Coolant corrosiveness indicator

Abstract

A fluid sensor for heat exchanger system includes a supporting device such as a tubular hose fitting for mounting the sensor in the system so that heat exchanging fluid circulated in the system comes into contact with the sensor. A window or sight glass is mounted in the supporting device along with corrodible separating means interposed between the sight glass and the heat exchanging fluid. A visual indicator such as a movable flap or a colored ball can be viewed through the sight glass when the separating means is ruptured or broken by corrosion. The viewing of the indicator provides an indication that the heat exchanging fluid has reached a certain corrosive state and requires replacement or treatment. In a preferred embodiment, the separating means is a metal diaphragm spaced from the sight glass. The diaphragm can be made of one corrodible metal while a ring in which the diaphragm is mounted can be made from a different nobler metal so that the diaphragm and ring form an anode and a cathode of a galvanic couple.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.