Patent ID: 7360529

Claim:
A generator system for providing power to a load, the generator system comprising; a motor generator that generates output power to power the load; a fuel tank operatively coupled to the motor generator to supply fuel to the motor generator, the fuel tank having an inner bottom surface; and a fuel pickup and sensor assembly including: a mounting device that couples to the fuel tank to mount the fuel pickup and sensor assembly on the fuel tank; a fuel pickup tube coupled to the mounting device to support the fuel pickup tube in the fuel tank, wherein the fuel pickup tube includes an inlet to receive fuel from the fuel tank and an outlet to couple to the motor generator to provide fuel to the motor generator, wherein the fuel pickup tube is constructed and arranged such that the inlet is at a fixed height above the inner bottom surface of the fuel tank and positioned to prevent drawing fluid into the fuel pickup tube from the inner bottom surface of the tank; and a fuel sensor coupled to the mounting device, the fuel sensor having an output to provide an output level indicative of a level of fuel in the fuel tank; wherein the fuel pickup tube is constructed and arranged such that a rigid part of the fuel pickup tube contacts the inner bottom surface of the tank at a first location.