Patent ID: 6885199
Filing Date: 2005-04-26
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A fuel sensor, comprising: a capacitor having a first, generally cylindrical electrode and a second electrode at least partially surrounding the first electrode, the electrodes being spaced apart such that the fuel flows between the electrodes; a first oscillator selectively coupled with the capacitor to provide an indication of the capacitance of the capacitor when the fuel is between the electrodes; a second oscillator selectively coupled with the capacitor to provide an indication of the conductance of the capacitor when the fuel is between the electrodes; and a controller that operates the first and second oscillators with the capacitor to obtain the respective indications; a temperature indicator that communicates fuel temperature information to the controller, the controller uses the temperature information, the capacitance indication and the conductance indication to determine the contents of the fuel; and a memory portion having a plurality of predetermined values indicative of fuel content and wherein the controller determines the fuel content from among the predetermined values based upon the temperature information, the capacitance indication and the conductance indication.