Oil quality measurement device

• US 20030179002A1
• Filed: 02/26/2003
• Published: 09/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MANN + Hummel GmbH (Hummel Familien-Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH + Co. KG)
• Original Assignee: FILTERWERK Mann & HUMMEL GmbH
• Inventors: Franz, Andreas, Beylich, Markus
• Granted Patent: US 6,853,203 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/663
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 29/60 integrally combined with devices for controlling the filtration
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/143 Filter condition indicators
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/02 by investigating impedance
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/226 Construction of measuring vessels; Electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/2888 Lubricating oil characteristics, e.g. deterioration lubricating properties G01N33/30

Abstract

An oil quality measurement device for an oil circuit (1), which includes an oil condition sensor (2) and an analysis circuit (3). The oil condition sensor (2) is constructed as a capacitive or impedance spectroscopic sensor (4) and attached to the filter element (14) in such a way that, when the filter element (14) is replaced, the oil condition sensor (2) is also automatically replaced.

Claims

1. An oil quality measurement device for an oil circuit, comprising an oil condition sensor electrically connected to an analysis circuit, wherein the oil condition sensor is constructed as a capacitive or impedance spectroscopic sensor and is attached to a filter element such that the oil condition sensor is also replaced when the filter element is replaced.

2. A measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the analysis circuit is disposed on a filter receptacle for an oil filter which comprises said filter element.

3. A measurement device according to claim 2, wherein the analysis circuit is arranged in a separate housing which is attached to the filter receptacle.

4. A measurement device according to claim 2, wherein the filter element is enclosed by a filter housing which is screwed into the filter receptacle, and annular contacts are provided on the filter element for establishing electrical contact between the oil condition sensor and the analysis circuit.

5. A measurement device according to claim 1, wherein a connector plug is provided for establishing electrical contact between the oil condition sensor and the analysis circuit.

6. A measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the oil condition sensor is arranged on a filtered oil side of the filter element.

7. A measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the oil condition sensor is integrated into an end plate of an oil filter which comprises the filter element.

8. A measurement device according to claim 7, wherein the oil condition sensor is constructed in a spiral shape.

9. A measurement device according to claim 7, wherein the oil condition sensor is constructed in a meandering shape.

10. A measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the filter element annularly surrounds a substantially cylindrical foraminous support body, and the oil condition sensor is constructed as a hollow body and is arranged between the filter element and the support body.

11. A measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the filter element annularly surrounds a substantially cylindrical support body, and said support body is constructed as the oil condition sensor.

12. A measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the oil condition sensor is permanently attached to the filter element.

13. A measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the oil condition sensor and the analysis circuit are designed to measure oil quality by impedance spectroscopy.

14. A measurement device according to claim 1, wherein said oil circuit is a lubricating oil circuit of an internal combustion engine.