FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
As amended by the Patents (Amendment) Act, 2002
and
The Patents Rules, 2003
As amended by the Patents (Amendment) Rules 2016
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (Section 10 and Rule 13)
TITLE OF THE INVENTION A fuel tank for a generator
APPLICANTS
MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA LIMITED, an Indian company of Mahindra & Mahindra Limited, GATEWAY BUILDING, APOLLO BUNDER, MUMBAI -400001, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA
PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the
manner in which it is to be performed.

TITLE OF THE INVENTION
A fuel tank for a generator
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a tank for storing fuels.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Generators are widely used to supply back-up or emergency power during a power outage, thereby preventing any disruption in electrical operations of an electrical system.
[003] A common type of generator available is an integral unit which comprises a base tank for storing fuel, and an engine mounted/supported on the base tank. In such a configuration, the tank has a low-profile rectangular design. Due to the low profile, capacity of the tank is limited. Considering capacity or running time of the generator is largely dependent on capacity of the fuel tank, it is critical to monitor level of fuel in the fuel tank to ensure that the generator is serviceable during the power outage. Also, there are several instances of fuel being siphoned from the fuel tank, especially during refilling operations, which results in huge losses, and thus monitoring level of fuel is critical at all times.
[004] Float sensors are installed in the fuel tanks to determine the level of fuel in the tank. However, the float sensors are not accurate in measuring the level of fuel. Additionally, due to low profile of the tank, float sensors cannot be

calibrated to measure small amounts of fuel removed from them. Also, adulteration of the fuel remains undetected.
[005] In view of the above, there is a need for a fuel system for generator sets that overcomes at-least the aforementioned problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[006] In one aspect, the present invention provides a fuel tank for a generator. The tank comprises a tank body, at-least one detector disposed within the tank for monitoring the fuel stored/present within the tank and a processing unit connected with the detector for determining parameters of fuel stored within the tank based on the fuel monitored by the detector. The tank body is formed by plurality of opposing side panels, a top panel and a bottom panel. Each of the side panels extend between the top panel and the bottom panel such that height of the tank is greater than overall length or width of the tank.
[007] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for monitoring parameters of fuel in a fuel tank. The method comprises the steps of determining capacitance value of the fuel by at-least one capacitive sensor disposed within the fuel tank, receiving by a processing unit the capacitance value obtained by the capacitive sensor followed by converting the capacitance value to a voltage value and determine parameters of fuel by comparing the voltage value with a range of pre-stored voltage values, each voltage value corresponding with level of fuel in tank.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[008] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 shows a fuel tank in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 shows a generator in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[009] The present invention is directed towards a fuel tank for a generator, whereby the tank is capable of monitoring the fuel stored therein.
[010] Figure 1 shows a fuel tank 100 for a generator in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The fuel tank comprises a tank body 110, a detector 120 and a processing unit 130. The tank body is formed by plurality of opposing side panels 116, a top panel 112 and a bottom panel 114. In an embodiment, each side panel extends between the top panel and the bottom panel such that height of the tank is greater than overall length or width of the tank. In an embodiment the fuel tank has a height of at least 300mm. As shown, the fuel tank has a stepped-profile or L-shape such that overall height of the tank is greater than overall length

or width of the fuel tank. The fuel tank as shown in figure 2 is placed adjacent to an engine 220 and an alternator 210 of a generator 200. Accordingly, the overall height of the generator is reduced, as the fuel tank is not placed below the engine or the alternator. The overall height of generator and housing 202 of the generator is reduced, thereby by reducing overall weight and material required for the housing, which also reduces cost of the generator.
[011] Further, the fuel tank comprises at-least one detector 120 for monitoring fuel stored/present within the tank. The detector, in an embodiment is a capacitive sensor. As shown in the figure, the capacitive sensor extends between the top panel and the bottom panel such that the capacitive sensor is immersed/disposed in the fuel. In an embodiment of the present invention, the capacitive sensor has two electrodes. The change in capacitance between the two electrodes is detected due to the presence of fuel between the two electrodes. The height of the tank enables the capacitive sensor to measure more accurately. The capacitive sensor determines the parameters of fuel in the tank by detecting the variation of electric capacity or capacitance of the capacitance sensor. In this regard, as quantity or level of fuel in the tank varies, the capacitance measured by the capacitive sensor also varies. Accordingly, quantity of fuel can be measured by detecting the change in capacitance of the capacitive sensor. Further, in case the fuel is adulterated by introducing other fluids, there will be a sudden variation/increase in capacitance measured by the capacitive sensor. Accordingly, quality or adulteration of fuel can be measured by detecting the sudden change in capacitance of the capacitive sensor.

[012] Further, the fuel tank comprises of a processing unit 130 connected with the detector for determining parameters of fuel stored within the tank based on the fuel monitored by the detector. The processing unit is configured to receive the capacitance value obtained by the detector, convert the capacitance value to a voltage value, determine parameters of fuel by comparing the voltage value with a range of pre-stored voltage values, each voltage value corresponding with level of fuel in tank. In this regard, each voltage corresponds to the height of fuel level, and the height when multiplied with area of cross section at that height gives the volume of fuel stored.
[013] In an embodiment, level of fuel is compared with pre-defined quantity of fuel to determine any deviation in the quantity of fuel. If the comparison indicates any deviation the processing unit generates a signal indicative of the deviation in quantity of fuel. In another embodiment, the processing unit is configured to identify voltage value outside the range of pre-stored voltage values to determine any adulteration in the fuel. If the voltage value is outside the range of pre-stored voltage value the processing unit generate a signal indicative of the adulteration in fuel and/or disconnect fuel supply to the generator. Accordingly, if there is mixture of water in fuel, there is sudden change in capacitance. Fuel is lighter than water and always stays above the water level. Hence if there is more water in tank then as the fuel gets over and the sensing surface comes in contact with water this signal goes to the processing unit and disconnects the fuel supply to the generator with an alarm.

[014] The present invention in an embodiment provides a method for monitoring parameters of fuel in a fuel tank. The method begins by detecting capacitance value of the fuel by at-least one detector disposed within the fuel tank. The capacitance value is received by a processing unit, and converted to a voltage value. Thereafter, parameters of fuel are determined by comparing the voltage value with a range of pre-stored voltage values, each voltage value corresponding with level of fuel in the tank. Further, the level of fuel is compared with pre¬defined quantity of fuel to determine any deviation in the quantity of fuel. If the comparison indicates any deviation the processing unit generates a signal indicative of the deviation in quantity of fuel. If the voltage value is outside the range of pre-stored voltage value, the processing unit generates a signal indicative of the adulteration in fuel and/or disconnect fuel supply to the generator. Advantageously, the present invention determines quantity and quality of fuel stored in the tank.
[015] Further, the tank comprises an audio/visual device and/or a communication module (not shown in the figure) connected with the processing unit. The audio/visual device is provided to generate an alarm locally on the generator indicating the deviation in the quantity of fuel. The communication module enables information of the deviation in fuel to be transmitted to a server or an electronic device indicating the deviation. Accordingly, any deviation in fuel being filled or fuel being siphoned from the tank can be detected by the present invention.

[016] Advantageously, the fuel tank of the present invention detects and alarms any sudden change in fuel levels and thereby detecting any siphoning of fuels. The fuel tank also detects the presence of water or adulteration of fuel and cuts-off supply of fuel to the generator thereby preventing the flow of water or adulterated fuel in the engine. The present invention also provides real time data of the fuel consumption and the amount of fuel present in the fuel tank.
[017] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

WE CLAIM:
1. A fuel tank (100) for a generator, said fuel tank comprising:
a tank body (110) for storing fuel, the tank body formed by plurality of opposing side panels (112), a top panel (114) and a bottom panel (116), each side panel extends between the top panel and the bottom panel such that height of the tank is greater than overall length or width of the tank;
at-least one detector (120) disposed within the tank for monitoring the fuel stored/present within the tank; and
a processing unit (130) connected with the detector for determining parameters of fuel stored within the tank based on the fuel monitored by the detector.
2. The fuel tank as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tank has a rectangular or stepped-profile or L-shape.
3. The fuel tank as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at-least one detector (120) is a capacitive sensor configured to determine the level of fuel in the tank by detecting the variation of electric capacitance of the fuel in the tank.
4. The fuel tank as claimed in claim 3, wherein the capacitive sensor extends between the top panel and the bottom panel such that the capacitive sensor is immersed/disposed in the fuel.

5. The fuel tank as claimed in claim 3, wherein the capacitive sensor has at-least one electrode.
6. The fuel tank as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing unit is configured to:
receive the capacitance value obtained by the detector;
convert the capacitance value to a voltage value; and
determine parameters of fuel by comparing the voltage value with a range
of pre-stored voltage values, each voltage value corresponding with level
of fuel in tank.
7. The fuel tank as claimed in claim 6, wherein the processing unit is
configured to:
compare the level of fuel with pre-defined quantity of fuel to determine
any deviation in the quantity of fuel; and
generate a signal indicative of the deviation in quantity of fuel.
8. The fuel tank as claimed in claim 6, wherein the processing unit is
configured to:
identify voltage value outside the range of pre-stored voltage values to determine any adulteration in the fuel; and
generate a signal indicative of the adulteration in fuel and/or disconnect fuel supply to the generator.

9. The fuel tank as claimed in claims 1 and 6, wherein the fuel tank further comprises an audio/visual device to generate an alarm locally indicating any deviation or adulteration in the fuel.
10. The fuel tank as claimed in claims 1 and 6, wherein the fuel tank further comprises a communication module connected with the processing unit to transmit information of the deviation or adulteration in fuel to a server or an electronic device indicating the deviation.
11. A method for monitoring parameters of fuel in a fuel tank, the method comprising the steps of:
determining capacitance value of the fuel by at-least one capacitive sensor disposed within the fuel tank;
receiving by a processing unit the capacitance value obtained by the capacitive sensor;
converting the capacitance value to a voltage value; and
determine parameters of fuel by comparing the voltage value with a range of pre-stored voltage values, each voltage value corresponding with level of fuel in tank.
12. The method as claimed in claim 11, comprising the steps of
comparing the level of fuel with pre-defined quantity of fuel to determine
any deviation in the quantity of fuel; and

generating a signal indicative of the deviation in quantity of fuel.
13. The method as claimed in claim 11, comprising the steps of
identifying voltage value outside the range of pre-stored voltage values to determine any adulteration in the fuel; and
generating a signal indicative of the adulteration in fuel and/or disconnect fuel supply to the generator.