Apparatus for determining a stabilized filling level with an antechamber and calming structure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9850792-B2
Application number	US-201414502678-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 30, 2014
Priority date	Sep 30, 2013
Publication date	Dec 26, 2017
Grant date	Dec 26, 2017

Abstract

A device for determining a filling level of a container is provided, having a damping cup, a measuring section extending vertically inside the damping cup, and having an ultrasound converter arranged at its lower end region, and at least one antechamber. A calming structure is arranged in at least a part of at least one antechamber, to achieve as much degassing of the liquid as possible. The part of the antechamber having the calming structure is designed to be open towards the top over a large area and is connected, via a venting channel, with a vent in the upper region of the device.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A device for determining a filling level in a container, the device comprising:
a damping cup;
a measuring section extending vertically inside the damping cup;
an ultrasound converter arranged at its a lower end region of the measuring section; and
at least one antechamber,
wherein a calming structure is arranged in at least a part of the at least one antechamber,
wherein the part of the antechamber comprising the calming structure is designed to be completely open towards the top and is connected, via a venting channel, with a vent in the upper region of the device,
wherein the first antechamber surrounds the measuring section like a ring,
wherein the venting channel surrounds the measuring section above the first antechamber like a ring, in cross-section,
wherein an upper end region of a wall of the measuring section tapers inwards inside a detachable cap and is inclined towards the inside, and
wherein the upper end region has an upper termination forming an open ring, which is oriented horizontally and without contact to other parts within the detachable cap.

2. The device according to one of claim 1 , wherein the antechamber comprises a first antechamber and an inlet opening, and comprises a second antechamber which is connected with the first antechamber and the measuring section.

3. The device according to claim 2 , wherein an inlet opening is present on one side, and an outlet opening is present on the opposite side.

4. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the calming structure comprises a star-shaped inner region and projections reaching from the outside into the free regions of the star-shaped inner region.

5. The device according to claim 1 , wherein an upper termination of the wall of the measuring section is higher compared to a lower termination of an annular shield extending downwards from the top and separating the upper end region of the wall of the measuring section from the vent.

6. The device according to claim 5 , wherein the device comprises the detachable cap in the upper region, which comprises the vent.

7. The device according to claim 5 , wherein a receiving space is present below the vent, which surrounds the upper end region of the wall.

8. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the measuring section is shaped like a truncated cone at its foot.

9. An engine, in particular a motor vehicle engine, comprising the device according to claim 1 .

10. A motor vehicle comprising the device according to claim 1 .

Assignees

• Hella Kgaa Hueck & Co

Inventors

• Niemann Thomas
• Palloks Jurgen

Classifications

• F01M11/12 Primary

  concerning lubricant level · CPC title

• G01F23/0046

  with a stationary probe, where a liquid specimen is separated from the mean mass and measured (by gauge glasses G01F23/02) · CPC title

• F01M11/06

  Means for keeping lubricant level constant or for accommodating movement or position of machines or engines · CPC title

• F02D1/00

  Controlling fuel-injection pumps, e.g. of high pressure injection type (F02D3/00 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B60K2015/03217

  Fuel level sensors · CPC title