초록

A method and apparatus for detecting contaminants in hydrocarbon fuel are disclosed, wherein a fuel analyzer includes a flow sensor to facilitate an automatic start up and shut down of a fuel analysis, and a calibration standard to facilitate an inline calibration of the fuel analyzer.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. Apparatus for analyzing fuel comprising: means for conveying fuel from a source along a path; means for analyzing the fuel being conveyed for at least one of water contamination and particulate contamination in the fuel, the means for analyzing the fuel including a light sour

What is claimed is: 1. Apparatus for analyzing fuel comprising: means for conveying fuel from a source along a path; means for analyzing the fuel being conveyed for at least one of water contamination and particulate contamination in the fuel, the means for analyzing the fuel including a light source for producing a beam, and at least one of a forward scatter sensor and a ninety degree scatter sensor; and means for selectively calibrating the means for analyzing the fuel including a calibration standard movable to and from a sensing zone of the means for analyzing, the calibration standard selectively refracting the beam causing a portion thereof to be directed to the forward scatter sensor and another portion thereof to be directed to the ninety degree scatter sensor to create a selected scattering signal for calibrating the means for analyzing the fuel. 2. Apparatus defined in claim 1, including a sensor for sensing the flow of fuel. 3. Apparatus defined in claim 2, wherein the sensor is disposed within the means for conveying fuel. 4. Apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the means for calibrating is disposed within the means for conveying fuel. 5. Apparatus defined in claim 4, wherein the means for calibrating is positioned within an area of turbulent flow of the fuel flowing through the means for conveying fuel. 6. Apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the means for calibrating functions upon at least one of a predetermined amount of time and a predetermined number of analysis cycles. 7. Apparatus defined in claim 1, including a means for transmitting analysis data to a data gathering device. 8. Apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the means for calibrating is generally cube shaped. 9. Apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the means for calibrating is formed from glass. 10. Apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the means for calibrating includes at least one inclusion. 11. Apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the means for calibrating includes at least one surface imperfection.