Abstract: A fuel level indication assembly for a fuel tank includes at least one ultrasonic sensor having a drum to emit and receive a sonic signal. The at least one ultrasonic sensor is adapted to be disposed in either one of a liquid fuel and a fuel vapor/air space within the fuel tank to measure a level of liquid fuel within the fuel tank.

Abstract: A fuel level indication assembly for a fuel tank includes at least one ultrasonic sensor having a drum to emit and receive a sonic signal. The at least one ultrasonic sensor is adapted to be disposed in either one of a liquid fuel and a fuel vapor/air space within the fuel tank to measure a level of liquid fuel within the fuel tank.

Abstract: This invention discloses an apparatus and method of determining the temperature of the core of an inductive coil sensor so that the effective inductance of the coil sensor can be temperature compensated to thereby provide an accurate measure of the level of fuel in a tank. The method comprises energizing the sensor with a prescribed voltage, de-energizing the sensor, measuring the resultant voltage across the sensor, and determining the core temperature from the measured resultant voltage across the sensor.

Abstract: An electronic returnless fuel system for a vehicle includes a fuel pump to pump fuel from a fuel tank. The electronic returnless fuel system also includes a fuel rail fluidly connected to the fuel pump to distribute the fuel to an engine of the vehicle and a pressure transducer to sense pressure of the fuel from the fuel pump to the fuel rail. The electronic returnless fuel system includes a controller electrically connected to the pressure transducer and the fuel pump to control the pressure of the fuel from the fuel pump to the fuel rail at a set operating pressure. The electronic returnless fuel system further includes a pressure relief valve interconnecting the fuel pump and the fuel rail set a predetermined amount below the set operating pressure to leak fuel back into the fuel tank.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for utilizing an inductive coil fluid level sensor to measure the temperature of the fuel, or fuel vapors, in a fuel tank depending upon the location of the sensor within the tank. The inductive coil sensor is connected to a Fuel Control Unit containing the sensor electronics to drive the inductive coil sensor and read the corresponding fuel or fuel vapor temperature.

Abstract: This invention discloses an apparatus and method of determining the temperature of the core of an inductive coil sensor so that the effective inductance of the coil sensor can be temperature compensated to thereby provide an accurate measure of the level of fuel in a tank. The method comprises energizing the sensor with a prescribed voltage, de-energizing the sensor, measuring the resultant voltage across the sensor, and determining the core temperature from the measured resultant voltage across the sensor.

Abstract: An electronic returnless fuel system for a vehicle includes a fuel pump to pump fuel from a fuel tank. The electronic returnless fuel system also includes a fuel rail fluidly connected to the fuel pump to distribute the fuel to an engine of the vehicle and a pressure transducer to sense pressure of the fuel from the fuel pump to the fuel rail. The electronic returnless fuel system includes a controller electrically connected to the pressure transducer and the fuel pump to control the pressure of the fuel from the fuel pump to the fuel rail at a set operating pressure. The electronic returnless fuel system further includes a pressure relief valve interconnecting the fuel pump and the fuel rail set a predetermined amount above the set operating pressure and at least one jet pump disposed in the fuel tank and fluidly connected to the pressure relief valve.

Abstract: An inductive coil is disclosed comprising a bobbin and a coil encircling the bobbin. The coil encircling the bobbin defines at least one layer of coil extending over a first portion of the bobbin. At least one other layer of the coil extends over less than the first portion of the bobbin. A method of constructing a coil sensor including a bobbin comprises beginning at a first location on the bobbin, encircling the bobbin with a coil defining thereby at least one layer of the coil, the at least one layer extending over a first portion of the bobbin; wherein at least one other layer of the coil extends over a second portion of the bobbin less than the first portion of the bobbin.

Abstract: An electronic returnless fuel system for a vehicle includes a fuel pump to pump fuel from a fuel tank. The electronic returnless fuel system also includes a fuel rail fluidly connected to the fuel pump to distribute the fuel to an engine of the vehicle and a pressure transducer to sense pressure of the fuel from the fuel pump to the fuel rail. The electronic returnless fuel system includes a controller electrically connected to the pressure transducer and the fuel pump to control the pressure of the fuel from the fuel pump to the fuel rail at a set operating pressure. The electronic returnless fuel system further includes a pressure relief valve interconnecting the fuel pump and the fuel rail set a predetermined amount above the set operating pressure and at least one jet pump disposed in the fuel tank and fluidly connected to the pressure relief valve.

Abstract: An electronic returnless fuel system for a vehicle includes a fuel pump to pump fuel from a fuel tank. The electronic returnless fuel system also includes a fuel rail fluidly connected to the fuel pump to distribute the fuel to an engine of the vehicle and a pressure transducer to sense pressure of the fuel from the fuel pump to the fuel rail. The electronic returnless fuel system includes a controller electrically connected to the pressure transducer and the fuel pump to control the pressure of the fuel from the fuel pump to the fuel rail at a set operating pressure. The electronic returnless fuel system further includes a pressure relief valve interconnecting the fuel pump and the fuel rail set a predetermined amount below the set operating pressure to leak fuel back into the fuel tank.