Multifunctional fluid level and quality sensing device
US9170144B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 10, 2013 |
| Grant date | Oct 27, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 14, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N33/00
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A multifunctional fluid level and quality sensing device including a fluid level sensor and a capacitive sensor for detecting fluid level, fluid quality, errors in the sensing device, and issues in a fluid delivery system. In detecting fluid level, impedance of the capacitive sensor is used in improving sensing performance of the fluid level sensor, while in detecting fluid quality and errors in the sensing device, an expected impedance range with an upper boundary value and a lower boundary value is calculated, and a fault is generated when the measured impedance value is out of the expected impedance range. The fluid level and quality sensing device can also be used in a fluid delivery system for detecting system issues, and the results can be used for further isolating errors in the system. Operating status of higher level system provides more information for this purpose.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.