Sensor for detecting hydrocarbon in a seal
US8845274B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 26, 2011 |
| Grant date | Sep 30, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 22, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01M3/38
- 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. The sensor is formed from either an oil/fuel leak detection powder or an oil colorimetric developer. 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.