Vehicle liquid monitoring system and method
AssigneeUnited Services Automobile Association (USAA)
InventorsZachery C. Lake, Kade L. Scott, Benjamin D. Ethington, Matthew T. Flachsbart, Cory A. Matheson
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Abstract
A vehicle liquid testing system includes a liquid testing apparatus with a form factor of a dipstick. The system includes a sensor that detects a property of a fluid in a vehicle and emits a signal indicative of the property. A transmitter receives the signal from the sensor and transmits the signal. A controller receives the signal from the transmitter and compares the signal from the sensor to a threshold level to determine a condition of the fluid.
Claims20
A vehicle liquid testing system, comprising:
- a liquid testing apparatus with a form factor of a dipstick, wherein the liquid testing apparatus is configured to be inserted into a dipstick conduit of a vehicle, the liquid testing apparatus comprising:
- a power generator configured to generate power;
- a sensor configured to detect a property of a fluid in the vehicle and to emit a signal indicative of the property, wherein the sensor is configured to be powered by the power generator and an external battery positioned outside of the liquid testing apparatus, and wherein the power generator is configured to provide power to the external battery in the vehicle to facilitate recharging the external battery;
- and
- a transmitter configured to receive the signal from the sensor and transmit the signal.
A vehicle liquid testing system, comprising:
- a liquid testing apparatus with a form factor of a dipstick, comprising:
- a sensor configured to detect a property of a fluid in a vehicle and to emit a signal indicative of the property;
- a power source comprising one or more power generators configured to provide power to the sensor and to an external battery in the vehicle to facilitate recharging the external battery;
- a transmitter configured to receive the signal from the sensor and transmit the signal;
- and
- a controller configured to receive the signal from the transmitter, and to compare the signal from the sensor to a threshold level to determine a condition of the fluid.
A liquid testing apparatus with a form factor of a dipstick, comprising:
- a housing comprising:
- a sensor within the housing, wherein the sensor is configured to detect a property of a fluid in a vehicle and to emit a signal indicative of the property;
- a controller within the housing, wherein the controller is configured to receive the signal from the sensor and to compare the signal from the sensor to a threshold level to determine a condition of the fluid;
- and
- a power source within the housing, wherein the power source is configured to power the sensor, the controller, or both, and wherein the power source is configured to provide power to an external battery in the vehicle to facilitate recharging the external battery.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.