BR-102022012124-B1 - VEHICLE FUEL SUPPLY GAUGE

Abstract

VEHICLE FUEL SUPPLY MEASUREMENT DEVICE. This utility model refers to a vehicle fuel supply measurement device, consisting of a piston pump (or pistons), a DC electric motor, a capacitive neck, and a digital control unit. The pump is driven by the DC electric motor, controlled by a digital control unit, when fuel is present in the neck. The pump is activated when the capacitance value indicates the presence of fuel in the neck, and then the number of pump rotations is recorded in the digital control unit. Knowing the displacement of the piston pump (or pistons) and the number of revolutions it makes during refueling, it is possible to accurately measure the amount of fuel dispensed.

Inventors

• LEANDRO DE AMORIM RATAMERO
• DAMIANO DA SILVA MILITÃO

Assignees

• UNIVERSIDADE DO ESTADO DO RIO DE JANEIRO

Dates

Publication Date

20260317

Application Date

20220617

Claims (1)

1. 1. VEHICLE FUEL SUPPLY MEASUREMENT DEVICE, characterized by being formed from a piston pump (or pistons) (1), driven by a DC electric motor (2), a digital control unit (4) and a capacitive neck (3), capable of measuring the volume of fuel (8) inserted into a vehicle fuel tank (5) via pumping the fuel present in the capacitive neck (3), where the number of revolutions of the pump (1) is counted by the digital control unit (4), which in turn receives information on the amount of fuel present in the capacitive neck (3) via measurement of its capacitance, originating from its constitution by parallel metal cylinders (6) connected to electrical terminals (7).

Description

Field of invention [001] The innovative equipment can be used in vehicles in general that are propelled by liquid fuels and that are normally refueled at gas stations or similar locations. The equipment can be incorporated into vehicles in the development (design) phase or can be built for adaptation to vehicles in use. The system is capable of precisely determining the amount of fuel that is inserted into the fuel tank during refueling. Fundamentals of the invention [002] It is common knowledge that vehicle refueling at gas stations is subject to fraud and irregularities on the part of some of these stations, in order to supply the consumer with a volume of fuel less than that purchased and indicated by the establishment's fuel pump. Some ideas have already been recorded, with a view to creating alternative devices to measuring the volume of fuel actually supplied to the vehicle. [003] The current state of the art anticipates a patent document that deals with the subject matter in question, such as, for example, document BR 10 2012 010465 - 2 A2 - filing date 03/05/2012, title: “Fuel meter for vehicles”, Abstract: fuel meter for vehicles, refers more particularly to a new device designed to measure the amount of fuel to be inserted into the tank of a vehicle, said device, notably developed so that the user can monitor, at the time of refueling, the actual amount of fuel introduced into the tank of his vehicle, avoiding any inconvenience and losses resulting from fraud carried out by devices installed next to fuel pumps that indicate a greater amount of fuel than is actually being introduced into the vehicle's tank; The fuel gauge for vehicles basically consists of a funnel-shaped element with a laminar structure, inside which a rotor, or transverse propeller, is positioned. This rotor, in turn, is connected to an external digital device, which allows visualization of the exact amount of fuel introduced into the tank. [004] The fuel gauge referred to in the document above seeks to solve the problem of measuring the actual volume of fuel supplied to the tank. Some limitations can be noted regarding this technology. [005] The fuel gauge referred to uses a conical-shaped neck for inserting fuel into the tank, a geometry that is neither suitable nor practical for vehicle mounting or handling. [006] The fuel meter referred to uses a propeller, or rotor, that rotates as the fuel passes through. It is known that this method of measuring flow is imprecise, and can lead to considerable deviations in the determination of the volume supplied. [007] The current state of the art anticipates a patent document that deals with the subject matter in question, such as, for example, document MU 7901152-7 U - filing date 04/06/1999, Title: “Fuel gauge cap for vehicles”, Abstract: Utility model patent "Fuel gauge cap for vehicles" whose main purpose is to check the quantity of liters of fuel placed in vehicle tanks in general. The said cap consists of a cylindrical aluminum structure containing an orifice with a supply tube and a threaded orifice at the top, gauge, directional tube, junction, locking key, vent, and a closing cap. The assembly of the cap is made from the structure, receiving the gauge in the threaded orifice, the supply tube at the top and at the bottom, being coupled to the junction, to the directional tube that receives the locking key and the closing cap. [008] The fuel gauge referred to in the document above also seeks to solve the problem of measuring the actual volume of fuel supplied to the tank. Some limitations can be pointed out in relation to this technology. [009] The system features a complex fuel tank cap geometry, which may present difficulties in assembly, adaptation, or practical application in vehicles. [0010] The fuel meter referred to also uses a propeller, or rotor, that rotates as the fuel passes through. It is known that this method of measuring flow is imprecise and can lead to considerable deviations in the determination of the volume dispensed. [0011] In this context, an objective of the innovation is to propose a system for measuring the volume of fuel actually dispensed during refueling. Another objective of the innovation is to propose a precise and reliable fuel volume measurement system, providing the user with a reliable indication of the volume of fuel in the tank. The innovation also aims to propose a fuel volume measurement system with characteristics that allow for easy installation in motor vehicles, either through adaptation or at the vehicle design level. Brief description of the drawings: Figure 1 shows the general layout of the system. Legend: 1 - Piston pump(s); 2 - DC electric motor; 3 - Capacitive neck; 4 - External digital device or on-board computer (BCM / PCM); 5 - Fuel tank. Figure 2 illustrates the detail of the capacitive neck. Legend: 6 - Concentric metal cylinders; 7 - Capacitor terminals; 8 - Fuel. Description of the invention [0012] This application concerns