Fluid quality control using broad spectrum impedance spectroscopy
First Claim
1. A fluid property quality control method, comprising the steps of:
- a) obtaining a set of calibration fluids representative of a manufacturing process;
b) performing impedance measurements on each of the calibration fluids to obtain first impedance spectroscopy (IS) data, wherein the first IS data include data for at least three frequencies;
c) analyzing the first IS data providing first IS signatures indicative of properties for each of the calibration fluids;
d) performing impedance measurements on a test fluid providing second IS data, wherein the second IS data include data for at least three frequencies;
e) analyzing the second IS data providing second IS signatures indicative of properties of the test fluid;
f) comparing the first IS signatures and the second IS signatures providing quality control information relating to the properties of the test fluid; and
g) modifying the manufacturing process responsive to the quality control information.
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Abstract
A system and method for monitoring and controlling the properties of fluids is disclosed. The inventive concept employs impedance spectroscopy (IS) measurements, and is suitable for real-time, in situ, monitoring and quality control operations, such as quality control during the manufacture of blended lubricants. IS data are obtained for three or more frequencies, where the lowest frequency is less than 1 Hz and the highest frequency is greater than 1 Hz. These data may be interpreted according to statistical techniques such as Principal Component Regression, analytical techniques such as equivalent circuit modeling, or by a combination thereof. The data analysis provides characteristics, or IS signatures, relating to the properties of the fluid. IS signatures for a test fluid are compared to IS signatures for calibration fluids to determine whether the properties of the test fluid fall within specified limits. Quality control adjustments to the test fluid properties may be performed based on the IS signatures.
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Citations
62 Claims
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1. A fluid property quality control method, comprising the steps of:
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a) obtaining a set of calibration fluids representative of a manufacturing process;
b) performing impedance measurements on each of the calibration fluids to obtain first impedance spectroscopy (IS) data, wherein the first IS data include data for at least three frequencies;
c) analyzing the first IS data providing first IS signatures indicative of properties for each of the calibration fluids;
d) performing impedance measurements on a test fluid providing second IS data, wherein the second IS data include data for at least three frequencies;
e) analyzing the second IS data providing second IS signatures indicative of properties of the test fluid;
f) comparing the first IS signatures and the second IS signatures providing quality control information relating to the properties of the test fluid; and
g) modifying the manufacturing process responsive to the quality control information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A quality control system controlling properties of a fluid, comprising:
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a) an impedance spectroscopy (IS) probe operatively disposed in contact with the fluid;
b) an impedance spectrometer, operatively connected to the IS probe, wherein the impedance spectrometer performs impedance measurements on the fluid, and wherein the impedance spectrometer provides IS data for at least three distinct frequencies;
c) a data processing system, operatively connected to the impedance spectrometer receiving the IS data, wherein the data processing system provides first IS signatures indicative of the fluid properties, and wherein the data processing system provides quality control information responsive to a comparison of the first IS signatures to a set of second IS signatures, wherein the set of second IS signatures are indicative of properties of a set of calibration fluids; and
d) a Quality Control Operator, operatively disposed to receive the quality control information from the data processing system, and wherein the Quality Control Operator modifies the fluid properties in response to the quality control information. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 46)
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31. A quality control system controlling properties of a fluid, comprising:
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a) means for obtaining a set of calibration fluids representative of a manufacturing process;
b) means for performing impedance measurements at on each of the calibration fluids to obtain first impedance spectroscopy (IS) data, wherein the first IS data include data for at least three frequencies;
c) means for analyzing the first IS data providing first IS signatures indicative of properties for each of the calibration fluids;
d) means for performing impedance measurements on a test fluid providing second IS data, wherein the second IS data include data for at least three frequencies;
e) means for analyzing the second IS data providing second IS signatures indicative of properties of the test fluid;
f) means for comparing the first IS signatures and the second IS signatures providing quality control information relating to the properties of the test fluid; and
g) means for modifying the properties of the test fluid responsive to the quality control information. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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47. A fluid property quality control method, comprising the steps of:
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a) obtaining a set of calibration fluids representative of a first product;
b) performing impedance measurements on each of the calibration fluids to obtain first impedance spectroscopy (IS) data, wherein the first IS data include data for at least three frequencies;
c) analyzing the first IS data providing first IS signatures indicative of properties for each of the calibration fluids;
d) performing impedance measurements on a test fluid providing second IS data, wherein the test fluid is representative of a second product, and wherein the second IS data include data for at least three frequencies;
e) analyzing the second IS data providing second IS signatures indicative of properties of the test fluid;
f) comparing the first IS signatures and the second IS signatures providing quality control information relating to the properties of the test fluid; and
g) selectively accepting the second product, responsive to the quality control information. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62)
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Specification