Fluid sensor

• US 5,591,901 A
• Filed: 04/13/1994
• Issued: 01/07/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ryland Engineering Corporation
• Original Assignee: Ryland Engineering Corporation
• Inventors: Heckman, James R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LARKIN, DANIEL SEAN
• Application Number:
  US08/226,958
• Time in Patent Office: 1,000 Days
• Field of Search: 73/61.43, 73/61.61, 324/453, 324/698, 324/655
• US Class Current: 73/61.43
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/02 Stopping, starting, unloading or idling control
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/16 using electric detection means G01M3/045, G01M3/06, G01M3/12, G01M3/20, G01M3/24, G01M3/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/2847 Water in oil basic sediment and water G01N33/2823; oil in water G01N33/1833

Abstract

A sensor can detect the difference in potential between itself and the fluid into which it is immersed, a signal generated by the probe representing this difference in potential. This signal is used to activate an oscillator circuit. By varying the conditions at which current in the oscillator circuit begins to oscillate, various liquids can be detected and identified.

Claims

1. A detecting device for detecting a fluid, comprising:

a probe for detecting an electrical potential between itself and said fluid;

an output circuit in said probe, said output circuit producing an output signal when said electrical potential reaches a predetermined value;

a printed circuit board, said printed circuit board comprising a sensor pad area and a circuit area;

said sensor pad area being responsive to a difference in potential between itself and said fluid;

said sensor pad area sending a signal to said circuit area when said electrical potential reaches said predetermined amount;

a potting material encapsulating said printed circuit board; and

an additive added to said potting material.

2. The detecting device according to claim 1 wherein said additive is graphite.

3. The detecting device according to claim 1 wherein said additive is powdered silver.

4. The detecting device according to claim 1 wherein a ratio of said additive to said potting material ranges from 0.5 grams/ounce to 1.0 grams/ounce.

5. The detecting device according to claim 1 further comprising an oscillator circuit in said probe, said oscillator circuit having predetermined component values dictating which particular type of fluid is detectable by said device.

6. The detecting device according to claim 5, wherein said oscillator circuit includes a potentiometer, whereby said device is adjusted to detect different types of fluids.

7. The detecting device according to claim 5, wherein said oscillator circuit includes a microprocessor, whereby said device is used to detect unknown fluids.

8. The detecting device according to claim 5, wherein said oscillator circuit comprises:

a pad area;

a first capacitor connected in series to said pad area;

an inductor connected in series to said capacitor; and

a resistor connected in parallel to said inductor.

9. The detecting device according to claim 8, wherein resistance of said resistor determines which particular type of fluid is detectable by said device.

10. The detecting device according to claim 8, wherein a Q-value of said inductor determines which particular type of fluid is detectable by said device.

11. The detecting device according to claim 8, wherein said oscillator circuit further includes a second capacitor intermediate said pad area and said first capacitor.

12. The detecting device according to claim 8, further comprising:

an output line connecting said pad area to said oscillator circuit; and

a third capacitor in said output line;

whereby a bare pad area directly contacts said fluid without occurrence of electrolysis.

13. The detecting device according to claim 11, further comprising a shell enclosing said printed circuit board, said shell being comprised of an inert and non-conductive material.

14. The detecting device according to claim 11, further comprising a transistor interfacing with said oscillator circuit, said transistor emitting an alternating current signal responsive to a change in voltage across said second capacitor.

15. The detecting device according to claim 14, further comprising a detector circuit communicating with said transistor, said detector circuit modifying said alternating current signal.

16. The detecting device according to claim 15, further comprising an amplifier circuit communicating with said detector circuit, said amplifier circuit amplifying a modified signal from said detector circuit and transmitting an amplified modified signal to said output circuit.

17. The detecting device according to claim 1, further comprising a light-emitting diode communicating with said output circuit, said light-emitting diode being activated responsive to said output signal.

18. The detecting device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a control unit interfacing said output circuit; and

an external device activated or deactivated responsive to said output signal as transmitted by said control unit.

19. The detecting device according to claim 18 wherein said external device is a sump pump.

20. The detecting device according to claim 18 wherein said external device is an alarm.