Reduction of aeration interference via tortuous path and sensor boot
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A fluid sensor for sensing at least one characteristic of a fluid, the fluid sensor comprising:
- a sensing area;
a sensing element configured to sense a characteristic of a fluid located within the sensing area; and
a shroud including an interior portion having a textured area facing the sensing area, the shroud configured todirect a liquid portion of the fluid along the textured area of the interior portion to enter the sensing area, anddirect a gas portion of the fluid along the textured area of the interior portion in an upward direction away from and out of the sensing area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fluid sensor for sensing at least one characteristic of a fluid. The fluid sensor including a sensing area; a sensing element configured to sense a characteristic of a fluid located within the sensing area; and a shroud having a textured area. The shroud configured to allow a liquid portion of the fluid to enter and exit the sensing area, and substantially prohibit a gas portion of the fluid to enter the sensing area.
14 Citations
39 Claims
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1. A fluid sensor for sensing at least one characteristic of a fluid, the fluid sensor comprising:
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a sensing area; a sensing element configured to sense a characteristic of a fluid located within the sensing area; and a shroud including an interior portion having a textured area facing the sensing area, the shroud configured to direct a liquid portion of the fluid along the textured area of the interior portion to enter the sensing area, and direct a gas portion of the fluid along the textured area of the interior portion in an upward direction away from and out of the sensing area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of preventing gas bubbles in a sensing system for sensing a fluid contained in a tank, the sensing system including a sensing area and a sensor, the method comprising:
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coupling a shroud to the sensing system, wherein the shroud includes an interior portion having a textured area facing the sensing area; directing a liquid portion of the fluid and a gas portion of the fluid via the textured area of the interior portion; allowing the liquid portion of the fluid to enter the sensing area; directing the gas portion of the fluid along the textured area in an upward direction away from and out of the sensing area; and sensing a characteristic of the fluid contained within the sensing area. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A sensor operable to sense a characteristic of a fluid, the sensor comprising:
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a sensing area configured to contain the fluid; a shroud covering the sensing area, the shroud including an interior portion having a textured area facing the sensing area, the textured area configured to direct a liquid portion of the fluid to enter the sensing area, and direct a gas portion of the fluid in an upward direction away from and out of the sensing area; and a transducer operable to output a pulse of sound through the liquid portion of the fluid contained within the sensing area, receive a reflected pulse of sound, and output a characteristic of the fluid based on the received reflected pulse of sound. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A shroud configured to overlay a sensor for sensing at least one characteristic of a fluid, the shroud comprising:
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a main body including a top portion, a bottom portion, an exterior portion, and an interior portion, the interior portion including a textured area facing a sensing area of the sensor, the textured area configured to direct a liquid portion of the fluid toward the sensing area of the sensor, and direct a gas portion of the fluid in an upward direction away from and out of the sensing area of the sensor; and a leg coupled to the bottom portion. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification