Apparatus and method for sensing water within a fuel-water separator assembly
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorRobert D. Straub
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of sensing water within a fuel-water separator assembly disposed within a fuel system of an internal combustion engine is provided. The method includes the steps of: A) monitoring a single selectively activatable sensor within the fuel-water separator assembly to detect the presence of water; B) determining if the sensor is activated for greater than or equal to a first predetermined percentage of time, but less than or equal to a second predetermined percentage of time and providing a first level of warning if true; and C) determining if the sensor is activated for greater than the second predetermined percentage of time and providing a second level of warning if true. An apparatus configured to perform the claimed method is also disclosed.
Claims15
A method of sensing water within a fuel-water separator assembly disposed within a fuel system of an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:
- monitoring a single selectively activatable sensor within the fuel-water separator assembly to detect the presence of water;
- determining if said sensor is activated for greater than or equal to a first predetermined percentage of time, but less than or equal to a second predetermined percentage of time and providing a first level of warning if true;
- and
- determining if said sensor is activated for greater than said second predetermined percentage of time and providing a second level of warning if true.
An apparatus for sensing water within a fuel-water separator assembly disposed within a fuel system of an internal combustion engine, the apparatus comprising:
- a water reservoir mounted with respect to the fuel-water separator assembly and operable to contain water;
- a single selectively activatable sensor mounted with respect to said water reservoir and operable to detect water within said reservoir;
- a controller sufficiently programmed to:
- monitor said sensor to detect the presence of water;
- determine if said sensor is activated for greater than or equal to a first predetermined percentage of time, but less than or equal to a second predetermined percentage of time and command a first level of warning if true;
- and
- determine if said sensor is activated for greater than said second predetermined percentage of time and command a second level of warning if true.
A method of sensing water within a fuel-water separator assembly disposed within a fuel system of an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:
- monitoring a single selectively activatable sensor within the fuel-water separator assembly to detect the presence of water;
- determining if said sensor is activated for greater than or equal to a first predetermined percentage of time, but less than or equal to a second predetermined percentage of time and providing at least one of an audio alarm and a visual alarm if true;
- and
- determining if said sensor is activated for greater than said second predetermined percentage of time and performing at least one of shutting off the internal combustion engine, limiting the maximum power of the internal combustion engine, limiting the speed of the internal combustion engine, and reducing the injection pressure of the fuel system if true.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.