Siemens Vdo Automotive Corporation

Continental Automotive Systems Us, Inc.

Isabelle McKenzie

Francois-Xavier Bernard

Ray Wildeson

Daniel Stahlmann

Gerard Mouaici

David VanZuilen

David M Vanzuilen

David M Vanzullen

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 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 sensor () includes a single capacitor () that operates in two different modes to obtain capacitance and conductance information when a mixture flows between the electrodes () of the capacitor. Two different oscillators () are selectively used to obtain the conductance and capacitance information. In a disclosed embodiment, a capacitor includes an outer electrode () that is received around an inner electrode () such that there is spacing between the electrodes through which the mixture flows. The mixture acts as a dielectric of the capacitor allowing the conductance and capacitance measurements to be made. A glass member () seals off the spacing between the electrodes and provides physical support to position the inner electrode to keep the electrodes electrically isolated.

Fuel 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.

In line fluid quality sensor

A sensor () includes a single capacitor () that operates in two different modes to obtain capacitance and conductance information when a mixture flows between the electrodes () of the capacitor. The inventive sensor is particularly well-suited for making methanol content determinations within a mixture used to provide hydrogen to supply a fuel cell. Two different oscillators () are selectively used to obtain the conductance and capacitance information. In a disclosed embodiment, a capacitor includes an outer electrode () that is received around an inner electrode () such that there is a spacing between the electrodes through which the mixture flows. The mixture acts as a dielectric of the capacitor allowing the conductance and capacitance measurements to be made. The example sensor includes a temperature sensor () conveniently supported within the inner electrode ().

Growing community of inventors

Poquoson, VA, United States of America

Isabelle McKenzie