Abstract:
A flexible circuit film oil sensor (20, 70) includes a flexible circuit film (32, 72) surrounded by a flexible border (42, 74). A core support flap (48, 82) and a weld flap (50, 80) are attached to opposite ends of the flexible border (42, 74). The flexible circuit film (32, 72) includes an oil level sensing electrode surface (34), an oil condition sensing electrode surface (36, 84), a resistive temperature device (40, 86), and a common electrode surface (38, 88). The flexible circuit film engine oil sensor (20, 70) is wrapped around a core structure so that a spiral oil chamber (62, 102) is formed. Accordingly, the spiral oil chamber (62, 102) is at least partially filled with oil (22) and electrical signals are provided across the electrode surfaces (34, 36, 38, 84, 88) in order to monitor the level and condition of oil (22) within the sensor (20, 70). Additionally, the resistive temperature device (40, 86) provides a signal representative of the temperature of the oil (22) within the sensor (20, 70).
Abstract:
A variable buoyancy heater (100) is provided. It comprises variable buoyancy float (123) that includes a variable volume element (120). A first fluid is contained within the variable volume element and a heating element (120) that is integral with the variable buoyancy float (100) is provided. The heating element (120) is arranged to heat the first fluid wherein the variable volume element (122) expands based on a temperature increase from the heating element (120), such that the variable buoyancy float (123) becomes positively buoyant when the variable volume element (122) expands and negatively buoyant when the heating element (120) is off.
Abstract:
An oil level/condition sensor includes a first level sensing tube (32), a common tube (34), and a second level sensing tube (36). The tubes (32, 34, 36) are concentric to each other around a central axis (38). Moreover, the tubes (32, 34, 36) are separated by plastic spacers (40) which insulate the level sensing tubes (32, 36) from the common tube (34) and maintain the concentricity of the tubes (32, 34, 36). Installed in the end of the first level sensing tube (32) is a coupling/plug (44) and disposed around the coupling/plug (44) is a first condition sensing tube (46). The coupling/plug (44) insulates the first level sensing tube (32) from the first condition sensing tube (46) and prevents fluid communication therebetween. A second condition sensing tube (54) is attached to the second level sensing tube (36) around the common tube (34) and the first condition sensing tube (46). A ring-shaped insulator (56) electrically isolates the second condition sensing tube (54) from the second level sensing tube (36). The multiple tube configuration provides increased sensing surface area without increasing the length of the sensor (20) or dramatically increasing the overall diameter of the sensor package. As such, the increased sensing surface area increases the signal strength and the accuracy of the sensor (20). Thus, the sensor (20) is used in relatively shallow oil pans (14) where the length of the sensor (20) is constrained by the depth of the oil pan (14).
Abstract:
A flexible circuit film oil sensor (20, 70) includes a flexible circuit film (32, 72) surrounded by a flexible border (42, 74). A core support flap (48, 82) and a weld flap (50, 80) are attached to opposite ends of the flexible border (42, 74). The flexible circuit film (32, 72) includes an oil level sensing electrode surface (34), an oil condition sensing electrode surface (36, 84), a resistive temperature device (40, 86), and a common electrode surface (38, 88). The flexible circuit film engine oil sensor (20, 70) is wrapped around a core structure so that a spiral oil chamber (62, 102) is formed. Accordingly, the spiral oil chamber (62, 102) is at least partially filled with oil (22) and electrical signals are provided across the electrode surfaces (34, 36, 38, 84, 88) in order to monitor the level and condition of oil (22) within the sensor (20, 70). Additionally, the resistive temperature device (40, 86) provides a signal representative of the temperature of the oil (22) within the sensor (20, 70).
Abstract:
A variable buoyancy heater (100) is provided. It comprises variable buoyancy float (123) that includes a variable volume element (120). A first fluid is contained within the variable volume element and a heating element (120) that is integral with the variable buoyancy float (100) is provided. The heating element (120) is arranged to heat the first fluid wherein the variable volume element (122) expands based on a temperature increase from the heating element (120), such that the variable buoyancy float (123) becomes positively buoyant when the variable volume element (122) expands and negatively buoyant when the heating element (120) is off.
Abstract:
A reformer (100, 200) comprises a housing (10) comprising a housing inner surface (14), a housing outer surface (12), and an inlet (26); an ignition housing (16) comprising an ignition housing inner surface (20), an ignition housing outer surface (18), an opening (30), and a turbulent flow generator (28) bordering a portion of the opening (30), wherein the ignition housing (16) is disposed within the housing (16); a chamber (24) defined by the housing inner surface (20) and the ignition housing outer surface (18) in fluid communication with the inlet (26) and the opening (30); and a catalytic substrate (22) disposed within the ignition housing (16) in fluid communication with the opening (30).
Abstract:
An oil level/condition sensor includes a first level sensing tube (32), a common tube (34), and a second level sensing tube (36). The tubes (32, 34, 36) are concentric to each other around a central axis (38). Moreover, the tubes (32, 34, 36) are separated by plastic spacers (40) which insulate the level sensing tubes (32, 36) from the common tube (34) and maintain the concentricity of the tubes (32, 34, 36). Installed in the end of the first level sensing tube (32) is a coupling/plug (44) and disposed around the coupling/plug (44) is a first condition sensing tube (46). The coupling/plug (44) insulates the first level sensing tube (32) from the first condition sensing tube (46) and prevents fluid communication therebetween. A second condition sensing tube (54) is attached to the second level sensing tube (36) around the common tube (34) and the first condition sensing tube (46). A ring-shaped insulator (56) electrically isolates the second condition sensing tube (54) from the second level sensing tube (36). The multiple tube configuration provides increased sensing surface area without increasing the length of the sensor (20) or dramatically increasing the overall diameter of the sensor package. As such, the increased sensing surface area increases the signal strength and the accuracy of the sensor (20). Thus, the sensor (20) is used in relatively shallow oil pans (14) where the length of the sensor (20) is constrained by the depth of the oil pan (14).