Apparatus for detecting water in fuel

• US 4,638,305 A
• Filed: 03/22/1985
• Issued: 01/20/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Motors Corporation (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Sutton, Stephen J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US06/714,887
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 340/59, 340/620, 340/603, 340/604, 73/304 R, 73/304 C, 73/61 R, 73/61.1 R, 73/64, 324/61 R, 324/61 P, 324/60 R, 324/60 C, 324/62, 324/61 GS, 324/61 QL, 324/65 R, 324/65 CR, 200/DIG. 40, 200/182, 200/185, 200/190, 200/61.04, 200/61.05, 200/DIG. 41, 210/85, 210/86
• US Class Current: 340/620
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 36/005 Liquid level sensing means, e.g. for water in gasoil-filters
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/24 by measuring variations of resistance of resistors due to contact with conductor fluid
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/263 by measuring variations in capacitance of capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 200/41 Liquid contact

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.

Claims

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.