Patent ID: 7878057
Filing Date: 2011-02-01
Classification: G01F

Abstract:
1. A diagnostic system comprising: a fuel level sensor that senses a fuel level in a fuel tank; a sensor diagnostic module that activates a fuel transfer mechanism for a time period, that calculates a change in said fuel level, and that evaluates operation of said first fuel level sensor based on said change and said predetermined period; and a fuel level detection module that detects input from said fuel level sensor and a second fuel level sensor wherein said second fuel sensor senses a fuel level of a second fuel tank; wherein said fuel level detection module verifies that said fuel level of said fuel tank exceeds an empty threshold and said fuel level of said second fuel tank is below a control threshold, wherein said control threshold is independent of the empty threshold; wherein said fuel level detection module determines a first fuel level of said fuel tank before activating said fuel transfer mechanism and determines a second fuel level of said fuel tank after said time period; and wherein said sensor diagnostic module deactivates said fuel transfer mechanism when said time period exceeds a time threshold.