US Patent 7784342 Multi-slope variable resistance fuel sender unit

A fuel sender unit is provided for deployment on a vehicle having a fuel tank. The fuel sender unit includes a float arm configured to move in relation to the volume of fuel held within the fuel tank. A fuel level sensor is coupled to the float arm. The fuel level sensor produces a resistance that varies with the position of the float arm to thereby produce a multi-slope sender profile including at least first, second, and third successive profile segments. The first profile segment has an average slope that is greater than that of the second profile segment, and the second profile segment has an average slope that is greater than that of the third profile segment.