| US 7,542,870 B2 | ||
| Immersed fuel level sensor | ||
| Lawrence B. Reimer, Janesville, Wis. (US); and Gregory P. Murphy, Janesville, Wis. (US) | ||
| Assigned to SSI Technologies, Inc., Janesville, Wis. (US) | ||
| Filed on Feb. 28, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/365,548. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2007/0203668 A1, Aug. 30, 2007 | ||
| Int. Cl. G01B 7/00 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 702—155 | 11 Claims |
| 1. A module for determining a liquid level within a container of an automobile, the module comprising:
a first transducer configured to be submerged within a liquid in the container;
a second transducer configured to be submerged within the liquid in the container;
a horn having a first end and a second end separated from the first end by a first distance, and positioned to guide ultrasonic
impulses; and
a controller configured to control the first transducer and the second transducer in a first mode and a second mode, and determine
a quantity indicative of the liquid level within the container based on a first time of flight and a second time of flight,
in the first mode, the controller is configured to generate a first electric signal and receive a second electric signal,
the first transducer is configured to generate a first ultrasonic impulse in response to the first electric signal, and the
second transducer is configured to sense a first reflected ultrasonic impulse and generate the second electric signal, wherein
the first reflected ultrasonic impulse is a reflection of the first ultrasonic impulse,
in the second mode, the controller is configured to generate a third electric signal and receive a fourth electric signal,
the second transducer is configured to generate a second ultrasonic impulse in response to the third electric signal, and
the first transducer is configured to sense a second reflected ultrasonic impulse and generate the fourth electric signal,
wherein the second reflected ultrasonic impulse is a reflection of the second ultrasonic impulse,
the controller further configured to switch between the first mode and the second mode.
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