US4638305A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for detecting water in fuel
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
•
Filing: 1985-03-22
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Granted: 1987-01-20
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Expires: 2005-03-22
Abstract
Abstract Diesel fuel tends to deposit an insulating coating on surfaces it contacts. A probe, preferably in the form of a siphon tube, is coupled to a detection circuit which is responsive to either low resistance or high capacitance between the probe and ground. The probe is initially uncoated to make a resistive coupling to a fuel container when accumulated water touches the probe. When insulating deposits from the diesel fuel or other fuel oil coat the probe, capacitive coupling will occur between the probe and the accumulated water. In either case the presence of water triggers an output signal by the detection circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen J. Sutton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 16:45
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/26; G01F23/263; B; B01; B01D; B01D36/00; B01D36/003; B01D36/005; G01F23/24; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S200/00; Y10S200/41
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
Apparatus for detecting water in a fuel container wherein the fuel has a tendency to deposit an insulating coating on surfaces it contacts, comprising a conductive probe for location in a conductive fuel container at a level to contact water that may collect in the container, so that the probe when contacting the water in the absence of an insulating coating, will be resistively coupled to the container and when contacting the water while covered with an insulating coating will be capacitively coupled to the container, and a detection circuit coupled to the probe and having means responsive to low probe resistance or high probe capacitance for generating an output signal indicative of water contact with the probe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
Apparatus for detecting water in a fuel container wherein the fuel has a tendency to deposit an insulating coating on surfaces it contacts, comprising a conductive probe for location in a conductive fuel container at a level to contact water that may collect in the container, so that the probe when contacting the water in the absence of an insulating coating, will be resistively coupled to the container and when contacting the water while covered with an insulating coating will be capacitively coupled to the container, and a detection circuit coupled to the probe and having means responsive to low probe resistance or high probe capacitance for generating an output signal indicative of water contact with the probe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus for detecting water in a fuel container as described in claim 1 wherein the probe is a metal tube mounted above and extending to the said level for withdrawing water from the container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus for detecting water in a fuel container as described in claim 2 wherein a non-conductive extension is mounted on the lower end of the probe to place the tube opening below water level when water contact with the metal probe is indicated.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-01-19 | 1990-07-21 | 1991-01-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-01-19 | 1994-07-21 | 1995-01-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-01-19 | 1998-07-21 | 1999-01-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |