Fluid quality test method based on impedance

• US 20040257094A1
• Filed: 06/18/2003
• Published: 12/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Halalay, Ion C., Schwartz, Ellen Shirley E.
• Granted Patent: US 6,922,064 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/698
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/02 by investigating impedance
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/2888 Lubricating oil characteristics, e.g. deterioration lubricating properties G01N33/30

Abstract

A system for determining a quality of a fluid includes an impedance cell immersed in the fluid and impedance instrumentation that communicates with the impedance cell. A controller measures a first impedance of the fluid using an electrical signal at a first frequency, measures a second impedance of the fluid using an electrical signal at a second frequency and measures a third impedance of the fluid using an electrical signal at a third frequency. The controller determines a permittivity and a resistivity of the fluid based on the first, second and third impedances. The quality of the fluid is evaluated based on the permittivity and the resistivity.

Claims

1. A system for determining a quality of a fluid, comprising:

an impedance cell immersed in said fluid;

impedance instrumentation that communicates with said impedance cell; and

a controller that measures a first impedance of said fluid using an electrical signal at a first frequency, measures a second impedance of said fluid using an electrical signal at a second frequency, measures a third impedance of said fluid using an electrical signal at a third frequency, determines a permittivity and a resistivity of said fluid based on said first, second and third impedances and evaluates said quality of said fluid based on said permittivity and said resistivity.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a temperature sensor that communicates with said controller, that is immersed in said fluid and that generates a temperature signal.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said controller determines said permittivity and said resistivity by converting values of said permittivity and said resitivity based on said temperature signal to a reference temperature.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein said controller measures said first, second and third impedances when said temperature is equal to a reference temperature.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said controller measures a fourth impedance of said fluid using an electrical signal at a fourth frequency and determines said permittivity and said resistivity of said fluid based on said fourth impedance.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said second frequency is approximately ten times greater than said first frequency.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said third frequency is approximately ten times greater than said second frequency.

8. The system of claim 5 wherein said fourth frequency is approximately ten times greater than said third frequency.

9. A method of determining quality of a fluid, comprising:

measuring a first impedance of said fluid using a signal having a first frequency;

measuring a second impedance of said fluid using a signal having a second frequency;

measuring a third impedance of said fluid using a signal having a third frequency;

determining a permittivity and a resistivity of said fluid based on said first, second and third impedances; and

evaluating said quality of said fluid based on said permittivity and said resistivity.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising measuring a fourth impedance of said fluid using a signal at a fourth frequency, wherein said permittivity and said resistivity of said fluid are further based on said fourth impedance.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein said second frequency is approximately ten times greater than said first frequency.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein said third frequency is approximately ten times greater than said second frequency.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein said fourth frequency is approximately ten times greater than said third frequency.

14. The method of claim 9 further comprising measuring a temperature of said fluid.

15. The method of claim 14 further wherein said step of determining said permittivity and said resistivity includes converting values of said permittivity and said resitivity based on said temperature and a reference temperature.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein said steps of measuring said first, second and third impedances are performed when said temperature is equal to a reference temperature.

17. A method of monitoring usage of equipment having a fluid circulated therethrough, comprising:

determining a permittivity and a resistivity of said fluid;

evaluating a quality of said fluid based on said permittivity and said resistivity; and

determining whether said equipment was improperly maintained based on said quality.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said step of determining said permittivity and said resistivity comprises:

measuring a first impedance of said fluid using a signal having a first frequency;

measuring a second impedance of said fluid using a signal having a second frequency;

measuring a third impedance of said fluid using a signal having a third frequency; and

wherein said permittivity and resistivity are based on said first, second and third impedance and said temperature.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising alerting a user of a low quality condition.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein said quality is a grade of said fluid.

21. The method of claim 17 wherein said quality is a degradation level of said fluid.

22. The method of claim 17 wherein said equipment is improperly maintained by non-replacement of said fluid when said quality has degraded to an unacceptable level.

23. The method of claim 17 wherein said equipment is improperly maintained by introduction of a low quality fluid into said equipment.