Apparatuses and methods for fuel level sensing

Apparatuses and methods for fuel level sensing are described herein. An example sensor may include a sealed housing and an electrically conductive coil. The sealed housing may comprise a pivot end, a float end opposite the pivot end, and an interior defined by walls extending therebetween. The pivot end may be adapted to join a pivot point and the float end may be adapted to join to a float at an exterior of the housing. The electrically conductive coil spring is disposed in the housing interior and comprises a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The coil spring is adapted to expand and retract in response to movement of the internal float within the housing and to electrically couple to a circuit configured to sense a change in resistance in the coil spring in response to expansion and retraction of windings of the coil spring.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Examples of the present invention relate generally to fuel level sensors, and more particularly to fuel level sensors implementing internal floats.

BACKGROUND

Fuel level sensors, such as those utilizing a float, are commonly used to determine fuel levels of a fuel tank. Such fuel level sensors often comprise sealed fuel level sensors, where particular components of a fuel level sensor are enclosed in a housing to prevent the components from being directly exposed to fuel of the fuel tank.

In many instances, however, implementations of fuel level sensors present reliability issues. For example, despite efforts, many sealed fuel level sensors suffer from leakage as a result of poor sealing, punctured housing, corrosion, or combinations thereof. As another example, many sealed fuel level sensors include mechanical components susceptible to wear, fatigue, and loosening. In either case, operation may be significantly compromised by these respective causes of failure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one implementation, a sensor includes a sealed housing with a pivot end, a float end opposite the pivot end and an interior defined by walls extending therebetween. The pivot end is adapted to join to a pivot point, while the float end is adapted to join to a float at an exterior of the housing. An electrically conductive coil spring is disposed in the housing interior, where a first end is joined to the housing at one of the pivot end or the float end and a second end of the coil spring opposite the first end is joined to an internal float within the housing. The coil spring is adapted to expand and retract in response to movement of the internal float within the housing and further is adapted to electrically couple to a circuit configured to sense a change in resistance in the coil spring by expansion and retraction of windings of the coil spring.

According to another implementation, a fuel sensor includes a fuel sensor housing adapted to be arranged in the fuel tank. The housing includes a pivot end, a float end opposite the pivot end and an interior defined by walls extending therebetween. The pivot end is adapted to join to a pivot point in the fuel tank, and the float end is adapted to join to an external float arranged in the fuel tank and at an exterior of the housing. An electrically conductive coil spring is disposed in the housing interior and is joined to an internal float within the housing. A resistance sensor is electrically coupled to the coil spring, and as pivot angle of the fuel sensor changes in response to fuel level changes, the resistance sensor senses a change in resistance in the coil spring as the coil spring expands or retracts.

In yet another implementation, a method of sensing fuel levels in a fuel tank involves sensing a resistance of a conductive path using a resistance sensor. The resistance sensor may include a housing with a pivot end, a float end opposite the pivot end and an interior defined by walls extending therebetween. The pivot end may be adapted to join to a pivot point in the fuel tank. The float end of the housing may be adapted to join to an external float arranged in the fuel tank at an exterior of the housing. The sensor additionally includes an electrically conductive coil spring disposed in the interior of the housing. The coil spring joins to an internal float within the housing, and the internal float is configured to adjust a resistance of the electrically conductive coil spring. The resistance is indicative of a fuel level of the fuel tank. The method continues by translating the resistance into the fuel level.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Apparatuses and methods for fuel level sensing are disclosed herein. Certain details are set forth below to provide a sufficient understanding of embodiments of the invention. However, it will be clear to one having skill in the art that implementations may be practiced with or without these particular details. Moreover, the particular embodiments of the present invention described herein are provided by way of example and should not be construed as limiting. In other instances, well-known components, circuits, and operations have not been shown in detail as being know to those of skill in the art.

The present disclosure is directed generally to fuel level sensors. A fuel level sensor may be a sensor located in a fuel tank and configured to provide one or more signals indicating fuel levels of the fuel tank. A fuel sensor may, for instance, include a conductive path having a resistance proportionate to the fuel level. That is, the greater the fuel level, the greater the resistance of the conductive path, and the lesser the fuel level, the lesser the resistance of the conductive path, or vice versa. The conductive path may be coupled to external control logic, which may be adapted to determine the resistance of the conductive path and translate the resistance into a fuel level.

FIG. 1is a diagram of a cross-sectional view of a fuel level sensor100in a first position according to one implementation. The fuel level sensor100includes a sealed housing10, a coil spring20, an internal float30, a balance spring40, a float arm50, a pivot cap60, a connection cap70, an external float80and a conductive path90.

Each end of the sealed housing10may be sealed by a respective cap60,70such that the sealed housing10is liquid tight. For instance, a first end of the sealed housing10may be sealed using a pivot cap60to form a “pivot end” and a second end of the sealed housing10may be sealed using a connection cap70to form a “float end.” Each of the pivot cap60and the connection cap70may be sealed at a respective end of the sealed housing10using an adhesive, such as glue. The pivot cap60may be coupled (e.g., rotatably joined) to a point of an interior of a fuel tank (not shown inFIG. 1) to form a “pivot point.” The connection cap70may be coupled (e.g., fixedly joined) to a float arm50. The external float80may provide additional buoyancy to the float arm30and may be indirectly joined to the connection70cap via a cable or other suitable mechanical linkage.

Briefly, the float arm50may be configured to change in position responsive to changes in fuel level of the fuel tank. By way of example, the float arm50may be configured to be buoyant when submersed in fuel such that the float arm50rises and falls with the fuel level of the fuel tank. Because the float arm50may be coupled to the connection cap70, as the float arm50rises and falls with respective fuel levels, the sealed housing10may be displaced by the float arm50. For example, the sealed housing10may be rotated about the pivot point as the float arm50rises and falls; the sealed housing10may rotate to a more vertical orientation responsive to the float arm50rising and rotate to a more horizontal orientation responsive to the float arm50falling. Alternatively, the sealed housing10may comprise materials having a lesser density compared to the external fluid, and may include closed cell foam, or may be wrapped in materials having a lesser density than the external fluid, such as a buoyant sleeve. In these instances, the float arm50may be omitted from the fuel level sensor100.

The sealed housing10may be substantially cylindrical in shape, or may have any other shape. In some embodiments, for instance, the sealed housing10may be hyper-rectangular or conical in shape and further may be curved in a vertical and/or horizontal direction. The sealed housing10may comprise any material known in the art, now or in the future, such as glass, plastic, metal, rubber, or any combination thereof, and accordingly may be configured to resist and/or mitigate corrosion from one or more liquid fuels.

In at least one example, the sealed housing10may be liquid tight and filled with a non-conductive fluid. In this manner, one or more components of the fuel level sensor100located in the housing10may be submersed and/or suspended in the non-conductive fluid. The non-conductive fluid may be an inert fluid, a dielectric fluid, or any combination thereof. In some implementations, the non-conductive fluid may serve to dampen or absorb forces within the sealed housing10. In addition, the non-conductive fluid may extend the lifetime of the internal components of the sealed housing10by carrying debris away from the components so that movement of the components is not impeded by such debris, thereby preventing wear and deterioration. In some instances, the sealed housing10may only be partially filled with the non-conductive fluid, and any portion of the sealed housing10not filled with the non-conductive fluid may be filled with an inert gas, such as argon or nitrogen.

Each of the coil spring20, the internal float30, and balance spring40may be located within an interior of the sealed housing10and may be coupled in series between the pivot cap60and connection cap70. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 1, the coil spring20may be coupled to the pivot cap60and the internal float30, the internal float30may further be coupled to the balance spring40, and the balance spring may further be coupled to the connection cap70.

The coil spring20may be an electrically conductive spring and may be configured to expand and retract during operation of the fuel sensor100. In some examples, the coil spring20may comprise a spring resistor (e.g., variable spring resistor) and have a resistance that varies according to the expansion and retraction of the coil spring20. For example, as the coil spring20is expanded, an increasing number of the coils (e.g., windings) of the coil spring20may be separated, resulting in a longer conductive path90from end to end of the coil spring20, and thus an increased resistance. As the coil spring is retracted, an increasing number of the coils of the coil spring20may be electrically coupled, resulting in a shorter conductive path90from end to end of the coil spring20, and thus a decreased resistance. In at least one embodiment, the resistance of the coil spring20may change linearly (e.g., proportionately) with respect to expansion and retraction. In other embodiments, the resistance of the coil spring20may change exponentially, or in another other manner.

The coil spring20may be substantially conical in shape such that respective circumferences of windings change over a length of the coil spring20. In at least one embodiment, the conical shape of the coil spring20may taper toward the pivot cap60. Accordingly, as the coil spring20expands and retracts during operation, coils of the coil spring20may be separated substantially uniformly. In another embodiment, the conical shape of the coil spring20may taper toward the connection cap70. While the coil spring is described as having a conical shape, a spring having any shape and/or any tension may be used to implement the coil spring20. In some examples, the coil spring may comprise stainless steel, nickel chrome alloys, or a combination thereof.

The internal float30may be configured to be buoyant relative to the non-conductive fluid of the sealed housing10, and further may be submersed in the non-conductive fluid, as described. Accordingly, the non-conductive fluid may cause a buoyant force to be applied to the internal float30. The magnitude of the buoyant force may be determined in accordance with the following equation:

BF∼sin⁢⁢αD×V
where BF represents the buoyant force; a represents the angle of the sealed housing10relative to a horizontal plane of the pivot point, or pivot angle; D represents the density of the fluid in which the internal float30is submersed; and V represents the volume of the fluid displaced by the internal float30.

In response to the buoyant force, the internal float30may apply a corresponding tension to the coil spring20to expand the coil spring20. As described, the sealed housing10may be rotated about a fixed point as defined by the fixed cap60. As the sealed housing10is rotated, the magnitude of the tension applied by the internal float30on the coil spring20may be adjusted. By way of example, the more vertical the orientation of the sealed housing10relative to the fuel tank (recall that the higher the fuel level of the fuel tank, the more vertical the sealed housing10), the greater the tension applied by the internal float30on the coil spring20, and conversely, the more horizontal the orientation of the sealed housing10relative to the fuel tank, the lesser the tension applied by the internal float30on the coil spring20. In this manner, the coil spring20may be expanded and retracted by the internal float30and as a result the resistance of the coil spring20may be decreased and increased, respectively.

The balance spring40may be configured to expand and retract during operation of the fuel sensor100and may, for instance, have a relatively high modulus. The balance spring may expand and retract in a complementary manner of that of the coil spring20. In this manner, the balance spring40may compensate for displacement of the internal float30relative to the housing10during operation. In some implementations, the balance spring40may be an electrically conductive spring, described further below.

In some examples, the internal float30may be configured to electrically couple the coil spring20and the balance spring40. For example, the internal float30may include a conductive element that is configured to electrically couple the coil spring20and the balance spring40. Alternatively, the coil spring20and the balance spring40may be electrically coupled. Furthermore, each of the pivot cap60and the connection cap70may be conductive and configured to act as an electrical terminal of the fuel level sensor100. In some examples, the pivot cap60may include a wire coupled to the coil spring20and extending out of the sealed housing10through the pivot cap60. Similarly, the connection cap70may include a wire coupled to the balance spring40and extending out of the sealed housing10through the connection cap70. Thus, a conductive path90may be formed between each of the caps60,70via the coil spring20, the internal float30, and the balance spring40; or alternatively, the conductive path90may be formed between the caps60,70via the coil spring20and the balance spring40. Because each of the caps60,70may include a wire extending out of the sealed housing10, the conductive path90may be accessible to one or more external circuits (not shown inFIG. 1). Moreover, because the internal float30may apply a tension to the coil spring20during operation, the resistance of the conductive path90may be adjusted as the coil spring20expands and retracts. Briefly, a range of fuel levels in the fuel tank may therefore correspond to a range of resistances of the conductive path90, and more specifically, to a range of resistances of the coil spring20.

The fuel level sensor100may include a conductive path90for electrically coupling the fuel level sensor100to external control logic of the fuel sensor. The conductive path90may be defined by electrically conductive components extending from an interior of the sealed housing10to an exterior of the housing. While the conductive path90of fuel level sensor100has been described as including caps60,70, coil spring20and balance spring40, alone or in combination with the internal float30, it will be appreciated that in some embodiments one or more components of the conductive path90may be omitted and/or one or more components may be added to the conductive path90. For example, in one embodiment, the balance spring40may be omitted such that the internal float30is coupled to the connection cap70directly and/or using a wire. In another embodiment, the conductive path90may include one or more resistors to increase the overall resistance. In another example, the conductive path90of the fuel level sensor100may be provided at either one of the caps60,70, in which the coil spring20and optionally the balance spring40and/or internal float30may be electrically coupled to one of the caps60,70via two conductive leads extending therefrom. For example, a first conductive lead may extend from one end of the coil spring and a second conductive lead may extend from another, opposite end of the coil spring and the leads may electrically couple to one of the caps60,70. In operation, the fuel level sensor100may generally be used to determine a fuel level in a fuel tank. In an example operation of the fuel level sensor100, a fuel level of a fuel tank may be at a particular level, and as described, the float arm50and external float80may be displaced at particular height in the fuel tank based on these components floating on the fuel surface. Because the float arm50is coupled to the sealed housing10, the sealed housing10may be at a pivot angle associated with the fuel level. A buoyant force may be applied to the internal float30based on the pivot angle. In turn the internal float30may provide a tension to the coil spring20to extend the coil spring20a particular amount and thereby determine the resistance of the coil spring20. An external circuit coupled to one or both of the caps60,70of the fuel level sensor100may determine the resistance of the conductive path90and based on the resistance of the conductive path90, determine the fuel level. In some examples, the external circuit may determine the resistance of the coil spring20from the resistance of the conductive path90and determine the fuel level from the resistance of the coil spring20.

As the fuel level of the fuel tank changes, the height of the float arm50and external float80resting on the fuel surface may change as well, and during this change, the float arm50may rotate the sealed housing10about the fixed point. This rotation may change the orientation of the sealed housing10such that the sealed housing is more vertically orientated or more horizontally orientated, thereby changing the buoyant force applied to the internal float30. The change in buoyant force may adjust the tension applied to the coil spring20and in turn adjust the resistance of the coil spring20by expanding or retracting the coil spring20. As one or both of the caps60,70may be coupled to an external circuit, described above, the resistance of the conductive path90may be used to determine the new fuel level of the fuel tank.

With reference toFIG. 1, the fuel level sensor100is shown in a position in an instance in which a fuel tank has a low fuel level (e.g., the fuel tank is empty or near empty). Due to the low fuel level, the pivot angle of the sealed housing10is relatively small (e.g., 0 degrees), resulting in a low buoyant force being applied to the internal float30and consequently, a low tension being applied to the coil spring20. The coil spring20may be in a retracted state where most or all of the coils of the coil spring20are electrically coupled to one another, causing the coil spring20to have a relatively low resistance.

With reference toFIG. 2, the fuel level sensor100is shown in a position in an instance in which a fuel tank has a moderate fuel level (e.g., the fuel tank is approximately half full). Due to the moderate fuel level, the pivot angle of the sealed housing10is moderate (e.g., 45 degrees), resulting in a moderate buoyant force being applied to the internal float30and consequently, a moderate tension being applied to the coil spring20. The coil spring20may be in a moderately expanded state where a portion of the coils of the coil spring20are separated, causing the coil spring20to have a moderate resistance.

With reference toFIG. 3, the fuel level sensor100is shown in a position in an instance in which a fuel tank has a high fuel level (e.g., the fuel tank is near full or full). Due to the high fuel level, the pivot angle of the sealed housing10is relatively large (e.g., 90 degrees), resulting in a high buoyant force being applied to the internal float30and consequently, a high tension being applied to the coil spring20. The coil spring20may be in an expanded state where most or all of the coils of the coil spring20are separated, causing the coil spring20to have a relatively high resistance.

While the range of pivot angles discussed with respect toFIGS. 1-3spans from approximately 0 to 90 degrees, in some examples, the fuel level sensor100may operate over any range of pivot angles. For example, the fuel level sensor100may operate over a range spanning from 30 to 60 degrees such that a 30 degree angle corresponds to a low fuel level, a 45 degree angle corresponds to a moderate fuel level, and a 60 degree angle corresponds to a high fuel level.

According to alternative implementations, the coil spring20and balance spring40may be reversed compared to their arrangement shown inFIGS. 1-3, and the coil spring20may join to the connection cap70and the balance spring40may join to the connection cap60proximate the pivot point of the device. Consequently, although buoyant movement of the internal float30results in movement of the coil spring20and the balance spring40, as internal float30moves towards the connection cap70(e.g., upon a pivoting movement of the fuel level sensor100towards vertical), a retraction force may be applied to the coil spring20as the windings of the coil spring20retract or relax towards the connection cap70resulting in a relatively low resistance. In this alternative arrangement, as the internal float30moves towards the connection cap, an expansion force may be applied to the balance spring40causing the windings of the balance spring40to expand. Although not described in detail, this alternative arrangement of the fuel level sensor components within the sealed housing10may enable sensing of fuel levels within a fuel tank using a reverse approach compared to the approach described in connection withFIGS. 1-3, and in this alternative arrangement, high fuel levels may correspond to relatively low resistance readings, moderate fuel levels may correspond to relatively moderate resistance readings, and low fuel levels may correspond to relatively high resistance readings.

Examples directed to the conductive path90have been described herein as including the coil spring20, internal float30, and balance spring40coupled in series. In some examples, a coil spring may be arranged coaxially relative to the balance spring40. Accordingly,FIG. 4is a diagram of a cross-sectional view of a fuel level sensor200in a first position according to another implementation of the present disclosure. The fuel level sensor200includes elements that have been previously described with respect to the fuel level sensor100ofFIGS. 1-3. Those elements have been shown inFIGS. 4-6using the same reference numbers used inFIGS. 1-3and operation of the common elements is as previously described unless otherwise specified.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the coil spring20and balance spring40may be coupled (e.g., in series) at a “coupling point” and one or more of the coil spring20and the balance spring40may be coupled to the internal float30at or near the coupling point. The remaining ends of each of the coil spring20and the balance spring40may be coupled to the connection cap70. In some examples, the coil spring20may be coaxially located within the balance spring40. In other examples, the coil spring20may be coaxially located outside of the balance spring40.

As described in further detail below, the coil spring20and the balance spring40may form a conductive path90. Accordingly, in some examples, the coil spring20and the balance spring40may be configured to be electrically isolated from one another except at the coupling point. For example, the coil spring20and the balance spring40may be spaced apart coaxially such that, save for the coupling point, neither spring20,40physically contacts the other despite any expansion or retraction of either the coil spring20and the balance spring40during operation. In another embodiment, a layer comprising dielectric material may be located between the coil spring20and the balance spring40.

Because the internal float30may be coupled to the coil spring20and/or the balance spring40at the coupling point, in response to a buoyant force, the internal float30moves towards the connection cap70, and the internal float30may apply a corresponding compression force to the coil spring20and the balance spring40to retract the coil spring20and/or the balance spring40towards the connection cap70. In some examples, increasing the force applied to the balance spring40may further relax the balance spring. As described, the sealed housing10may be rotated about a fixed point as defined by the pivot cap60. As the sealed housing10is rotated, the magnitude of the compression force applied by the internal float30may be adjusted. By way of example, the more vertical the orientation of the sealed housing10relative to the fuel tank, the greater the force applied by the internal float30, and conversely, the more horizontal the orientation of the sealed housing10relative to the fuel tank, the lesser the force applied by the internal float30. In this manner, both the coil spring20and the balance spring40may be expanded and retracted by the internal float30. As a result, the resistance of the coil spring20may be decreased and increased, respectively.

The connection cap70may be conductive and/or may include electric terminals coupled to each of the coil spring20and the balance spring40, respectively. For example, the connection cap70may include wires coupled to the coil spring20and balance spring40, respectively, and extending out of the sealed housing10through the connection cap70. Thus, a conductive path90may be formed between terminals of the connection cap70, via a first terminal, the coil spring20, the balance spring40, and a second terminal. Because the connection cap70may include wires extending out of the sealed housing10, the conductive path90may be accessible to one or more external circuits (not shown inFIG. 4). Moreover, because the internal float30may apply a force during operation, the resistance of the conductive path90may be adjusted as the coil spring20expands and retracts. Briefly, a range of fuel levels in the fuel tank may therefore correspond to a range of resistances of the conductive path90, and more specifically, to a range of resistances of the coil spring20

While the conductive path90of fuel level sensor200has been described as including connection cap70, coil spring20, and balance spring40, it will be appreciated that in some embodiments one or more components of the conductive path90may be omitted and/or one or more components may be added to the conductive path90. For example, in one embodiment, the balance spring40may be omitted such that the conductive path includes the connection cap70, the coil spring20, and a wire coupled between the coil spring20and the connection cap70. In another embodiment, the conductive path90may include one or more resistors to increase the overall resistance.

In operation, the fuel level sensor200may generally be used to determine a fuel level in a fuel tank. In an example operation of the fuel level sensor200, a fuel level of a fuel tank may be at a particular level, and as described, the float arm50and the external float80may be displaced at particular height as the float80rests on a surface of the fuel. Because the float arm50is coupled to the sealed housing10, the sealed housing10may be at a pivot angle associated with the fuel level. A buoyant force may be applied to the internal float30based on the pivot angle. In turn the float30may move towards the connection cap70and provide a force on the coil spring20and the balance spring40to compress the coil spring20a particular amount, and thereby determine the resistance of the coil spring20. An external circuit coupled to terminals of the connection cap70of the fuel level sensor200may determine the resistance of the conductive path between the terminals of the connection cap70and based on the resistance of the conductive path may determine the fuel level. In some examples, the external circuit may determine the resistance of the coil spring20from the resistance of the conductive path and determine the fuel level from the resistance of the coil spring20.

As the fuel level of the fuel tank changes, the height of the float arm50may change as well, and the float arm50may rotate the sealed housing10about the fixed point. This rotation may change the orientation of the sealed housing10such that the sealed housing is more vertically orientated or more horizontally orientated, thereby changing the buoyant force applied to the internal float30. The change in buoyant force may adjust the force applied to the coil spring20and in turn adjust the resistance of the coil spring20by expanding or retracting the coil spring20. As terminals of the connection cap70may be coupled to an external circuit, described above, the resistance of the conductive path may be used to determine the new fuel level of the fuel tank.

With reference toFIG. 4, the fuel level sensor200is shown in a position in an instance in which a fuel tank has a low fuel level (e.g., the fuel tank is empty or near empty). Due to the low fuel level, the pivot angle of the sealed housing10is relatively small (e.g., 0 degrees), resulting in a low buoyant force being applied to the internal float30and consequently, a low force being applied to the coil spring20. The coil spring20may be in an expanded state where most or all of the coils of the coil spring20are separated, causing the coil spring20to have a relatively high resistance.

With reference toFIG. 5, the fuel level sensor200is shown in a position in an instance in which a fuel tank has a moderate fuel level (e.g., the fuel tank is approximately half full). Due to the moderate fuel level, the pivot angle of the sealed housing10is moderate (e.g., 45 degrees), resulting in a moderate buoyant force being applied to the internal float30and consequently, a moderate force being applied to the coil spring20. The coil spring20may be in a moderately expanded state where a portion of the coils of the coil spring20are separated, causing the coil spring20to have a moderate resistance.

With reference toFIG. 6, the fuel level sensor200is shown in a position in an instance in which a fuel tank has a high fuel level (e.g., the fuel tank is near full or full). Due to the high fuel level, the pivot angle of the sealed housing10is relatively large (e.g., 90 degrees), resulting in a high buoyant force being applied to the internal float30and consequently, a high force being applied to the coil spring20. The coil spring20may be in a retracted state where most or all of the coils of the coil spring20are electrically coupled to one another, causing the coil spring20to have a relatively low resistance.

According to alternative implementations, the coil spring20and balance spring40may be coupled as described above in connection withFIGS. 4-6, and each may join at one end to the internal float30at or near the coupling point, but the other end of each of the coil spring20and the balance spring40couple to the connection cap60instead of joining to the connection cap70as withFIGS. 4-6. Thus, one end of each of the springs20,40joins to the connection cap60proximate the pivot point of the device. Consequently, because the buoyant movement of the internal float30results in movement of the coil spring20and balance spring40, as internal float30moves towards the connection cap70(e.g., upon a pivoting movement of the fuel level sensor200towards vertical), the internal float30may apply a corresponding expansion force to the coil spring20and the balance spring40to expand the coil spring20and/or the balance spring40resulting in a change in resistance, particularly an increase in resistance due to the windings of the coil spring separating. The connection cap60may be configured similarly to the connection cap70, particularly as described in connection withFIGS. 4-6, and may be conductive and/or may include electric terminals coupled to each of the coil spring20and the balance spring40, respectively, to form a conductive path for joining to a sensor externally arranged relative to the sealed housing10. This alternative arrangement of the fuel level sensor components within the sealed housing10may enable sensing of fuel levels within a fuel tank using a reverse approach compared to the approach described in connection withFIGS. 4-6, and in this alternative arrangement, high fuel levels may correspond to relatively high resistance readings, moderate fuel levels may correspond to relatively moderate resistance readings, and low fuel levels may correspond to relatively low resistance readings.