US3793586A — Apparatus for detecting the presence of water in …

Claim 1

Independent Claim 156 words

Apparatus for detecting the presence of water in aircraft fuel tanks or the like, comprising a sampling drain plug unit including first and second sensing electrode means selectively operable for detecting the presence of water in the fuel in drops and for detecting the presence of water in suspension in the fuel, said first and second sensing electrode means including first and second sensing electrodes, said plug unit further comprising external electrical contact points, said first sensing electrode being adapted to detect the presence of water in the fuel in drops, and said second sensing electrode being adapted to detect the presence of water in suspension in the fuel, both said first and second electrodes being connected to said external contact points, whereby a Continuity Ohm Meter can be selectively applied to said first and second electrodes through said external contact points to test the conductivity of the fuel adjacent said first and second sensing electrodes.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 156 words

Apparatus for detecting the presence of water in aircraft fuel tanks or the like, comprising a sampling drain plug unit including first and second sensing electrode means selectively operable for detecting the presence of water in the fuel in drops and for detecting the presence of water in suspension in the fuel, said first and second sensing electrode means including first and second sensing electrodes, said plug unit further comprising external electrical contact points, said first sensing electrode being adapted to detect the presence of water in the fuel in drops, and said second sensing electrode being adapted to detect the presence of water in suspension in the fuel, both said first and second electrodes being connected to said external contact points, whereby a Continuity Ohm Meter can be selectively applied to said first and second electrodes through said external contact points to test the conductivity of the fuel adjacent said first and second sensing electrodes.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 199 words

Apparatus for detecting the presence of water in fuel in aircraft fuel tanks or the like comprising: a sampling drain plug unit engageable in a drain opening of said tank; a valve exTending upwardly into said tank through said plug unit; an electrical conductor extending through said valve; an electrical insulator attached to said valve; a valve plug attached to said plug unit and surrounding said valve; a first sensing electrode means for detecting the presence of water in said fuel in the form of drops, said first sensing electrode means comprising a pair of probe contacts mounted on said insulator, first ends of said probe contacts being connected to said conductor, second ends of said probe contacts positioned to provide anti-fouling gaps with said valve plug; a second sensing electrode means for detecting the presence of water in suspension in said fuel; said plug unit and said conductor forming external contact points; both of said first and second sensing electrode means being connected to said external contact points; and whereby a Continuity Ohm Meter may selectively be applied to said external contact points to test the conductivity of said fuel adjacent said first and second sensing electrode means.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 199 words

Apparatus for detecting the presence of water in fuel in aircraft fuel tanks or the like comprising: a sampling drain plug unit engageable in a drain opening of said tank; a valve exTending upwardly into said tank through said plug unit; an electrical conductor extending through said valve; an electrical insulator attached to said valve; a valve plug attached to said plug unit and surrounding said valve; a first sensing electrode means for detecting the presence of water in said fuel in the form of drops, said first sensing electrode means comprising a pair of probe contacts mounted on said insulator, first ends of said probe contacts being connected to said conductor, second ends of said probe contacts positioned to provide anti-fouling gaps with said valve plug; a second sensing electrode means for detecting the presence of water in suspension in said fuel; said plug unit and said conductor forming external contact points; both of said first and second sensing electrode means being connected to said external contact points; and whereby a Continuity Ohm Meter may selectively be applied to said external contact points to test the conductivity of said fuel adjacent said first and second sensing electrode means.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 28 words

Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said gaps may be selectively varied between a minimum gap setting of 0.002 inches and a maximum setting of 0.25 inches.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 145 words

Apparatus for detecting the presence of water in fuel in aircraft fuel tanks or the like comprising: a sampling drain plug unit engageable in a drain opening in said tank and having first and second independent external contact points; first sensing electrode means for detecting the presence of water in said fuel in drops; second sensing electrode means for detecting the presence of water in suspension in said fuel; said second electrode means comprising a pair of spaced probe contacts mounted on the top of said plug unit; one of said probe contacts being connected to said first external contact point, and the other of said probe contacts being connected to said second external contact point; and whereby a Continuity Ohm Meter may be selectively applied to said contact points to test the conductivity of said fuel adjacent said first and second sensing electrode means.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 145 words

Apparatus for detecting the presence of water in fuel in aircraft fuel tanks or the like comprising: a sampling drain plug unit engageable in a drain opening in said tank and having first and second independent external contact points; first sensing electrode means for detecting the presence of water in said fuel in drops; second sensing electrode means for detecting the presence of water in suspension in said fuel; said second electrode means comprising a pair of spaced probe contacts mounted on the top of said plug unit; one of said probe contacts being connected to said first external contact point, and the other of said probe contacts being connected to said second external contact point; and whereby a Continuity Ohm Meter may be selectively applied to said contact points to test the conductivity of said fuel adjacent said first and second sensing electrode means.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 30 words

Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of said probe contacts are provided with a knife-edge, said knife edges being spaced apart a distance of 0.001 to 0.005 inches.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 53 words

Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a flicker bar mounted on said plug unit, said flicker bar being adapted to engage a reed on one of said probe contacts, whereby the contact therebetween is vibrated when said probe contacts are selectively raised, thereby breaking any water linkages between said probe contacts.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 143 words

Apparatus for detecting the presence of water in aircraft fuel tanks or the like comprising: a sampling drain plug unit including at least one sensing electrode means selectively operable for detecting the presence of water in the fuel in drops and for detecting the presence of water in suspension in the fuel; a drain outlet in said plug unit; a Continuity Ohm Meter having pipe means for engaging said plug unit in electrical contact therewith and surrounding said drain outlet; a piston positioned in said pipe and electrically insulated therefrom; said plug unit have a contact point extending outwardly therefrom; said piston being selectively engageable with said contact point; a meter having an electrical circuit including said pipe and piston; and whereby the presence of water adjacent said at least one sensing electrode means may selectively be detected and the conductivity thereof measured.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 143 words

Apparatus for detecting the presence of water in aircraft fuel tanks or the like comprising: a sampling drain plug unit including at least one sensing electrode means selectively operable for detecting the presence of water in the fuel in drops and for detecting the presence of water in suspension in the fuel; a drain outlet in said plug unit; a Continuity Ohm Meter having pipe means for engaging said plug unit in electrical contact therewith and surrounding said drain outlet; a piston positioned in said pipe and electrically insulated therefrom; said plug unit have a contact point extending outwardly therefrom; said piston being selectively engageable with said contact point; a meter having an electrical circuit including said pipe and piston; and whereby the presence of water adjacent said at least one sensing electrode means may selectively be detected and the conductivity thereof measured.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 68 words

Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said circuit further comprises a scale selector switch, at a first position of which said meter is adapted to indicate the presence of water in suspension in said fuel on a Meg Ohm scale, and at a second position of which said meter is adapted to indicate the presence of water in drops in said fuel on a K Ohm scale.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 136 words

Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said Continuity Ohm Meter further comprises a fuel flow line; and an anti-fouling sensing unit mounted in said fuel flow line, said sensing unit including an electrically insulated plug adapted to fit in said fuel flow line, said plug having a central passage therein and an electrode located centrally within said passage, a metallic contact inserted in said insulated plug and surrounding the inlet to said passage, said centrally located electrode and said metallic contact being connected to the live and ground terminals of an electrical circuit, whereby any water present in the fuel passing through said passage will form links between said electrode and said metallic contact, the arrangement being such that the conductivity of water present can be measured on a scale of said Continuity Ohm Meter.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 103 words

Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said circuit further comprises an electrode selector switch, said switch having a first position isolating said meter from the circuit for measuring the conductivity of said fuel as detected by said sampling drain plug unit, the conductivity of said fuel being measured as said fuel passes said electrode mounted in said passage in said insulated plug; said electrode selector switch having a second position isolating said insulated plug electrode circuit from said meter, thereby permitting the conductivity of said fuel to be measured as a result of said meter being applied to said drain plug unit.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 35 words

Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said electrically insulated plug is of P.T.F.E., and said centrally located electrode and said metallic contact are arranged to prevent any water remaining in contact therewith after detection.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 59 words

Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a fuel by-pass tube arranged in parallel with said sensing unit, said by-pass tube being adapted to drain off fuel from said flow line when said fuel builds up to a predetermined level above said sensing unit and delivers said drained off fuel to a reservoir downstream of said sensing unit.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1977-02-18	1977-08-20	1978-02-19	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1981-02-18	1981-08-20	1982-02-19	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1985-02-18	1985-08-20	1986-02-19	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Apparatus for detecting the presence of water in aircraft fuel tanks

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