Sensor for detecting hydrocarbon in a seal
US8057165B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 31, 2008 |
| Grant date | Nov 15, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 6, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01M3/143
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A hydrocarbon presence sensor used to detect for the presence of a fuel in a buffer cavity of an inter-propellant seal. A sensor is formed on a rotor shaft in the buffer cavity and an optical imaging device is used to view a change in appearance of the sensor when a hydrocarbon forms on the surface. In one embodiment, the sensor is a coating of porous silicon. In other embodiments, the sensor can be a mirrored or frosted surface on the shaft. A white light source or a laser is reflected off of the sensor and an optical imaging device reads the reflected light to detect for a change in color or intensity of the light to indicate if a hydrocarbon is present on the sensor surface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.