Boat Fuel Tank Weight Sensing With Motion and Tilt Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for measuring fuel remaining amount in tanks of boats, vehicles, or aircrafts using load sensors are inaccurate due to variations caused by movement or tilt, and methods relying on float-based liquid level detection are also unreliable.
Innovation Solution
A fuel remaining amount measuring apparatus that utilizes a load sensor to measure the weight of the fuel tank and incorporates a correction device to correct errors due to movement or tilt, eliminating the need for float-based liquid level detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a float is used to detect liquid level in the fuel tank, then the measurement method is simple, but the measurement accuracy is reduced due to non-uniform tank shape and boat movement or tilt
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical float-based liquid level detection system with an electronic sensor system (acceleration sensor and tilt sensor) that measures physical quantities (acceleration and tilt angle) and uses computational algorithms to calculate fuel remaining amount. This substitution eliminates the direct mechanical coupling between the measurement device and the fuel tank, thereby resolving the contradiction between simplicity and accuracy.
2Device complexity
If a load sensor is used to measure the weight of the fuel tank, then the measurement method is straightforward, but the measurement accuracy varies with boat movement or tilt
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces acceleration sensors and tilt sensors as intermediary devices that indirectly measure the effects of movement and tilt on the fuel tank weight. By measuring acceleration and tilt angle separately and using computational correction, the system compensates for the interference caused by boat movement, thereby maintaining measurement simplicity while improving accuracy.
3Device complexity
If float-based liquid level detection is used, then the device structure is simple, but the measurement accuracy is affected by the shape of the fuel tank
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical float system with an electronic sensing system that uses acceleration and tilt sensors combined with computational algorithms. This substitution eliminates the dependency on tank shape for measurement accuracy, as the electronic sensors measure physical quantities that can be computationally processed regardless of the tank's geometric configuration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Improves the accuracy of fuel remaining amount measurement by correcting errors caused by movement or tilt, ensuring precise fuel quantity estimation.
Implementation Method 1
a load sensor to measure a weight of the fuel tank
Implementation Method 2
a corrector to receive a measured value of the weight of the fuel tank detected by the load sensor, and to correct an error due to at least one of a movement or a tilt of the boat
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel remaining amount measuring apparatus for a boat includes a fuel tank containing fuel, a load sensor to measure a weight of the fuel tank, and a corrector to receive a measured value of the weight of the fuel tank detected by the load sensor. The corrector is operable to correct an error due to at least one of a movement or a tilt of the boat.