Fluid level measuring device and method of operation thereof

Abstract

A fluid level measuring device (100) is disclosed. The fluid level measuring device (100) comprises a plurality of magnetic floats (102) disposed in vertical sections of a container (101), a plurality of contactless sensors (104) being disposed at predetermined levels of the container (101), and a level measuring circuitry (107) electrically connected to the plurality of contactless sensors (104) for generating a level signal from the electrical output signal of each of the contactless sensors (104). Each of the contactless sensors (104) is configured to generate an electrical output signal in response to a change in magnetic flux density, the magnetic flux being generated by a magnetic float (102).

Description

TITLE OF INVENTION:FLUID LEVEL MEASURING DEVICE AND METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOFTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present subject matter generally relates to fluid level measurement. More particularly, but not exclusively to fluid level measuring device and its contactless operation.BACKGROUND

[0002] Fuel sensing is a daily use feature which we encounter every time we ride a vehicle. Thus, an efficient and accurate fuel sensing system is needed. The existing system uses a thick film resistance-based resistance monitoring, where resistance is measured. Resistive type sensors rely on contact connections to a resistive element. A float and a pivot arm move such that when the fuel tank is full, the wiper contact is at one extreme of the resistive element, and when the tank is empty the wiper contact is at the other extreme.

[0003] Further, resistance type fuel measuring systems, which use a float connected to a variable resistor, can experience several failures that lead to inaccurate readings. The float can become stuck or lose buoyancy due to debris, wear, or absorption of fuel, resulting in incorrect fuel level measurements. The resistor itself is prone to wear from constant movement, and corrosion can degrade its performance, leading to erratic signals.

[0004] In order to measure resistance, current has to be continuously supplied through resistance which makes the system lossy. Here, resistance measurement path is completed using mechanical contacts where wear and tear is a common issue, which effects the durability of the product. Electrical issues like poor connections or short circuits can also disrupt the system causing intermittent or false readings. For resistance measurement continuous current has to be passed through the resistance which results in a power loss. Mechanical failures, such as broken linkages or misalignment, can prevent the float from accurately tracking thefuel level. Additionally, environmental factors like extreme temperature changes can alter resistance values further affecting accuracy. These issues highlight the limitations of resistance-based fuel measuring systems, which may require regular maintenance to ensure reliable operation.

[0005] . It is known that such contact type sensors wear over time, making noncontact type sensors desirable. Ultrasonic, electromagnetic, and shaped electromagnetic field sensors have complex electronics to drive the sensor element and determine the fuel level. Their complexity makes component costs high.

[0006] Thus, there is a need for a fuel measuring device that eliminates mechanical contacts eradicating the issue of wear and tear and corrosion, which addresses at least the aforementioned problems and other problems of known art.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] According to embodiments illustrated herein, the present invention provides a fluid level measuring device and a method of operation of the fluid level measuring device.

[0008] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a fluid level measuring device. The fluid level measuring device comprises a plurality of magnetic floats disposed in vertical sections of a container, and a plurality of contactless sensors being disposed at predetermined levels of the container. Each of the contactless sensors being configured to generate an electrical output signal in response to a change in magnetic flux density. The magnetic flux being generated by a magnetic float. The fluid level measuring device further comprising a level measuring circuitry electrically connected to the plurality of contactless sensors for generating a level signal from the electrical output signal of each of the contactless sensors.

[0009] In an embodiment, the level measuring circuitry comprises a plurality of resistive elements electrically connected to the plurality of contactless sensors, for the level measuring circuitry to function as a summer circuitry. The contactless sensors being mounted on one of an internal surface and an external surface of the container.

[0010] The generated level signal from the level measuring circuitry being connected to level gauge for displaying a level of the fluid.

[0011] In an embodiment, the fluid being a fuel of a vehicle and wherein the magnetic float being non-reactive to the fuel.

[0012] In an embodiment, at least one of the contactless sensors and the level measuring circuitry being disposed on a printed circuit board and the printed circuit board being mounted on one of an internal surface and an external surface of the container.

[0013] In an embodiment, the vertical sections being formed in the container by restrictions in a side surface of the container, thereby permitting increase and decrease in the fluid level in the container, each of the contactless sensors being disposed in a vertical section of the container.

[0014] In another aspect, A method of operation of a fluid level measuring device is disclosed. The method comprises steps of: generating a magnetic field by each magnetic float of the fluid level measuring device in each vertical section of a container, generating an electrical output signal corresponding to change in magnetic flux density by each contactless sensor of the fluid level measuring device, and summing of the electrical output signal from each of the contactless sensor by a plurality of resistive elements of a level measuring circuitry to a generate a level signal indicative of the fluid level in the container.

[0015] In an embodiment, the fluid level measuring device comprises a plurality of magnetic floats and wherein the magnetic float floats on a top surface of the fluid in each section.

[0016] In an embodiment, the fluid level measuring device comprises a plurality of contactless sensors disposed in each vertical section of the container at predetermined levels of the container.

[0017] The electrical output signal being a current signal generated by the contactless sensor and flowing through the resistive elements to generate the level signal, wherein the level signal being a voltage drop across one of the resistive elements caused by a summed current signal.

[0018] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The details are described with reference to an embodiment of a method and a rider health monitoring system for controlling an operation of vehicle along with the accompanying diagrams. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference similar features and components.

[0020] Fig. 1 exemplarily illustrates a block diagram of a fluid level measuring device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figs. 2a-2b exemplarily illustrate schematic diagrams depicting the container and the level measuring circuitry of the fluid level measuring device of Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Fig. 3 exemplarily illustrates a flowchart depicting the method of operation of the fluid level measuring device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Exemplary embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever convenient, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. While examples and features of disclosed principles are described herein, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed embodiments. It is intended that the following detailed description be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

[0024] The terms “an embodiment”, “embodiment”, “embodiments”, “the embodiment”, “the embodiments”, “one or more embodiments”, “some embodiments”, and “one embodiment” mean “one or more (but not all) embodiments of the invention(s)” unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms“including”, “comprising”, “having” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to”, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0025] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to of the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the present embodiments. The present subject matter is further described with reference to accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate principles of the present subject matter. Various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, encompass the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.

[0026] Fig. 1 exemplarily illustrates a block diagram of a fuel measuring device 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The fluid level measuring device 100 comprises a plurality of magnetic floats 102 disposed in vertical sections of a container 101; a plurality of contactless sensors 104 being disposed at predetermined levels of the container 102, and a level measuring circuitry 107 electrically connected to the plurality of contactless sensors 104 for generating a level signal from the electrical output signal of each of the contactless sensors 104.

[0027] Each of the contactless sensors 104 generates an electrical output signal in response to a change in magnetic flux density. The magnetic flux is generated by a magnetic float 102. The contactless sensor 104 is a hall sensor. The hall sensor 104 generates a hall voltage directly proportional to the strength of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic float 102. The contactless sensors 104 are mounted to an internal surface or an external surface of the container 101. The generated level signal from the level measuring circuitry 107 is connected to a level gauge 108 for displaying a level of the fluid 103.

[0028] In an embodiment, the container 101 is a fuel tank of a vehicle and the fluid 103 is a fuel of the vehicle. The magnetic float 102 is designed to be non-reactive to the fuel.

[0029] The container is divided into vertical sections with restrictions formed from an inner side surface of the container. A magnetic float is disposed in each of these vertical sections and a corresponding hall sensor is disposed at the extreme top end of the vertical section. As the fluid 103 raises in as section, the magnetic float raises to the extreme top end of the sections and thus, the hall sensor generates a voltage output. In case the vertical sections are 3, the number of magnetic floats is also 3 and the number of hall sensors are also 3, as can be seen in Fig. 2a.

[0030] The level measuring circuitry 107 is connected to the hall sensors 104. The level measuring circuitry 107 comprises a plurality of resistive elements 105 electrically connected to the plurality of contactless sensors 104, for the level measuring circuitry 107 to function as a summer circuitry. Each of the resistive elements 105, resistor leads of the level measuring circuitry 107, is connected to each magnetic float 102. The current flowing in these resistive elements 105 is indicative of the level of the fluid 103 in the container 101.

[0031] Figs. 2a-2b exemplarily illustrate schematic diagrams depicting the container 100 and the level measuring circuitry 107 of the fluid level measuring device 100 100 of Fig. 1. As seen, Hl 104a, H2 104b, and H3 104c indicate 3 hall sensors. Each hall sensor 104a, 104b, 104c is disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB) 201, 202, 203, 204, 205 and the PCB 201, 202, 203, 204, 205 being mounted on either an internal surface and an external surface of the container 101.

[0032] The vertical sections 201, 202, 203, 204 are formed in the container 101 by restrictions in a side surface of the container 101, thereby permitting increase and decrease in the fluid level in the container 101. Each hall sensor 104a, 104b, 104c will get activated when the magnetic float 102a, 102b, 102c which floats on the fluid 103 and reaches near the hall sensor 104a, 104b, 104c, indicating three levels of the container 101 filled with fluid 103. Each hall sensor 104a, 104b, 104c is connected to a resistive element Rl, R2, R3 through a switching element 106, adiode DI, D2, D3 as shown in Fig. 2b. The hall sensor Hl when activated will allow current I to flow through a respective diode DI and through R4. The voltage across R4 (V4) will be monitored and it signifies the level of fuel in 3 levels with voltage values I*R4, 2*I*R4, and 3*I*R4. The number of levels can be increased as needed. That is, as the level of fluid 103 in the container 101 falls, all 3 Hl, H2, and H3 may be activated, or only H2 and H3 may be activated or only H3 may be activated. When all 3 Hl, H2, and H3 are activated, current I shall flow through each of Rl, R2, and R3, resulting in a voltage drop of 3*I*R4 across the resistor R4. This increased drop across R4 indicative of higher fluid level in the container 100.

[0033] Fig. 3 exemplarily illustrates flowchart 300 showing a method of operation of the fluid level measuring device 100 100. The method consists the steps of at step 301, each magnetic float 102c generates a magnetic field in each vertical section of the container. At step 302, each contactless sensor 104c generates an electrical output signal corresponding to the change in magnetic flux density, as the magnetic float 102c raises or falls with the fluid 103 in the vertical section. The PCB 203 restricts the movement of the magnetic float 102c beyond specific levels. When the magnetic float 102c reaches near hall sensor 104c (i.e., fluid reaching to one of the marked levels) indicates the level of the fluid 103 in the container 101 according to the circuit diagram in Figs. 2a-2b. At step 303, the electrical output signal from each of these contactless sensors 102c results in a current to flow through the resistive elements R3 and the current is summed to indicate the level of the fluid in the container 101. The electrical output signal is a current signal generated by the contactless sensori 04 and flowing through the resistive elements 105 to generate the level signal, wherein the level signal being a voltage drop across one of the resistive elements 105 caused by a summed current signal.

[0034] The technical advancement in the present invention has in the field of fluid level measurement technology is: The proposed invention deals with contactless hall sensors and magnetic floats, where there is no mechanical contact and current flows only when the fluid is above a particular threshold, that is, when the hall sensor detects the presence of a magnet. Hence, the present invention removes the mechanical contact (wear and tear issue) and makes system efficient and accurate.

[0035] The earlier used resistance-based fuel sensing where the mechanical contacts are needed to measure the resistance and complete the path, where the contact slides on the resistance making wear and tear prominent. However, in the present invention, the hall sensor and magnetic floats used to sense the fluid levels, where the magnetic float interacts with the hall sensor magnetically, thus eliminating the mechanical contact which eradicates the issue regarding wear and tear. The magnets which are in the fluid, say a fuel, can be coated accordingly to eradicate corrosion problems whereas when resistances get corroded, it will lead to an inaccurate fuel level.

[0036] Further, the fluid level measuring device of the present invention, there are no issues of short circuit, mechanical failures such as broken linkages. In resistance measurement-based fuel sensing, continuous current must be passed through resistance whereas in hall level sensors-based fuel sensing current will be passing only if the magnetic float is near to the hall sensor, i.e., current will be flowing only if fluid level has reached the threshold level. Thus, making the fluid measurement system less lossy and more efficient.

[0037] The proposed fluid level sensing invention, using Hall effect sensors with magnetic floats on the fluid, has diverse applications across various vehicles and industries. In the automotive sector, it can be integrated into 2-wheelers, 3-wheelers, and 4-wheelers, providing precise fuel level monitoring in motorcycles, scooters, auto-rickshaws, cars, and trucks. Further, such a fluid level measuring device’s utility extends to marine vehicles, such as, boats and yachts, where accurate fuel measurement is vital, and to small aircraft, ensuring reliable fuel monitoring for safety. The technology in this invention is also adaptable to hybrid electric vehicles. Beyond automotive, it can be used in agricultural machinery like tractors and harvesters, construction vehicles such as bulldozers and excavators, and industrial generators, ensuring uninterrupted operation. Additionally, the aerospace industry could employ this technology to monitor liquid fuel levels in spacecraft and satellites. Looking to the future, this invention could be integrated with loT systems for real-time monitoring, advanced fuel management in commercial fleets, and Al-driven optimization of fuel consumption. As alternative fuels like hydrogen emerge, the technology could be adapted to monitor the newfuel types, and even find applications in portal fuel-powered devices like generators and camping stoves. This versatile invention offers enhanced fuel management across multiple sectors and holds significant potential for future applications.

[0038] A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with another does not imply that all such components are required, On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the invention.

[0039] Finally, the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter and is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based here on. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present invention are intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.

[0040] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

[0041] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made, and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.List of Reference Numerals100- fluid level measuring device101- container102(102a, 102b, 102c)- magnetic float 103 -fluid104(104a, 104b, 104c)-contactless sensors 105-resistive elements106-switching elements107-level measuring circuitry108-level gauge201, 202, 203, 204, 205-PCB portions

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. A fluid level measuring device (100), the fluid level measuring device (100) comprising:a plurality of magnetic floats (102) disposed in vertical sections of a container (101);a plurality of contactless sensors (104) being disposed at predetermined levels of the container (101), each of the contactless sensors (104) being configured to generate an electrical output signal in response to a change in magnetic flux density, the magnetic flux being generated by a magnetic float (102); anda level measuring circuitry (107) electrically connected to the plurality of contactless sensors (104) for generating a level signal from the electrical output signal of each of the contactless sensors (104).

2. The fluid level measuring device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the level measuring circuitry (107) comprises a plurality of resistive elements electrically connected to the plurality of contactless sensors (104), for the level measuring circuitry (107) to function as a summer circuitry.

3. The fluid level measuring device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the contactless sensors (104) being mounted on one of an internal surface and an external surface of the container (101).

4. The fluid level measuring device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the generated level signal from the level measuring circuitry (107) being connected to level gauge (108) for displaying a level of the fluid (103).

5. The fluid level measuring device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid (103) being a fuel of a vehicle and wherein the magnetic float (102) being non-reactive to the fuel.

6. The fluid level measuring device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the contactless sensors (104) and the level measuring circuitry (107) being disposed on a printed circuit board (201, 202, 203, 204, 205) and the printed circuit board (201, 202, 203, 204, 205) being mounted on one of an internal surface and an external surface of the container (101).

7. The fluid level measuring device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vertical sections being formed in the container (101) by restrictions in a side surface of the container (101), thereby permitting increase and decrease in the fluid level in the container (101).

8. The fluid level measuring device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the contactless sensors (104) being disposed in a vertical section of the container (101).

9. A method of operation of a fluid level measuring device (100), the method comprising the steps of:generating a magnetic field by each magnetic float of the fluid level measuring device (100) in each vertical section of a container (101), wherein the fluid level measuring device (100) comprises a plurality of magnetic floats (102) and wherein the magnetic float (102) floats on a top surface of the fluid (103) in each section;generating an electrical output signal corresponding to change in magnetic flux density by each contactless sensor (104) of the fluid level measuring device (100), wherein the fluid level measuring device (100) comprises a plurality of contactless sensors (104) disposed in the each vertical section of the container (101) at predetermined levels of the container (101); andsumming of the electrical output signal from each of the contactless sensors (104) by a plurality of resistive elements (105) of a level measuring circuitry (107) to a generate a level signal indicative of the fluid level in the container (101).

10. The method of operation of the fluid level measuring device (100) as claimed in 9, wherein the electrical output signal being a current signal generated by the contactless sensor (104) and flowing through the resistive elements (105) to generate the level signal, wherein the level signal being a voltage drop across one of the resistive elements (105) caused by a summed current signal.

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