Non-contact Fuel Level Sensor for Automotive Applications Employing a Proprietary Substance and a Linear Potentiometer

摘要

The level sensor described in this document directly provides an accurate electrical output-change to changing level. The sensing component consists of a magnetic O-ring (Figure 2, 4) (attached inside a float) which controls a finely prepared proprietary substance (hereafter be referred to as P.S?) encapsulated inside a tube consisting of a conductive-plastic linear potentiometer. The circular flux field of the O-ring and the P.S interact to attract the P.S outwards to complete the potentiometer track-contact at the specific point at which the O-ring is at, thus providing an electrical output for that position (fuel level). The key features of the design are: 1. The arrangement of the components such that only the float, steel tube and a casing are in contact with the fuel. All the other components are sealed and isolated. The level-sensing is done without the use of any moving mechanical contact which has a frictional component to it. 2. The specially developed P.S which does not wear the printed element surface over a long period of time. 3. Using the P.S along with the linear potentiometer to produce a contactless output. 4. Low-hysteresis output