On-vehicle water in fuel sensing system and related signal processing

Inventors

Goltzman, Chad M. • Moravec, Davis B. • Yoder, Mikayla A. • Cronin, Michael J. • Hansen, Sterling C. • Hauser, Bradly G. • Lauer, David D. • Miller, Danny W.

Assignees

Donaldson Co Inc

Abstract

Embodiments herein relate to water in fuel sensing systems that can be mounted on-vehicle. In an embodiment, a water in fuel sensing system is included having a light source, a light detector, and a sensor controller, wherein the sensor controller is in signal communication with the light detector and the sensor controller is configured to evaluate signals received from the light detector, identify water droplets based on the signals received from the light detector, record information regarding the classified water droplets, and generate an estimate of an amount of water in a fuel. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Core Innovation

The invention relates to a water in fuel sensing system that includes a light source, a light detector, and a sensor controller. The sensor controller evaluates signals received from the light detector, where the signals comprise an absorbance peak, and uses the absorbance peak to distinguish between air bubbles and water droplets while recording information regarding the water droplets.

The sensor controller generates an estimate of an amount of water in a fuel based on the evaluated absorbance peak. In some implementations, the distinguishing is based on a peak width of the absorbance peak received from the light detector, and additional signal evaluation features include comparing a ratio of the peak magnitude of the absorbance peak to the peak width of the absorbance peak and using signal trends relative to a baseline level to estimate droplet size.

The sensing system further includes approaches for improving air-bubble versus water-droplet discrimination using a reflection peak prior to the absorbance peak, including comparing magnitude of the reflection peak before the absorbance peak. In further implementations, the sensing system uses a first and second light detector to detect absorbance and detect reflection of light from bubbles, respectively, and still records droplet information and generates an estimate of an amount of water in a fuel based on the evaluated signals.

Claims Coverage

The independent claims define a water in fuel sensing system that evaluates absorbance peak signals, distinguishes air bubbles from water droplets using a peak-width-based discriminator, records information regarding the water droplets, and generates an estimate of an amount of water in a fuel. Across the independent claims, there are three main inventive feature sets.

Across the independent claims, the core claim coverage centers on evaluating absorbance peak signals and using peak width of the absorbance peak to distinguish air bubbles from water droplets, while recording droplet-related information and generating an estimate of an amount of water in the fuel. Additional claim refinements include using ratios of peak magnitude to peak width, using reflection peak magnitude prior to the absorbance peak, estimating droplet size from light-received trends relative to a baseline level, specifying absorbance detection by a first detector and bubble reflection detection by a second detector, and using near-infrared plus visible-spectrum illumination.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications