Patent ID: 7834646
Filing Date: 2010-11-16
Classification: A47J,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method of measuring the quality and/or the degradation of a food oil, said method comprising the steps of: immersing a sensor in said oil to be measured, said sensor comprising at least one pair of electrodes spaced apart from each other and extending in substantially the same plane, each electrode of each pair of electrodes further having the shape of a comb having a plurality of substantially parallel teeth, the teeth of one of the electrodes being interdigited with the teeth of the other electrode, the electrodes and said oil forming a measuring capacitive element whose capacitance varies as a function of the dielectric constant of the oil, said sensor providing an electrical output signal representative of said dielectric constant; receiving said output signal and determining the degree of quality and/or degradation of said oil on the basis of said output signal; immersing both sides of the electrodes in the oil, on either side of said plane, such that said oil can flow passing through said plane, and selecting a gap between adjacent ones of said teeth to be between 10 nm and 1 mm.