U.S. patent application number 10/915879 was filed with the patent office on 2006-02-16 for spontaneous full fuel tank indicator.
Invention is credited to Marc A. Rossi.
Application Number | 20060032547 10/915879 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35798860 |
Filed Date | 2006-02-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060032547 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rossi; Marc A. |
February 16, 2006 |
SPONTANEOUS FULL FUEL TANK INDICATOR
Abstract
A spontaneous full fuel tank indicator is disclosed that allows
an operator stationed at the fuel fill aperture of a motor vehicle
to know when the fuel tank is completely filled. The indicator may
be a visual display or an audible alert. The indicator may also be
the CPU operation of a vehicle member such as the honking of the
horn, flashing of the lights, or operation of the vehicle sound
system. Alternatively, the indicator may be a visual, audible or
vibratory alert at a key fob. The full fuel tank indicator operates
in real-time without requiring a key in the ignition switch. A
converter kit is also disclosed by which an existing vehicle may be
equipped with a spontaneous full fuel tank indicator.
Inventors: |
Rossi; Marc A.; (West Palm
Beach, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROSSI, KIMMS & McDOWELL LLP.
P.O. BOX 826
ASHBURN
VA
20146-0826
US
|
Family ID: |
35798860 |
Appl. No.: |
10/915879 |
Filed: |
August 11, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
141/94 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60K 15/04 20130101;
G01F 23/0069 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
141/094 |
International
Class: |
B65B 31/00 20060101
B65B031/00 |
Claims
1. A spontaneous full fuel tank indicator for a motor vehicle
comprising: a fuel level sensor that produces an electrical fuel
level signal indicative of a fuel level of the fuel tank; and a
first fuel level indicator and a second fuel level indicator each
responsive to the electrical fuel level signal generated by the
fuel level sensor to indicate the fuel level of the fuel tank;
wherein the first fuel level indicator is positioned proximate to a
fuel fill aperture of the vehicle so as to be visually or audibly
discernible to an operator positioned at the fuel fill aperture,
and wherein the second fuel level indicator is located on a
dashboard display panel of the vehicle.
2. A spontaneous full fuel tank indicator as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the first fuel level indicator is activated when a fuel
filler door of the vehicle is opened.
3. A spontaneous full fuel tank indicator as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the first fuel level indicator is a visual indicator.
4. A spontaneous full fuel tank indicator as claimed in claim 3,
wherein the first fuel level indicator is a liquid crystal
display.
5. A spontaneous full fuel tank indicator as claimed in claim 3,
wherein the first fuel level indicator is a gauge.
6. A spontaneous full fuel tank indicator as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the first fuel level indicator generates an audible
signal.
7. (canceled)
8. A spontaneous full fuel tank indicator as claimed in claim 1,
further comprising a controller coupled with the fuel level sensor
and the first fuel level indicator, wherein the controller controls
the operation of the first fuel level indicator based on the fuel
level signal generated by said fuel level sensor.
9. A spontaneous full fuel tank indicator as claimed in claim 8,
wherein the controller is a CPU of the motor vehicle.
10. A spontaneous full fuel tank indicator as claimed in claim 9,
wherein the fuel level indicator comprises a vehicle member.
11. A spontaneous full fuel tank indicator as claimed in claim 10,
wherein the vehicle member comprises a vehicle light.
12. A spontaneous full fuel tank indicator for a motor vehicle
comprising: a fuel level sensor; a fuel level indicator responsive
to a fuel level signal generated by the fuel level sensor to
indicate a fuel level of the fuel tank, said fuel level indicator
comprising a vehicle member; and a controller coupled with the fuel
level sensor and the fuel level indicator that controls the
operation of the fuel level indicator based on the fuel level
signal generated by said fuel level sensor; wherein the fuel level
indicator is positioned such that an operator located at a fuel
fill aperture of the vehicle can ascertain the fuel level indicated
by the fuel level indicator; and wherein the vehicle member
comprises a vehicle horn.
13. A spontaneous full fuel tank indicator for a motor vehicle
comprising: a fuel level sensor; a fuel level indicator responsive
to a fuel level signal generated by the fuel level sensor to
indicate a fuel level of the fuel tank, said fuel level indicator
comprising a vehicle member; and a controller coupled with the fuel
level sensor and the fuel level indicator that controls the
operation of the fuel level indicator based on the fuel level
signal generated by said fuel level sensor; wherein the fuel level
indicator is positioned such that an operator located at a fuel
fill aperture of the vehicle can ascertain the fuel level indicated
by the fuel level indicator; and wherein the vehicle member
comprises a vehicle sound system.
14. A spontaneous full fuel tank indicator for a motor vehicle
comprising: a fuel level sensor; a fuel level indicator responsive
to a fuel level signal generated by the fuel level sensor to
indicate a fuel level of the fuel tank; and a controller coupled
with the fuel level sensor and the fuel level indicator that
controls the operation of the fuel level indicator based on the
fuel level signal generated by said fuel level sensor. wherein the
fuel level indicator is portable and can be carried away from the
vehicle by a vehicle operator to a position remote from the motor
vehicle.
15. A spontaneous full fuel tank indicator as claimed in claim 14,
wherein the fuel level indicator generates a vibration discernable
to the vehicle operator.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates in general to an apparatus for a
motor vehicle for the detection of a full fuel tank. In particular,
the apparatus provides a real time confirmation detectable at the
fuel fill aperture that the fuel tank has been filled to
capacity.
[0002] Gasoline powered motor vehicles require the periodic
addition of fuel to the fuel tank. When adding gasoline to the
vehicle, it is common practice to attempt to fill the fuel tank to
its capacity so as to maximize the driving distance that can be
achieved before the fuel tank is depleted again. In most instances,
an operator adds fuel by one of two methods: (1) standing at the
vehicle fuel fill aperture to the fill pipe while manually
depressing the trigger of a fuel pump nozzle that has been inserted
into the fill pipe so as to allow fuel to flow into the gas tank,
or (2) initially inserting the fuel pump nozzle into the fuel fill
area, depressing the nozzle trigger, and then using a trigger prop
located near the nozzle trigger to place and maintain the trigger
in a position so as to allow fuel to flow into the vehicle.
Regardless of the method used, in most instances, the fuel pump is
automatically shut off at a certain point, indicating to the
operator that the pump nozzle should be removed from the fuel fill
aperture of the tank and the sale completed.
[0003] Although it is advantageous for the fuel pump to stop
automatically so as to prevent spillover from the tank, in many
cases the operator returns to the driver's seat and starts the
vehicle only to observe from a dashboard display that the tank was
not completely filled. At that point, after the sale has been
completed, most operators consider it too troublesome to get back
out of the car to initiate another sale for a relatively small
amount of fuel in order to completely fill the tank. Instead, the
operator is resigned to his or her fate of driving away from a fuel
station without the desired full tank of gasoline. Without an
indicator that is both noticeable to the operator positioned near
the fuel fill aperture of the vehicle, and functional while the
vehicle ignition is turned off, the operator cannot be certain that
the fuel tank has been filled to its maximum capacity. Furthermore,
if the operator yields to the temptation to top off the tank after
the automatic shut-off, there remains the uncertainty as to how
much additional fuel should be pumped: too little and the tank
remains underutilized, too much and the operator risks exposure to
the fuel overspill splash.
[0004] A display positioned at the fuel fill aperture was disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,697 issued to McDougal on Apr. 18, 1989.
McDougal teaches a fuel octane optimization system in which the
driver is apprised of the octane requirements for the vehicle by a
display. One suggested location for the display is at the fuel fill
aperture. However, the system of McDougal does not provide an
indication of whether the fuel tank has been completely filled.
[0005] A device related to a fluid filling operation was disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,118 issued on Jun. 9, 1998 to Epworth, et
al. for an apparatus and method for the remote control of a filling
function. Epworth teaches an apparatus and method by which a tank
on a mobile vehicle could be filled by remote control. The
apparatus includes a control valve, control assembly, and conduit
by which an operator at a remote position is able to control the
flow of fluid into a reservoir. The apparatus provides a means by
which the operator selects a level of reservoir fullness at which
the fluid flow would be terminated, so as to prevent wasteful
overflow. The Epworth invention does not provide a full tank
confirmation at the fill aperture.
[0006] There is a need for an apparatus that provides a real-time
indication to a motor vehicle operator at the fuel fill aperture
that the fuel tank is actually filled to capacity. Such an
apparatus would indicate to an operator that more fuel may be added
to the tank even though the automatic shut-off of the pump nozzle
has stopped the refilling process. The apparatus would facilitate
achieving the maximum driving distance between refueling stops, and
minimize the operator time spent to engage in the refilling
process.
[0007] There is a need for a real-time full fuel tank indicator
that is functional without requiring the key to be turned in the
ignition so that an operator standing outside the car by the fuel
fill aperture can determine whether the fuel tank has been filled
to its maximum capacity. Returning to the driver's seat to turn the
ignition key while the pump nozzle remains engaged in the fill pipe
is time-consuming as well as potentially hazardous since there is
the risk of unintentionally turning the key to full ignition.
Disengaging the pump nozzle eliminates the risk, but also
terminates the refueling process and sale. If the driver returns to
the driver seat after disengaging the pump nozzle, turns the key,
and then observes that the tank has not been filled, adding more
fuel would require the driver to repeat the entire refueling
process. Despite their disappointment with being unable to obtain a
full tank of gas, most drivers would opt to drive away rather spend
additional frustrating minutes repeating the refueling process.
[0008] There is a need for a full tank indicator that functions in
real time and is observable by an operator at the fuel fill
aperture so that an operator that desires to add additional fuel to
ensure a full tank after the pump is automatically shut off can do
so safely. An operator could slowly add fuel until the indicator
alerts the operator that the fuel tank is indeed full. At this
point the operator could discontinue pumping and avoid overfill
splash and spray. Likewise, an operator with a pump nozzle that
does not have an automatic shut-off would know at what point the
tank has been filled so as to terminate the refilling process
safely.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The invention provides a means by which an operator
positioned at the fuel fill aperture of a motor vehicle is informed
that the fuel tank has been completely filled. The driving distance
that can be realized is maximized by indicating to the operator
whether the tank has actually been filled to capacity when the
automatic shut off by the pump nozzle initially stops the flow of
fuel into the tank. If the tank has not been completely filled, the
operator can safely add additional fuel to the tank so as to
achieve more driving time before another refueling stop is
required.
[0010] This invention further provides an immediate indication of
the fill status of the fuel tank so as to preclude the operator
from having to return to the driver's seat and turn the key in the
ignition switch in order to observe the fuel gauge. Returning to
the driver's seat is time-consuming and potentially hazardous if
the fuel pump nozzle remains engaged in the fill pipe. Avoiding the
risk by returning the nozzle to the pump terminates the refueling
process and requires that the process be repeated if more fuel is
to be added. The present invention eliminates the need for risk
exposure or additional time spent at the filling station in order
to obtain a legitimate full tank.
[0011] This invention further provides a means by which an operator
who is cognizant of the fact that the tank of his vehicle is not
full when the pump is automatically shut off, or an operator at a
pump without an automatic shut-off, can safely continue the
refueling process. This invention indicates to the operator at the
fuel fill aperture the point at which full capacity has been
reached so that the operator is able to discontinue pumping prior
to overfilling the tank.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Embodiments of the present invention will be described, by
way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a spontaneous full fuel
tank indicator in accordance with the invention; and
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of a spontaneous full
fuel tank indicator in accordance with the invention; and
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram of an embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a further embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, there is a fuel tank filler assembly 10
equipped with the present invention. A fuel cap cover door II is in
an open position revealing the presence of a fuel cap 12 and an
indicator 13, located in near proximity to the fuel cap 12 and
protected by the fuel cap cover door 11 when the fuel cap cover
door 11 is in a closed position.
[0018] Operation of the spontaneous full fuel tank indicator occurs
in the following manner. As the vehicle fuel tank is filled., a
liquid level sensor positioned in the fuel tank detects the fluid
level in the fuel reservoir. A liquid level sensor is commonly
present in vehicles to operate the fuel tank gauge located on the
dashboard. A variety of liquid level sensors exist, including float
switches, space electrodes and capacitance type sensors. When the
liquid level sensor detects a fluid level at a maximum position,
the indicator 13, coupled with the liquid level sensor,
contemporaneously conveys the filled status to the vehicle
operator.
[0019] The indicator 13 can be exemplified in the form of a visual
display that appears only when the tank is full. In this
embodiment, the indicator 13 is switched ON when the liquid level
sensor indicates that the maximum fluid level has been attained.
The indicator 13 is then switched OFF when the fluid is no longer
at its maximum level. To improve efficiency, the embodiment may
require that either the fuel cap cover door 11 be open or the fuel
cap 12 be disengaged in order for power to be supplied to the
indicator 13. In an alternative embodiment, the indicator 13 may
change color when the fluid level of the reservoir reaches its
maximum point. The indicator 13 may also take the form of an LCD or
a gauge that indicates the fraction of the fuel tank that has been
filled.
[0020] In FIG. 1, the indicator 13 is located in an area proximate
to the fuel cap so as to be discernible to an operator positioned
at the fuel fill aperture. The indicator 13 may be located within
the confines of the area defined by the fuel cap cover door 11.
Alternatively, the indicator 13 may be located on the vehicle
exterior, a window, or at any location inside or outside the
vehicle so as to be visible to an operator at the fuel fill
aperture.
[0021] A further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG.
2 which depicts a dashboard display panel 20. In this embodiment,
an indicator 23 provides an audible alert to the vehicle operator.
The audible alert may be generated by a buzzer, a voice generator,
or other audible source generator. The source of the audible alert
may be at any location on the interior or exterior of the vehicle
so long as it is audible to an operator outside the vehicle at the
fuel aperature. As discussed above, to improve efficiency, the
embodiment may require that the fuel cap cover door 11 be open in
order for the indicator 23 to be operational. In addition to the
audible alert, the indicator 23 may also include a visual display
that operates in conjunction with the audible alert.
[0022] In a further embodiment of the invention, a liquid level
sensor is coupled with the vehicle CPU, as exemplified in FIG. 3.
In this configuration, when the liquid level sensor detects a full
status, the status is conveyed to the vehicle operator by the
operation of a CPU-controlled member of the vehicle. For example,
the CPU may command the horn to honk, the vehicle lights to flash,
the vehicle sound system to be turned on, the windows to be raised
and lowered, or the wipers to be turned on. Although utilization of
the existent vehicle CPU as a controller is the preferred mode of
operation, it is also possible to use a separate controller to
switch a vehicle member or other indicator means.
[0023] An alternate embodiment of the invention is depicted in FIG.
4. In this case, the indicator is positioned on a portable device
such as a key fob 40. An operator who steps away from the vehicle
with the portable device, perhaps to enter an office or convenience
store associated with the filling station, would still be given
notice that the fuel tank has been filled even though the vehicle
may temporarily be out of immediate sight. The indicator 43 on the
key fob 40 may be a visual indicator, an audible indicator, or a
combination thereof. The indicator 43 may also be manifested as a
vibration of the key fob 40. The indicator 43 located at the key
fob 40 may operate in conjunction with indicators 13 or 23 at the
vehicle, or with a CPU-controlled vehicle member as explained in
FIG. 3.
[0024] The optimum time to install the various embodiments of the
invention is during the manufacture of the vehicle. However, it is
also desirable to provide a means by which an existing vehicle may
be adapted to accommodate the invention. For this purpose, a
converter kit may be utilized. The kit contains the elements
necessary to couple the liquid level sensor already present in the
fuel tank with an indicator detectable by an operator at the fuel
fill aperture. The elements contained in the kit may vary depending
on the type and location of indicator desired. The kit may also
contain the necessary software and/or hardware so as to configure
the vehicle CPU to control the indicator.
[0025] The invention has been described with reference to certain
preferred embodiments thereof. It will be understood, however, that
modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the
appended claims. For example, future motor vehicles may have
potential, heretofore undeveloped features controlled by a CPU that
could be utilized as a means of indicating a full fuel tank to an
operator at the fuel fill aperture. The indicator may be coupled
with the liquid level sensor via a controller other than the
vehicle CPU. The coupling between the elements of the spontaneous
full fuel tank indicator may be performed by either wired or
wireless means. Accordingly, all modifications attainable by one
versed in the art from the present disclosure within the scope and
spirit of the present invention are to be included as further
embodiments of the present invention.
* * * * *