each of the plurality of rotation regulators may be open to outside of the body. | 10-29-2015 |
20150330827 | LEVEL SENSOR ASSEMBLY - A level sensor assembly is provided. The level sensor assembly includes a first housing and a second housing. The first and second housings are coupled to define an internal chamber therewithin. The level sensor assembly includes an arm carrier assembly coupled to a first surface of the first housing. The level sensor assembly further includes a contact carrier assembly having a main body unit extending vertically within the internal chamber. The level sensor assembly includes a coupling mechanism provided at an interface of the arm carrier assembly and the contact carrier assembly. The contact carrier assembly also includes a resistor card element coupled to the second housing. | 11-19-2015 |
20150338263 | LIQUID LEVEL DETECTION DEVICE - Provided is a liquid level detection device which is configured so that an arm can be easily mounted to a holder after the holder is pivotably mounted using a cover and a main body portion. An end of a float arm is bent at a substantially right angle, and the end side of the float arm is defined as a first end portion. The portion of the float arm which is located closer to the center of the float arm than the first end portion is defined as a second end portion. A first arm mounting portion to which the first end portion is affixed and second arm mounting portions to which the second end portion is affixed are provided to a holder. A stopper for restricting the pivot range of the holder is provided to a main body portion. A first stopper which comes into contact with the stopper is provided to the holder. The first arm mounting portion and the first stopper are provided on a line passing through the pivot axis of the holder and perpendicular to the pivot axis. | 11-26-2015 |
20150355013 | LIQUID-SURFACE DETECTION DEVICE - Provided is a liquid-surface detection device in which a holder is securely and rotatably supported on a frame. A liquid-surface detection device provided with a holder for rotating a circuit board in conjunction with movement of a float which operates so as to follow a liquid surface, a terminal having an elastic piece provided with a junction for contacting an electrode part of the circuit board, and a frame for housing a portion of the terminal, wherein a bearing part is provided for rotatably supporting an end part of a front arm retained by the holder on an external peripheral portion of the frame, the holder is provided with a retaining part having an upper piece and a lower piece between which the bearing part is disposed, and the frame is provided with a first guide part in which the lower piece of the retaining part of the holder can move in the direction of a rotational axis of the holder, and a second guide part in which the lower piece of the retaining part can move in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the rotational axis of the holder. | 12-10-2015 |
20150377685 | DISPLACEMENT LEVEL SENSOR AND SEAL AND PIVOT ASSEMBLY FOR DISPLACEMENT LEVEL SENSOR - A seal and pivot assembly for a displacement level assembly includes a pivot base, an annular seal and a pivot body. The pivot base includes a cylindrical base member with an axial end surface defining first and second V-shaped grooves. The pivot body includes a cylindrical body member with first and second pivot body arms extending radially outward from opposite sides of the cylindrical body member. The first and second pivot body arms include first and second knife edges, respectively, that are in line contact with the first and second grooves, respectively, of the pivot base such that the pivot body can pivot relative to the pivot base, as well as uniformly distribute unbalanced forces applied to the pivot body across the entirety of the knife edges. | 12-31-2015 |
20160047686 | LIQUID-LEVEL DETECTION DEVICE - A liquid-level detection device detects a level of a surface of liquid stored in a container. The liquid-level detection device includes: a float that floats on the surface of liquid; a rotatable body that rotates due to a upward or downward displacement of the float and includes a rotation contact part; a supporting body that rotatably supports the rotatable body and includes a supporting contact part which is located on a rotational track of the rotation contact part to restrict the rotation of the rotatable body in a specified direction by contact between the supporting contact part and the rotation contact part; and an attachment member that is attached to the supporting body and includes an attachment contact part which makes contact with the rotatable body rotating in the specified direction to prevent the contact of the rotation contact part with the supporting contact part. | 02-18-2016 |
20160123788 | Liquid Level Transducer with Pivoting and Linear Motion - A liquid level transducer includes a mounting head for connection to the wall of a tank and a housing extending into the tank from the mounting head. A float rod is pivotally connected to the housing and a float is connected to the float rod for pivotal movement upon a change of liquid level in the tank. A proximal end of the float rod is connected to an actuator portion and constrained for pivotal movement about two parallel axes so that the actuator portion moves in a linear direction with respect to the housing. The interior of the housing includes a sensor assembly responsive to the linear movement of the actuator portion to thereby determine the level of liquid within the tank. | 05-05-2016 |
20160123789 | LIQUID LEVEL SENSOR SYSTEM - A liquid level sensor system is disclosed for remotely monitoring the liquid level in a tank. The system comprises a first fixed portion with a first liquid level response unit, and a second fixed portion with a second liquid level response unit. A guide tube is inserted into the tank and attached to the bottom of the first fixed portion. The guide tube is provided with a multitude of ports, such that the liquid level in the guide tube is flush with the liquid level in the tank. The first liquid level response unit comprises a float floating up and down with the variation of the liquid level in the guide tube, a rotating shaft rotating around a relatively fixed axis of rotation in the up and down floating process of the float, and a permanent magnet. The second fixed portion is attached to the top of the first fixed portion. The second liquid level response unit comprises a PCB, a magnetoresistive angle sensor chip, and a control circuit electrically connected to the magnetoresistive angle sensor chip. The magnetoresistive angle sensor chip outputs an analog voltage signal to the control circuit according to the rotation angle of the permanent magnet, and the control circuit calculates the height of the liquid level according to the analog voltage signal. | 05-05-2016 |
20160131515 | LIQUID-LEVEL DETECTION DEVICE - A liquid-level detection device for detecting a level of a liquid surface of liquid stored in a container, includes a rotatable body that rotates in accordance with the liquid surface, a fixation body having a main body part fixed to the container and a supporting part projecting from the main body part in an axial direction along a rotation axis of the rotatable body to rotatably support the rotatable body, a pair of magnet parts held by the rotatable body at arrangement positions with the rotation axis therebetween to generate a magnetic flux passing through the supporting part, and a detecting part having an element part disposed inside the supporting part to output a detection result according to a density of a magnetic flux passing through the element part. The rotatable body includes an exposed surface that is located outward of the supporting part and the pair of magnet parts in the axial direction and that is exposed into the container. An erected wall rising up from the exposed surface outward in the axial direction is provided between two projection regions which are obtained by projecting the pair of magnet parts onto the exposed surface outward in the axial direction. | 05-12-2016 |
20160138959 | CONSERVATOR - The conservator is provided with a housing that houses an insulation oil, a rubber bag that inflates or deflates inside the housing so as to contact an oil surface of the insulation oil, and an oil level gauge that detects the oil level of the insulation oil housed inside the housing. The oil level gauge includes a float member, an arm connected to one end of the float member, and a dial display unit that displays an oil level in response to an angle of the arm. The float member is swingably connected to the arm, extending away from the arm along the lower surface of the rubber bag. The length of the float member in the extending direction thereof is larger than the maximum thickness of the float member. | 05-19-2016 |
20160153823 | LIQUID-LEVEL DETECTION DEVICE | 06-02-2016 |
20160161321 | LIQUID SURFACE SENSING DEVICE - A liquid surface sensing device includes a rotational body that is made of resin and rotates according to upward and downward motion of a surface of liquid in a container, a magnet that is held by the rotational body to rotate together with the rotational body, a stationary body that is fixed to the container and rotatably bears the rotational body, and a magnetoelectric conversion element that is embedded in the stationary body and detects a magnetic field generated by the magnet to output an electric signal indicating the liquid surface. The rotational body includes a storage space that accommodates the magnet, a resilient claw that projects into the storage space and is in contact with the magnet in its resiliently deformed state to press the magnet on a storage wall for the storage space, and a projection that projects from an opposite side of the magnet toward the resilient claw in the storage space and expands to be in contact with the resilient claw. | 06-09-2016 |
073318000 | With flexible cable transmission | 1 |
20130276534 | Fully adjustable liquid tank float - A fully adjustable liquid tank float incorporates a float for use for gauging the amount of fuel or other liquid contained within a storage tank, the float being connectable to an adjustable lateral arm, which pivotally connects to a vertical structure, which secures to an adaptor that is mounted onto the top of the storage tank. The adaptor connects a transparent housing, which discloses an indicator of the amount of fuel remaining in the tank. The vertical structure is likewise adjustable in length. A flexible linkage connects with the indicator, and is adjustably secured with the lateral arm, to provide for a precise indication as to when the tank is full, partially full, or approaching empty. | 10-24-2013 |