Fuel Quality Sensor

A method for determining at least one parameter of a fuel present in a fuel flow path of a fuel dispensing unit, comprising:

• transmitting a first light signal at a first predetermined frequency from a first side of a bypass plenum, the bypass plenum in fluid communication with the fuel flow path and oriented parallel thereto;
• receiving the first light signal at a second side of the bypass plenum, the second side being opposite to the first side;
• determining the least one parameter of the fuel present in the fuel flow path based on the received first light signal at the first predetermined frequency, wherein the determined at least one parameter includes at least one of a water content of the fuel present in the fuel flow path, a presence of air bubbles in the fuel present in the fuel flow path, and an octane rating of the fuel present in the fuel flow path.

A method for detecting at least one parameter of a fuel present in a fuel flow path of a fuel dispensing unit, comprising:

• transmitting a first light signal at a first predetermined frequency from a first side of a stagnant plenum, the stagnant plenum in fluid communication with the fuel flow path and extending orthogonally away from the fuel flow path;
• receiving the first light signal at a second side of the stagnant plenum, the second side being opposite to the first side;
• determining the least one parameter of the fuel present in the fuel flow path based on the received first light signal at the first predetermined frequency, wherein the determined at least one parameter includes at least one of a water content of the fuel present in the fuel flow path, a presence of air bubbles in the fuel present in the fuel flow path, and an octane rating of the fuel present in the fuel flow path.