Fuel driveability index sensor and method
US6564624B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 8, 2001 |
| Grant date | May 20, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 8, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N27/226
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A sensor and method for measuring the volatility of liquid gasoline by estimating its driveability index includes a sensing element having an interdigitated array of electrically conducting capacitor plates arranged to retain a predetermined volume of gasoline, the volatility of which is to be measured. The sensing element is mounted in a vehicle to be in contact with the flow of gasoline while the engine is running so that a volume certain of gasoline is drawn between and remains within the electrically conducting plates when the engine is turned off. The sensing element is connected to circuitry used to measure the change in capacitance of the sensing element as a function of time while simultaneously measuring the temperature change of the sensing element as the volume of gasoline retained by the sensing element is evaporated over time. The measurements obtained by the circuitry are used in estimating the drivability index of the gasoline.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.