Fuel tank float

Abstract: A fuel tank float for use with gasoline-­ alcohol mixtures comprising a closed container formed of a material resistant to such mixtures and filled with a slurry of a low specific gravity material such as hollow glass beads in a medium substantially similar to the gasoline-alcohol mixture to be gauged therewith.

Description: The instant invention relates to fuel tank floats for use with gasoline-alcohol fuels. Known fuel tank floats are often made of brass or various types of foam rubber. Brass presents a problem due to its high cost. Foam rubber is available cheaply, but decomposes in gasoline-alcohol mixtures. JP-A-6153521 discloses a float for measuring levels of oil, the float comprising a polyamide foam moulded body. US-A-3145727 discloses an automatic liquid level control device having a substantially hollow spherical float. WO-A-8002592, on which the precharacterising portion of appended claim 1 is based, discloses a float for use in tank gauging systems, the float comprising a shell formed of a mixture of epoxy resin and miniature glass balloons and a core of foamed urethane. The object of the instant invention is to provide an inexpensive fuel tank float that does not decompose in gasoline-alcohol mixtures and still maintains its desired specific gravity if the float develops a leak. According to the present invention there is provided a float for gauging the level of a gasoline-alcohol fuel in a tank, said float comprising a closed container composed of a first material resistant to said fuel; and a second material in said container having a specific gravity lower than said fuel; characterised in that said second material is in a slurry with a medium substantially similar to said fuel. The specific gravity of the aforementioned low specific gravity material is low enough to provide sufficient buoyancy for the entire float. Preferably the second material comprises hollow spherical glass beads. The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a cross sectional view of a float in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 2 is an enlarged view of circle 2 of FIG. 1 of this float interior, showing in detail the arrangement of the low specific gravity material. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION As seen in FIG. 1, a float 8, in accordance with the preferred construction embodiment of this invention comprises a plastic container 10 and cap 12 formed of a material that is resistant to gasoline-alcohol mixtures. In accordance with one feature of this instant invention, the container 10 is filled with a slurry of a low specific gravity material such as hollow glass beads 14 in a gasoline-alcohol medium 16 substantially similar to the fuel (not shown) being gauged. The beads 14 have a low enough specific gravity so that the filled closed container 10 is buoyant in the fuel (not shown) being gauged. The gasoline-alcohol medium 16 prevents an inflow of fuel, and a corresponding change in the specific gravity of the float 8, should the float 8 leak. The cap 12 is snap fit, screwed, or ultrasonically welded to the container.

Claims: A float (8) for gauging the level of a gasoline-alcohol fuel in a tank, said float (8) comprising a closed container (10) composed of a first material resistant to said fuel; and a second material (14) in said container having a specific gravity lower than said fuel; characterised in that said second material (14) is in a slurry with a medium (16) substantially similar to said fuel. A fuel tank float according to claim 1 wherein said second material (14) comprises hollow spherical glass beads.

Inventors: MILLER PAUL H, RERICHA BRIAN F, MILLER, PAUL H., RERICHA, BRIAN F.
Applicants: MACROTECH FLUID SEALING INC, MACROTECH FLUID SEALING, INC.
Application year: 1989
Main classification: G01F23
IPC codes: G01F23