A switching device includes a first enclosure containing a switch, a rod-shaped second enclosure having a second end connected to the first enclosure, a detector unit in the second enclosure, and a float disposed around the second enclosure and capable of moving along it. As the float moves from the first end of the second enclosure toward the second end, when the float enters a first position range, a first position sensor senses the float and transmits a first sensing signal to a detection circuit; when the float enters a second position range, a second position sensor senses the float and transmits a second sensing signal to the detection circuit. The detection circuit close a switch in response to the second sensing signal to turn on an external appliance. The switching device is flexible, reliable, and inexpensive to produce.

A switching device includes a first enclosure containing a switch, a rod-shaped second enclosure having a second end connected to the first enclosure, a detector unit in the second enclosure, and a float disposed around the second enclosure and capable of moving along it. As the float moves from the first end of the second enclosure toward the second end, when the float enters a first position range, a first position sensor senses the float and transmits a first sensing signal to a detection circuit; when the float enters a second position range, a second position sensor senses the float and transmits a second sensing signal to the detection circuit. The detection circuit close a switch in response to the second sensing signal to turn on an external appliance. The switching device is flexible, reliable, and inexpensive to produce.

A liquid level measuring device for measuring a liquid level in a container, the device including a housing, a spool means mounted to the housing and movable during operation, a line attached to the spool means, the line windable onto and from the spool means, a float attached to the end or adjacent the end of the line, a sensor to detect a change in the tension in the line, the sensor is mounted to the housing and is operatively associated with the line, and a measuring means to measure the length of the line that is unspooled from the spool means when a predetermined change in tension in the line is detected, the predetermined change is when the float has reached the liquid level in the container, wherein in use, the line is unspooled from the spool means causing the float to move away from the housing, and wherein when a predetermined change in tension in the line is detected the measuring means measures the length of line that has unspooled from the spool means.

A tank fill control apparatus comprising: a tank-installed switch, including: a tubular body including an upper end, a lower end, and an annular mounting flange on an outer surface between the upper end and the lower end; a liquid level sensor including a detector, a float in and moveable along a length of the lower end and a rod connecting the float to the detector, the liquid level sensor configured to sense a liquid level relative to the lower end and further configured to generate a signal when at least a maximum selected liquid level is sensed; and a control unit in communication with the tank-installed switch including: a liquid level monitoring function for receiving the signal from the liquid level sensor; and a control function for generating at least one of (i) an alert signal indicating that the maximum selected liquid level is sensed and (ii) a valve control to modify a fill operation from a tank fill system.

A tank fill control apparatus comprising: a tank-installed switch, including: a tubular body including an upper end, a lower end, and an annular mounting flange on an outer surface between the upper end and the lower end; a liquid level sensor including a detector, a float in and moveable along a length of the lower end and a rod connecting the float to the detector, the liquid level sensor configured to sense a liquid level relative to the lower end and further configured to generate a signal when at least a maximum selected liquid level is sensed; and a control unit in communication with the tank-installed switch including: a liquid level monitoring function for receiving the signal from the liquid level sensor; and a control function for generating at least one of (i) an alert signal indicating that the maximum selected liquid level is sensed and (ii) a valve control to modify a fill operation from a tank fill system.

A method for evaluating an effective component content (C) of a reducing agent for engine exhaust gas processing arranged in a container (205) in which a heat transfer provision arrangement (240) is provided, including steps of: determining (s410; s420) a prevailing volume (V) and temperature (T1) of the reducing agent in the container (205); determining (s430) a prevailing temperature (T2) of the heat transfer provision arrangement (240); determining (s440) a prevailing temperature (T3) of a medium surrounding the container (205); for a predetermined time period, determining (s450) a mean temperature change rate (Tprim) for the reducing agent; and determining (s460) the effective component content (C) of the reducing agent on the basis of the above determined parameters.

A method for evaluating an effective component content (C) of a reducing agent for engine exhaust gas processing arranged in a container (205) in which a heat transfer provision arrangement (240) is provided, including steps of: determining (s410; s420) a prevailing volume (V) and temperature (T1) of the reducing agent in the container (205); determining (s430) a prevailing temperature (T2) of the heat transfer provision arrangement (240); determining (s440) a prevailing temperature (T3) of a medium surrounding the container (205); for a predetermined time period, determining (s450) a mean temperature change rate (Tprim) for the reducing agent; and determining (s460) the effective component content (C) of the reducing agent on the basis of the above determined parameters.

A fluid level monitor incorporated into a fuel tank. A sensor module is adapted to being mounted to an exterior of the tank. A tube extends from the module within the tank and secures a housing at an interior location. The housing has a gear assembly, a float arm pivotally secures to the gear assembly and, in response to changes in a fluid level of the tank, causes the gear assembly to rotate a drive rod extending within the tube. A coupler forms a portion of the sensor module and is secured to an upper end of the drive rod. Rotation of the coupler relative to a PCB integrated into the sensor module produces an inductive signal indicative of the amount of displacement of the float and, consequently, the level of the fluid within the tank.

A fluid level monitor incorporated into a fuel tank. A sensor module is adapted to being mounted to an exterior of the tank. A tube extends from the module within the tank and secures a housing at an interior location. The housing has a gear assembly, a float arm pivotally secures to the gear assembly and, in response to changes in a fluid level of the tank, causes the gear assembly to rotate a drive rod extending within the tube. A coupler forms a portion of the sensor module and is secured to an upper end of the drive rod. Rotation of the coupler relative to a PCB integrated into the sensor module produces an inductive signal indicative of the amount of displacement of the float and, consequently, the level of the fluid within the tank.

A device for measuring the level of a material (e.g., a liquid) in a tank is disclosed. An example device includes a non-buoyant flexible member and a plurality of sensor nodes distributed along the length of the flexible member. The sensor nodes are configured to indicate a change in orientation. A buoyant float provides a generally U-shape configuration for the flexible member, and causes an increasing number of the sensing nodes to depart from a substantially vertical orientation as the level of the material rises within the storage tank. A monitor is configured to monitor a signal indicating the change in orientation of the sensor nodes. As such, the device may be implemented to conveniently and accurately measure the liquid level in the tank.