Portable Fuel Dilution Meter with Disposable Absorbent Bottles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vapor sensing devices using surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors for fuel dilution detection face issues such as contamination, inaccurate readings due to oil temperature sensitivity, and the need for laboratory analysis, as well as being non-portable and requiring large oil samples.

Innovation Solution

A portable fuel dilution meter with disposable sample bottles that use a small amount of fluid and an absorbent material for consistent vapor buildup, equipped with a hinged head unit and surface acoustic wave sensor for on-site analysis, reducing contamination risks and enabling quick temperature stabilization and accurate detection of fuel dilution in oil samples.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a large bottle is filled with oil for vapor sensing analysis, then the sample volume is sufficient for analysis, but the device becomes non-portable and requires laboratory analysis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil sample volumeVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs disposable sample bottles that are pre-filled with small amounts of oil (1-5 mL). These single-use bottles eliminate the need for large, portable sample containers while enabling field analysis. The disposable nature ensures consistent sample volumes and eliminates contamination risks between samples, resolving the contradiction between sufficient sample quantity and portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Quantity of substance

If the bottle is filled too full with oil, then the sample volume is maximized, but liquid oil can be drawn into the instrument and damage the SAW sensor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil sample volumeVSAvoidsensor protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an absorbent material (such as cotton or paper) as an intermediary layer between the oil sample and the vapor sensing chamber. This absorbent material absorbs excess oil while allowing vapor to pass through to the SAW sensor, preventing liquid oil from reaching and damaging the sensor while still providing sufficient sample volume for accurate analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If a large volume of oil is used for sampling, then the sample is sufficient for analysis, but the oil takes a long time to cool down to room temperature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil sample volumeVSAvoidcooling time

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses only the partial volume of oil needed for vapor analysis (1-5 mL in disposable bottles) rather than large volumes. This partial action approach provides sufficient sample for accurate vapor sensing while dramatically reducing the thermal mass, allowing the sample to reach room temperature quickly for timely field analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Productivity

If the sample is tested at different temperatures than calibration samples, then the analysis can be performed, but erroneous readings occur due to temperature sensitivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanalysis speedVSAvoidreading accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates temperature compensation mechanisms that detect the sample temperature and adjust the vapor pressure reference values accordingly. This allows accurate fuel dilution measurements to be performed at various temperatures without requiring the sample to equilibrate to a specific temperature, maintaining measurement precision while enabling rapid field analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The portable device provides accurate fuel dilution detection with a range of 0.2% to 15% accuracy, is resistant to contamination, and allows for rapid sampling and analysis, enabling on-site use with reduced oil volume and quick temperature stabilization.

Implementation Method 1

an absorbent material in each sample bottle provides a consistent surface area for vapor build up in the sample bottle headspace

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

an absorbent material in each sample bottle provides a consistent surface area for vapor build up in the sample bottle headspace as well a heat sink to cool oil samples quickly to room temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

Vapor sensing devices using a surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor are known

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface acoustic wave: Surface Acoustic Wave

Data Source

PatentUS9638669B2Portable fuel dilution meter and method

Publication Date: 2017.05.02 SPECTRO SCIENTIFIC INC

AI summary

A portable fuel dilution meter and method includes a plurality of sample bottles each with a lid securable thereto and an absorbent material in the bottle. A housing includes a sample bottle receptacle and a hinged head unit over the receptacle including at least a first needle piercing the lid of a sample bottle loaded into the housing receptacle and extending into the headspace of the sample bottle when the head is closed. A vapor sensor is fluidly coupled to the first needle for analyzing vapors in the headspace of the sample bottle.