Fuel quality sensor assembly and method of use

Abstract

Described herein is a sensing element for sensing a fluid composition comprising an electrode base having a first electrode and a second electrode disposed thereon; the first electrode and the second electrode being electrically isolated from one another except through an external circuitry; the first electrode and the second electrode being configured, dimensioned, and positioned to define a gap therebetween such that electrical conduction through a fluid within the gap is proportional to a composition of the fluid. A sensing assembly is also described including a combination fuel pressure regulator and composition sensor. Also described herein is a method of using the sensing element in sensing a fluid composition.

1 . A sensing element for measuring a fluid composition comprising: 
 an electrode base being disposed about an axis, said electrode base having an inner surface defining an aperture extending through the electrode base for allowing a fluid to flow therethrough; and    a first electrode and a second electrode coupled to said electrode base and electrically isolated from one another, said first electrode in electrical communication with said electrode base and having a first plurality of electrode teeth extending radially inwardly from said inner surface of the electrode base into said aperture, and said second electrode having a second plurality of electrode teeth extending radially inwardly from said inner surface into said aperture, said first plurality of electrode teeth being electrically connected together, and said second plurality of electrode teeth being electrically connected together, wherein said second plurality of electrode teeth are arranged in a substantially alternating pattern between said first plurality of electrode teeth to form a plurality of gaps having average widths of about 0.01 to about 10 millimeters and disposed between each of said first plurality of electrode teeth and said second plurality of electrode teeth, wherein electrical conduction through the fluid between said plurality of gaps is indicative of the composition of said fluid.    
   
   
       2 . (Cancelled)  
   
   
       3 . The sensing element of  claim 1 , wherein said electrode base has both said inner surface and an outer surface disposed around said axis; 
 said inner surface being separated from said outer surface by a thickness; and    said electrode base defining a flow path parallel to said axis, and said flow path having a flow path length.    
   
   
       4 . The sensing element of  claim 3 , wherein the total surface area of said first electrode is greater than or equal to about 50 square millimeters.  
   
   
       5 . The sensing element of  claim 3 , wherein a ratio of the total surface area of said first electrode to the total surface area of said second electrode is about 1:0.01 to about 1:100.  
   
   
       6 . The sensing element of  claim 3 , wherein the total surface area of said first electrode is about equal to the total surface area of said second electrode.  
   
   
       7 . (Cancelled)  
   
   
       8 . A method of sensing a fluid composition comprising: 
 contacting said fluid composition with a sensing element in communication with a circuitry, said sensing element comprising: 
 an electrode base being disposed about an axis, said electrode base having an inner surface defining an aperture extending through the electrode base for allowing a fluid to flow therethrough, and a first electrode and a second electrode coupled to said electrode base and electrically isolated from one another, said first electrode in electrical communication with said electrode base and having a first plurality of electrode teeth extending radially inwardly from said inner surface of the electrode base into said aperture, and said second electrode having a second plurality of electrode teeth extending radially inwardly from said inner surface into said aperture, said first plurality of electrode teeth being electrically connected together, and said second plurality of electrode teeth being electrically connected together, wherein said second plurality of electrode teeth are arranged in a substantially alternating pattern between said first plurality of electrode teeth to form a plurality of gaps having average widths of about 0.01 to about 10 millimeters and disposed between each of said first plurality of electrode teeth and said second plurality of electrode teeth, wherein electrical conduction through the fluid between said plurality of gaps is indicative of the composition of said fluid, and a first electrical connector to provide electrical communication between said first electrode and said circuitry, and a second electrical connector to provide electrical communication between said second electrode and said circuitry;  
 determining said electrical conduction of said fluid; and  
 correlating said electrical conduction to said fluid composition.  
   
   
   
       9 . (Cancelled)  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said electrode base has both said inner surface and an outer surface disposed around said axis; 
 said inner surface being separated from said outer surface by a thickness;    said electrode base defining a flow path parallel to said axis; and    said flow path having a flow path length.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the total surface area of said first electrode is greater than or equal to about 50 square millimeters.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein a ratio of the total surface area of said first electrode to the total surface area of said second electrode is about 1:0.01 to about 1:100.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the total surface area of said first electrode is about equal to the total surface area of said second electrode.  
   
   
       14 . (Cancelled)