Oil deterioration sensor
First Claim
1. An oil deterioration detection apparatus comprising a sensing capacitor formed of paired electrodes dipped into oil whose deterioration is to be detected, the oil deterioration detection apparatus detecting deterioration of the oil on the basis of a change in electrostatic capacitance of the sensing capacitor, the apparatus comprising:
- a measurement signal generation circuit for generating a measurement signal to be supplied to the sensing capacitor in order to measure the electrostatic capacitance of the sensing capacitor;
a detection signal output circuit for outputting a detection signal on the basis of a response wave signal produced from the sensing capacitor in response to supply of the measurement signal thereto, the detection signal reflecting the electrostatic capacitance of the sensing capacitor; and
an output compensation mechanism for compensating the detection signal for an output level change stemming from a temperature characteristic and/or a time-course deterioration of the detection signal output circuit.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An engine oil deterioration detection apparatus 1 includes a sensing capacitor CS formed of paired electrodes dipped into engine oil whose deterioration is to be detected, the engine oil deterioration detection apparatus detecting deterioration of the engine oil on the basis of a change in electrostatic capacitance of the sensing capacitor CS. A measurement signal generation circuit 10 generates a measurement signal (6) to be supplied to the sensing capacitor CS in order to measure the electrostatic capacitance of the sensing capacitor CS. A detection signal output circuit 30 outputs a detection signal (10) on the basis of a response wave signal (7) produced from the sensing capacitor CS in response to supply of the measurement signal (6) thereto, the detection signal reflecting the electrostatic capacitance of the sensing capacitor CS. A temperature compensation mechanism 31 is provided in order to compensate for a level change of the detection signal (10) stemming from a temperature characteristic and/or a time-course deterioration of the detection signal output circuit. Thus, deterioration of oil can be accurately detected all times on the basis of electrostatic capacitance of the oil, even when the temperature of the circuit system for measurement changes or the circuit system deteriorates with time.
-
Citations
12 Claims
-
1. An oil deterioration detection apparatus comprising a sensing capacitor formed of paired electrodes dipped into oil whose deterioration is to be detected, the oil deterioration detection apparatus detecting deterioration of the oil on the basis of a change in electrostatic capacitance of the sensing capacitor, the apparatus comprising:
-
a measurement signal generation circuit for generating a measurement signal to be supplied to the sensing capacitor in order to measure the electrostatic capacitance of the sensing capacitor;
a detection signal output circuit for outputting a detection signal on the basis of a response wave signal produced from the sensing capacitor in response to supply of the measurement signal thereto, the detection signal reflecting the electrostatic capacitance of the sensing capacitor; and
an output compensation mechanism for compensating the detection signal for an output level change stemming from a temperature characteristic and/or a time-course deterioration of the detection signal output circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
Specification