Patent ID: 6038914
Filing Date: 2000-03-21
Classification: G01M

Abstract:
A leak sensor system comprising:a leak sensor assembly; anda leak sensor interface,wherein said leak sensor assembly is adapted to be in electrical communication with said leak sensor interface,said interface provides a source voltage to said sensor assembly and receives an output voltage from said sensor assembly, anda comparison of said source and output voltages is indicative of a wet or dry condition sensed by said leak sensor assembly said leak sensor assembly further comprising:a) an initial impedance component which provides a predetermined voltage as a function of said source voltage;b) a sensing impedance component which has a first sensing impedance when in a dry state, and has a second sensing impedance when in contact with a conductive liquid, and which is disposed such that said output voltage is generated at a junction of said initial impedance component and said sensing impedance component as a function of said first or second sensing impedance and said predetermined voltage; andc) a terminal impedance component being electrically connected to said sensing impedance component and having a characteristic, such that the output voltage in said dry state is altered by said terminal impedance component to be substantially equal to the source voltage when damage to or breakage of the sensing impedance component has occurred.