Flexible fuel sensor

摘要

A flexible fuel sensor for measuring the fuel level in a tank in which the sensor is installed. The flexible fuel sensor comprises a fitting arranged to be mounted to a mated fitting on a fuel tank associated with a hole in the fuel tank, a flexible down member extending from the fitting in a first direction and including a fuel level sensing mechanism, the down member configured to be mounted to extend through the hole into the fuel tank, and a sensor head extending from the fitting in a second direction and including sensor electronics coupled to the fuel level sensing mechanism. The flexible down member may comprise a coil made of steel wire.

主权项

1. A flexible fuel sensor comprising:
a fitting arranged to be mounted to a mating fitting on a fuel tank associated with a hole in the fuel tank; a flexible down member that is bendable to 90° using a bending force and that returns to a default straight configuration when the bending force is removed, the flexible down member extending from the fitting in a first direction and including a fuel level sensing mechanism, the down member configured to be mounted to extend through the hole into the fuel tank; and a sensor head extending from the fitting in a second direction and including sensor electronics coupled to the fuel level sensing mechanism;wherein:
the flexible down member comprises:
an inner flexible tube that comprises a first coil of wire; andan outer flexible tube that comprises a second coil of wire; and the first and second coils of wire permit the bending to 90° and provide a force that returns the flexible down member to its default straight configuration.