Water In Fuel Sensor With Integrated Static Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water in fuel (WIF) sensors lack a means to dissipate electrostatic charges without requiring additional electrical components like resistance heaters or pumps, which may not be present in all fuel canister systems.
Innovation Solution
A WIF sensor with three electrical contacts, including a pair of elongated metal pins to detect water and a third contact assembly that uses a spring-loaded, conductive pin to dissipate static electricity to ground, eliminating the need for external grounding components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a grounding connector is placed between the filter and external electrical components (heater, pump, sensor), then static electricity can be dissipated, but the system requires additional electrical features that may not be present in all fuel canister systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the water detection function and static electricity dissipation function into a single WIF sensor assembly. The sensor body integrates two pins for water detection and a grounding connector for static dissipation, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining both functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The WIF sensor assembly serves multiple functions: detecting water presence through two pins and dissipating static electricity through the grounding connector. This multi-functional design allows the same component to address both water detection requirements and electrostatic discharge needs without requiring additional electrical features in the fuel canister system.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple electrical components are added to the fuel canister system for grounding, then static electricity can be dissipated, but the device complexity and number of parts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the water detection function and static electricity dissipation function into a single WIF sensor assembly. The sensor body integrates two pins for water detection and a grounding connector for static dissipation, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining both functions.
3Measurement precision
If a WIF sensor with water detection capability is installed, then water presence can be detected, but the sensor cannot dissipate static electricity without additional grounding components
Solution Approach 1:
The WIF sensor assembly serves multiple functions: detecting water presence through two pins and dissipating static electricity through the grounding connector. This multi-functional design allows the same component to address both water detection requirements and electrostatic discharge needs without requiring additional electrical features in the fuel canister system.
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
Effectively detects water presence and dissipates static electricity within the fuel filter, ensuring reliable operation without requiring additional electrical features in the fuel canister system.
Implementation Method 1
a third contact assembly positioned within the sensor body and in electrical contact with the second electrical lead. The third contact assembly includes a spring-loaded, conductive pin that extends through a hole in the housing and is biased by the spring towards the filter element. The pin is used to dissipate static electricity from the filter element to ground.
Implementation Method 2
The pin is used to dissipate static electricity from the filter element to ground
Implementation Method 3
a resistance heating system may be provided along a top portion of the fuel canister, and is used to heat the fuel
Implementation Method 4
The third contact assembly includes a spring-loaded, conductive pin that extends through a hole in the housing and is biased by the spring towards the filter element
Data Source
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AI summary
A water in fuel (WIF) sensor (20) is disclosed, and comprises a main body (30) defining a surface, a pair of electrical contacts (50, 52), and a third electrical contact assembly (56). The pair of electrical contacts (50, 52) each have a first end portion (60, 62) that is located along the surface of the main body (30). A predetermined resistance flows between the electrical contacts (50, 52) when the first end portions (60, 62) of the electrical contacts (50, 52) are submerged in water. The third electrical contact assembly (56) has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the third electrical contact assembly (56) is located along the surface of the main body (30) and the second end portion of the third electrical contact assembly is connectable to a ground.