Patent ID: 7220386
Filing Date: 2007-05-22
Classification: F02D,F02M,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An on-board engine fuel properties measurement system comprising: a test cell for receiving a portion of on-board fuel; a heater mounted within the test cell for heating the fuel in the test cell, wherein resistance of the heater rapidly increases as a function of time as the temperature of the heater approaches a critical temperature; a circuit for measuring electrical properties, including electrical current, of the heater and determining an elapsed time until such rapid heater resistance increase occurs; and a controller for receiving the measured electrical properties and the elapsed time, the controller being configured to integrate the electrical current of the heater over the elapsed time to calculate an energy consumption value of the heater using the integrated electrical current value, wherein the energy consumption value of the heater is used to determine a fuel volatility index for the on-board fuel.