Flexible circuit film engine oil sensor

• US 6,557,396 B2
• Filed: 05/04/2001
• Issued: 05/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Thomson, Steven Douglas, Ismail, Keith N., Lecea, Oscar Alfonso
• Primary Examiner(s): LARKIN, DANIEL SEAN
• Application Number:
  US09/849,577
• Publication Number:
  US 20020162385A1
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• Field of Search: 73/530.1, 73/530.5, 73/530.6, 73/614.1, 733/04.R, 733/04.C
• US Class Current: 73/53.05
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/2888 Lubricating oil characteristics, e.g. deterioration lubricating properties G01N33/30

Abstract

A flexible circuit film oil sensor includes a flexible circuit film surrounded by a flexible border. A core support flap and a weld flap are attached to opposite ends of the flexible border. The flexible circuit film includes an oil level sensing electrode surface, an oil condition sensing electrode surface, a resistive temperature device, and a common electrode surface. The flexible circuit film engine oil sensor is wrapped around a core structure so that a spiral oil chamber is formed. Accordingly, the spiral oil chamber is at least partially filled with oil and electrical signals are provided across the electrode surfaces in order to monitor the level and condition of oil within the sensor. Additionally, the resistive temperature device provides a signal representative of the temperature of the oil within the sensor.

Claims

1. An oil sensor comprising:

a core structure; and

a flexible circuit film wrapped around the core structure to form a spiral fluid chamber that is at least partially filled with oil.

2. The sensor of claim 1, further comprising:

a flexible border surrounding the flexible circuit film.

3. The sensor of claim 2, further comprising:

a weld flap; and

a core support flap, the weld flap and core support flap being attached to opposite ends of the flexible border.

4. The sensor of claim 3, wherein the flexible circuit film comprises:

at least one oil condition sensing electrode surface;

at least one resistive temperature device; and

at least one common electrode surface.

5. The sensor of claim 4, further comprising:

a plurality of ribs affixed to a surface of the sensor.

6. The sensor of claim 5, wherein the flexible circuit film further comprises:

at least one oil level sensing electrode surface.

7. The sensor of claim 6, further comprising:

a plurality of spacers aligned with the ribs on an opposite surface of the sensor, the spacers aligning with the ribs when the sensor is wrapped around a core structure.

8. The sensor of claim 7, wherein the core structure is a solid rod and the sensor is installed in an oil pan to monitor condition, temperature, and level of oil therein.

9. The sensor of claim 5, further comprising:

a plurality of holes formed between the ribs, the holes allowing oil to flow radially through the sensor.

10. The sensor of claim 9, wherein the core structure is a hollow, inlet tube formed with at least one inlet port that communicates with the spiral fluid chamber and the sensor is installed along a fluid line of a lubrication system to monitor condition and temperature of oil therein.

11. A vehicle oil lubricating system, comprising:

at least one engine;

at least one oil pan;

at least one oil sensor, the oil sensor including a core structure; and

a flexible circuit film wrapped around the core structure to form a spiral fluid chamber that is at least partially filled with oil.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the sensor further comprises:

a flexible border surrounding the flexible circuit film.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the sensor further comprises:

a weld flap; and

a core support flap, the weld flap and core support flap attached to opposite ends of the flexible border.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the flexible circuit film comprises:

at least one oil condition sensing electrode surface;

at least one resistive temperature device; and

at least one common electrode surface.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the sensor further comprises:

a plurality of ribs affixed to a surface of the sensor.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the flexible circuit film further comprises:

at least one oil level sensing electrode surface.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the sensor further comprises:

a plurality of spacers aligned with the ribs on an opposite surface of the sensor, the spacers aligning with the ribs when the sensor is wrapped around a core structure.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the core structure is a solid rod and the sensor is installed in an oil pan to monitor condition, temperature, and level of oil therein.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the sensor further comprises:

a plurality of holes formed between the ribs, the holes allowing oil to flow radially through the sensor.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the core structure is a hollow, inlet tube formed with at least one inlet port that communicates with the spiral fluid chamber and the sensor is installed along a fluid line of a lubrication system to monitor condition and temperature of oil therein.