Electrochemical sensing of lubricant condition

• US 20050067302A1
• Filed: 09/29/2003
• Published: 03/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Innovative Technology Licensing LLC (Teledyne Technologies Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Innovative Technology Licensing LLC (Teledyne Technologies Incorporated)
• Inventors: Discenzo, Frederick M., Kendig, Martin W.
• Application Number:
  US10/675,699
• Publication Number:
  US 20050067302A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 205/775
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/406 Cells and probes with solid electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/407 for investigating or analysing gases G01N27/411 takes precedence

Abstract

A sensor, and method of using the sensor, for determining changes in the chemical or electrolytic properties of non-electrolyte, or weakly electrolytic fluids comprising an anode, cathode and reference electrode covered by a solid electrolyte film. Changes in these properties are indicative of degradation of the fluid or dissolution therein of conductive materials from the surfaces in contact with that fluid.

Claims

1. A method of correlating changes in the chemical and physical properties of non-electrolytic or weakly electrolytic fluids comprising monitoring the electrical response of said fluid over a period of time to an electrical potential applied to the fluid using a solid state device positioned within said fluid comprising a set of electrodes consisting of at least an anode, a cathode and a reference electrode, said set of electrodes being encapsulated in a solid electrolyte film, an exterior surface of the film being in contact with said fluid.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the electrical potential is applied through the anode and is cycled from about −

1.4 volts to about 1.4 volts and the current flowing through the fluid in response thereto is monitored at the cathode.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein the solid electrolyte film comprises a perfluorosulfonate ionomer film.

3. A device for monitoring the existence of electrolytic species existing in or generated during the use of a non-electrolytic of weakly electrolytic fluids, the device comprising a set of electrodes consisting of at least an anode, a cathode and a reference electrode encapsulated in a solid electrolyte film, an exterior surface of the film being in contact with said fluid.