Patent ID: 6498566
Filing Date: 2002-12-24
Classification: G01F

Abstract:
A method for measuring fluid level in a motor vehicle comprising the acts of:providing a fluid level sensor comprising: a receiver tube positionable in a container of fluid, the receiver tube defining an upright orientation when installed in the container; a level tube coaxially disposed in the receiver tube; a reference tube coaxially disposed in the receiver tube below the level tube relative to the upright orientation; and a circuit electrically connected to the tubes for outputting a signal representative of fluid level in the container; determining and recording a sensor output, VL/Eair, with the circuit in the level/empty configuration and the sensor in air; determining and recording a sensor output, VC/Eair, with the circuit in the condition (reference)/empty configuration and the sensor in air; determining and recording a sensor output, VL/Etest, with the circuit in the level/empty configuration and the sensor in a test fluid; determining and recording a sensor output, VC/Etest, with the circuit in the condition (reference)/empty configuration and the sensor in the test fluid; determining and recording a sensor output, VL/Eoil, with the circuit in the level/empty configuration and the sensor in a subject fluid; determining and recording a sensor output, VC/Eoil, with the circuit in the condition (reference)/empty configuration and the sensor in the subject fluid; and based on the sensor outputs, determining the level of fluid in a container.