MULTI-MODAL FLUID CONDITION SENSOR PLATFORM AND SYSTEM THEREFOR
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Abstract
This invention encompasses embodiments for multi-modal integrated simultaneous measurement of various aspects of fluids contained in circulating systems such as automotive reciprocating engines and vehicle transmissions. These circulating systems perform constant internal lubrication, and heat and contaminant removal to protect the internal moving parts from the inherent friction and damage in normal operation. Most commonly this is achieved with fluids based on hydrocarbon and/or related synthetics, which, over time, can lose their protective properties, and vary in their performance or breakdown/decay due to internal and external events. Several components within the lubricant fluid can be measured and can provide insight into the efficacy of the system to perform its designed mission. Described herein is a real-time, simultaneous, integrated, multi-modal sensor system for early warning notification.
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Citations
59 Claims
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1-26. -26. (canceled)
- 27. An integrated system for continuous monitoring of multiple properties of a fluid derived from measurements from a plurality of sensor modalities within a fluid-based closed-system environment.
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45. A method of continuously monitoring an operating fluid of a machine comprising:
- measuring a first condition of the fluid using a first sensor modality, measuring a second condition of the fluid using a second sensor modality, filtering data from the sensors, integrating the data from the sensors, analyzing the data from the sensors, deriving a property of the fluid from the data, transmitting the derived property of the fluid condition to a receiver, and repeating the process so as to accumulate a time-series of a fluid property that tracks changes in the operating condition of the fluid.
- View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
- 53. An integrated system for monitoring multiple properties, one of which is the level of a fluid in a closed system, comprising a sensor that measures the pressure of the fluid below its surface compared to ambient pressure.
Specification