Siemens Vdo Automotive Corporation

Continental Automotive Systems Us, Inc.

Daniel Stahlmann

Ray Wildeson

Isabelle McKenzie

A sensor device () for making at least one determination regarding a selected characteristic of a fluid includes a support post () that is adapted to be exposed to the fluid. A capacitor has electrodes () that are supported near one end of the support post (). A housing () for containing electronics () is supported near an opposite end of the support post (). In a disclosed arrangement, a level sensing element such as a conductive polymer rod is at least partially supported by the support post (). A disclosed assembly procedure includes overmolding portions of the device onto other portions to provide stable and secure connections between the various portions of the assembly.

Sensor device for determining a fluid property

A fluid quality sensor includes a first electrode () that has a fluid passageway () that is adapted to be placed in line with at least one fluid conduit (). A second electrode () is supported within the fluid passageway () and electrically isolated from the first electrode (). The first electrode () and the second electrode () operate as a capacitor for making fluid quality determinations. A disclosed example includes a temperature sensor () thermally coupled with a mounting member () that supports the second electrode () within the first electrode. A disclosed example includes a multiple piece first electrode that allows for at least a portion of the second electrode () to be exposed and accessible near one end of at least one piece of the first electrode during a selected portion of an example assembly process.

Fluid quality sensor

A fluid sensor arrangement () includes a sleeve () that is adapted to be placed within a container (). A plurality of conductors () and a channel member () within the sleeve cooperate to provide a measurement of conductivity of the fluid within the sleeve (). The conductivity measurement provides an indication of a level of fluid within the container (). A disclosed example includes a non-conductive channel member () having an opening or a channel () for directing selected portions of a conductivity field within the sleeve () between the conductors () for making the conductivity determinations.

Fluid level sensor

A fluid quality sensor () includes a first electrode () that has a fluid passageway () that is adapted to be placed in line with at least one fluid conduit (). A housing () is supported on the first electrode () in one example by overmolding a portion () of the housing onto a portion of the first electrode (). A second electrode () is supported within the fluid passageway () and electrically isolated from the first electrode (). The first electrode () and the second electrode () operate as a capacitor for making fluid quality determinations.

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Williamsburg, VA, United States of America

Daniel Stahlmann