Device and method for sensing water and/or acid in the presence of water in non-aqueous media

A device for sensing acid content in the presence of water in a nonaqueous medium comprising:

• an insulating substrate;
• interdigitated electrodes deposited on said substrate;
• and
• an insulating form of a conductive polymer, the conductive polymer deposited over the interdigitated electrodes to bridge between adjacent digits of the electrodes, wherein the insulating form is converted to its conductive form by protonation with the acid and hydration with the water to provide a current which is proportional to the amount of acid and which is measurable.

A monitoring system for monitoring water content and acid content in the presence of water in nonaqueous media comprising:

• a sensor mounted to be exposed to the nonaqueous media comprising:
• an insulating substrate;
• electrodes formed on the substrate each having an interdigitated portion;
• and
• an insulating form of a conductive polymer, the conductive polymer deposited over the interdigitated portion of the electrodes as a thin film in an amount sufficient to bridge between adjacent digits, the insulating form being converted to its conductive form by protonation with the acid and hydration with the water in the nonaqueous media to provide a current which is proportional to the amount of acid and to the amount of water and which is measurable;
• control means for measuring the conductivity of the sensor, the control means being capable of indicating when the conductivity reaches a predetermined level;
• warning means for providing an indication when the predetermined level is reached;
• and
• means for interconnecting the sensor and the warning means to the control means.

An automotive monitoring system for monitoring water content and acid content in the presence of water in a nonaqueous medium comprising:

• a sensor mounted to be exposed to the nonaqueous medium comprising:
• an insulating substrate;
• electrodes formed on the substrate each having an interdigitated portion;
• and
• an insulating form of a conductive polymer, the conductive polymer deposited over the interdigitated portion of the electrodes as a thin film in an amount sufficient to bridge between adjacent digits, the insulating form being converted to its conductive form by protonation with the acid and hydration with the water in the nonaqueous medium to provide a current which is proportional to the amount of acid and to the amount of water and which is measurable;
• control means for measuring the conductivity of the sensor, the control means being capable of indicating when the conductivity reaches a predetermined level;
• warning means for providing an indication when the predetermined level is reached;
• and
• means for interconnecting the sensor and the warning means to the control means.

An automotive sensor for sensing water content in hydrocarbon-based oil and fluid comprising:

• an insulating substrate;
• interdigitated electrodes deposited on said substrate;
• and
• an insulating form of polyaniline, said polyaniline deposited over the interdigitated electrodes to bridge between adjacent digits of the electrodes, wherein the insulating form of the polyaniline is converted to its conductive form by hydration with the water in the hydrocarbon-based oil and fluid to provide a current which is proportional to the amount of water and which is measurable.

An automotive sensor for sensing acid content in the presence of water in hydrocarbon-based oil and fluid comprising:

• an insulating substrate;
• interdigitated electrodes deposited on said substrate;
• and
• an insulating form of polyaniline deposited over the interdigitated electrodes to bridge between adjacent digits of the electrodes, wherein the insulating form of the polyaniline is converted to its conductive form by protonation with the acid and hydration with the water in the hydrocarbon-based oil and fluid to provide a current which is proportional to the amount of acid and which is measurable.