COMBINATION CONTAMINANT SIZE AND NATURE SENSING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DIAGNOSING CONTAMINATION ISSUES IN FLUIDS

• US 20100306140A1
• Filed: 08/03/2010
• Published: 12/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP Inc. (Cummins Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP Inc. (Cummins Incorporated)
• Inventors: Verdegan, Barry M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,607,621 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 706/12
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/0205 by optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/06 Investigating concentration of particle suspensions by weighing G01N5/00; investigating sedimentation of particle suspensions G01N15/04; investigating individual particles G01N15/10

Abstract

Systems and methods used to monitor a fluid where it is important to know the size, concentration and nature of particulates in the fluid. For example, the systems and method can be used to diagnose contamination issues in fluids such as fuel, lubrication, power transfer, heat exchange or other fluids in fluid systems, for example diesel engines or hydraulic systems, where contaminant particles in the fluids are of concern.

Claims

1-24. -24. (canceled)

25. A method of classification of contaminant particles to aid in diagnosing contamination issues in a fluid, comprising:

creating classification categories of contaminant particles commonly found in a fluid that is to be tested for contamination;

obtaining data relating to a characteristic of contaminant particles in a fluid sample; and

classifying the contaminant particles in the fluid sample into the created classification categories using the obtained characteristic data.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising determining a material property of the contaminant particles based on the characteristic data, and classifying the contaminant particles into the classification categories based on the material property.

27. The method of claim 25, comprising classifying the contaminant particles based on characteristic ratio.

28. The method of claim 25, further comprising one or more of the following based on the classified contaminant particles:

generating a visual or audible report, taking corrective action, directly or indirectly informing an operator, suggesting a corrective action to an operator, or interrogating an operator before taking or suggesting a corrective action.