The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 10, 2014
Filed:
Apr. 14, 2011
Carlos E. Carvalho, Tyngsborough, MA (US);
John L. Sinnamon, Deerfield, NH (US);
Thomas Miskell, Merrimack, NH (US);
Vincent J. Rizzo, Hollis, NH (US);
Carlos E. Carvalho, Tyngsborough, MA (US);
John L. Sinnamon, Deerfield, NH (US);
Thomas Miskell, Merrimack, NH (US);
Vincent J. Rizzo, Hollis, NH (US);
Meggitt (Orange County), Inc., Irvine, CA (US);
Abstract
Methods and systems are disclosed for using time domain reflectometry to determine the identity of a fluid in a vessel, and to determine whether the quality of a fluid in a vessel is within acceptable parameters. Methods include identifying a fluid by comparing a derived characteristic of a fluid to a reference characteristic, determining the quality of a fluid by determining if a derived characteristic is within an acceptable quality range, monitoring a fluid for a dynamic change in quality or state, and identifying a fluid by comparing a transition reflection waveform to a reference signature transition. The methods are implemented in systems for identifying a fluid layer in a vessel, such as fuel, free liquid water or ice, detecting misfueling or fuel contamination, and detecting fluid state changes, such as the formation of ice.