The invention relates to devices for detecting the fill level of media in containers.

The devices are distinguished, in particular, by a simple and reliable detection of the fill level.

For this purpose, multiple measuring points, each consisting of a series circuit of a resistor and a p-n junction, are spaced apart from one another. Each measuring point is connected, on the one hand, to an input of a multiplexer. On the other hand, the measuring points are connected to a reference potential. The output of the multiplexer is connected to a control device, wherein the control device is a control device periodically supplying a voltage to the measuring point connected to the control device via the multiplexer and measuring the voltage drop, a control device determining the medium from the temperature-dependent forward voltages resulting from the different thermal properties of the medium and a control device ascertaining the fill level from the consecutive measuring points.

System and method for controlling operation of a vehicle having a fluid reservoir. The system includes one or more fluid level indicators configured to respectively obtain a measured fluid level in the fluid reservoir. A plurality of sensors is operatively connected to the vehicle and configured to respectively obtain one or more parameters. A controller is configured to determine if a fluid level transition between the measured fluid level and a past fluid level is indicated, when there is exactly one fluid level indicator. The controller is configured to identify a reporting state from among a first state, a second state and a third state, based in part on a correlation to a dynamic event and an expected direction for the fluid level transition. A control action is executed by the controller based in part on the reporting state.

A leveling nipple for a tank may include a first pipe that includes a curved portion discharging air inside the tank to an outlet pipe when a fluid is supplied to the tank; and a second pipe that discharges air inside the tank to the outlet pipe when the fluid is supplied to the tank and is connected to the curved portion of the first pipe, wherein the second pipe includes a diversion portion that guides the fluid flowing into the second pipe to the first pipe.

A pump assembly for a liquid trap of a vehicle fuel tank assembly includes a pump configured to couple to the liquid trap and selectively drain liquid therefrom, a sensor configured to monitor an inductive signature of the pump, and a controller programmed to operate the pump and monitor the inductive signature to determine if liquid is present in the liquid trap based on the monitored inductive signature.

An ultrasonic fuel supplying apparatus includes an ultrasonic fuel tank including a fuel storing space for accommodating a fuel and a fuel atomizing space for accommodating an atomized fuel, an input pipe for supplying the fuel from an external main fuel tank to the ultrasonic fuel tank, at least one ultrasonic transducer arranged at a lower portion of the ultrasonic fuel tank and configured to atomize the fuel accommodated in the fuel storing space, an ultrasonic transducer controller configured to drive the at least one ultrasonic transducer, an output pipe for supplying atomized fuel from the ultrasonic fuel tank to an external fuel injection unit, and an output pipe extending unit extended from the output pipe into the fuel atomizing space and including an opening at a distal end.

Methods and systems are described for a fuel system in an engine comprising two lift pumps. One example method comprises deactivating one of a first lift pump and a second lift pump if fuel fill level in a common reservoir decreases below a threshold fill level, wherein the first lift pump and the second lift pump are positioned in the common reservoir. By deactivating one of the two lift pumps, the two lift pumps may be protected from degradation due to fuel starvation.

A vapour recovery system recovers vapour coming from a vehicle tank. The system includes a valve that is positionable in a closed position, an open position creating a passageway with a first size, and one or more intermediate positions each creating a passageway with a size smaller than the first size. The system also includes an electronic controller to control an actuator to position the valve in a sequence of positions over time. The sequence includes at least one of the intermediate positions during a time period larger than 1 second. The valve is arranged in a line of the vapour recovery system between a vapour outlet of the vehicle tank and the atmosphere. The actuator is a stepper-motor based linear actuator. The controlling includes selecting at least one intermediate position, and the selection includes selecting a number of steps to be set from a predetermined reference position.

Intake arrangement for an internal combustion engine for the intake of a liquid medium from a container, having a strainer, via which liquid medium can be taken in from the container, and at least one suction pipe which opens with a first end into the strainer and via which the liquid medium can be delivered towards a suction pump, which interacts with the respective suction pipe. The suction pipe is mounted at a second end that faces away from the strainer such that it can be pivoted about an axis such that the suction pipe follows a movement of the liquid within the container.

Methods and systems are provided for conducting an evaporative emissions test on a fuel system and an emissions control system in a vehicle. In one example, in response to an indication that a vehicle parking condition may result in the isolation of the fuel system from the emissions control system via the unintentional closing of fuel tank valves, a vehicle's active suspension system may be employed in order to level the vehicle a determined amount such that the fuel system isolation issues may be mitigated prior to an evaporative emissions test procedure. In this way, the entire fuel system and emissions control system may be diagnosed for potential undesired emissions, and potential violations of regulatory requirements for evaporative emissions testing may be reduced.

A fuel storage assembly includes a power source, a first tank, a fuel pump, an electric relay, a second tank, and a shut-off device. The fuel pump is adapted to remove fuel from the first tank. The electric relay is electrically connected between the power source and the fuel pump for terminating electric power to the fuel pump. The second tank is adapted to receive the fuel removed from the first tank. The shut-off device is located in the second tank and is electrically connected to the electric relay, and is configured to detect a shut-off level of fuel in the second tank. Upon detection of the shut-off level, the shut-off device effects shut-down of the fuel pump via the electric relay.