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US5134381A
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Method of analyzing the alcohol content and/or the calorific value of fuels
Assignee: FEV Europe GmbH
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Filing: 1990-06-11
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Granted: 1992-07-28
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Expires: 2010-06-11
Abstract
Abstract A method of determining the alcohol content and/or the calorific vaue of fuels by containing the fuel and measuring the electrically measurable values in a measurement cell to determine the relative permittivity of the mixture as the characteristic of the alcohol content of the calorific value. The relative permittivity is then determined by means of a computer or circuitry, independent of the influence of the conductivity of the fuel.
Inventors
- 👤 Gunter Schmitz
- 👤 Bernd Reggelin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:39
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/26; G01N33/28; G01N33/2835; G01N33/2852; G01N27/00; G01N27/02; G01N27/22; G01N27/221
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for analyzing a fuel which may contain alcohol in solution, comprising the steps of: containing the fuel in a measurement cell; applying an alternating voltage or current, respectively, to two electrodes forming a capacitor arranged in the measuring cell, the electrodes having the fuel as a dielectric there between; determining the capacitance independently of fuel conductivity as a function of real and/or imaginary characteristics of the resulting current flow or voltage, respectively of the capacitor; and determining an alcohol content of the fuel from the determined capacitance.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for analyzing a fuel which may contain alcohol in solution, comprising the steps of: containing the fuel in a measurement cell; applying an alternating voltage or current, respectively, to two electrodes forming a capacitor arranged in the measuring cell, the electrodes having the fuel as a dielectric there between; determining the capacitance independently of fuel conductivity as a function of real and/or imaginary characteristics of the resulting current flow or voltage, respectively of the capacitor; and determining an alcohol content of the fuel from the determined capacitance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said measuring step further comprises loading the electrodes with a sinusoidal voltage and evaluating the imaginary part of the current.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according o claim 1, wherein said determining step further comprises switching a defined capacitance C parallel the capacitance determined by the measuring cell.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 1, further comprising measuring the temperature o the fuel within the measuring cell and using this temperature to correct the value o the determined alcohol content.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according o claim 2, wherein the imaginary part of the current is evaluated by synchronous rectification.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 2, wherein the imaginary part of the current is evaluated by multiplying the current signal with a cosine-shaped signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein one of the two electrodes is a wall of the measurement cell.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of analyzing a fuel, comprising the steps of: containing the fuel in a measurement cell; measuring the capacitance o a capacitor formed in the measurement and having the fuel as its dielectric, said measuring step being accomplished independently of any influence of fuel conductivity; and determining an alcohol content of the fuel from the measured capacitance.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of analyzing a fuel, comprising the steps of: containing the fuel in a measurement cell; measuring the capacitance o a capacitor formed in the measurement and having the fuel as its dielectric, said measuring step being accomplished independently of any influence of fuel conductivity; and determining an alcohol content of the fuel from the measured capacitance.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 8, wherein a frequency measured by the capacitor is held constant while the capacitance o the fuel varies.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 9, wherein the frequency is adjusted by a switched capacitor circuit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method according to claim 8, wherein said determining step comprises loading the electrodes with two voltages of different frequency and evaluating the respective resulting voltage drop across the electrodes or the respective current flow through the capacitor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method according to claim 8, wherein determining step further comprises switching a defined capacitance parallel to the capacitance determined by the measuring cell, and obtaining the capacitance Cx of the fuel by the following relationship: f2/f1=Cx/(Cx+C), where f1 and f2 re respective frequencies determined by the capacitor and determined capacitance, wherein t least one of the frequencies lies in the rang of excessive relative permittivity of the fuel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 12, wherein said switching is accomplished via a switchable delay member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 14, wherein said determining of the capacitance is performed by a self-balancing measuring bridge.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method according to claim 8, wherein the capacitance and temperature of the fuel are evaluated directly in a ROM without application of a processor, resulting digitalized values are used as an address, and the alcohol content is determined from the state of associated digital lines.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 12, wherein said determining step further comprises switching a switchable delay member in feedback relation with the measuring cell.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 8, further comprising measuring the temperature of the fuel within the measuring cell and using this temperature to correct the value of the determined alcohol content.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 11, further comprising measuring the temperature of the fuel within the measuring cell nd using this temperature to correct the value o the determined alcohol content.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 12, further comprising measuring the temperature of the fuel within the measuring cell and using this temperature to correct the value of the determined alcohol content.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 14, further comprising measuring the temperature of the fuel within the measuring cell and using this temperature to correct the value of the determined alcohol content.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 15, further comprising measuring the temperature of the fuel within the measuring cell and using this temperature to correct the value of the determined alcohol content.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 16, further comprising measuring the temperature of the fuel within the measuring cell and using this temperature to correct the value of the determined alcohol content.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-07-28 | 1996-01-27 | 1996-07-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-07-28 | 2000-01-27 | 2000-07-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-07-28 | 2004-01-27 | 2004-07-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |