SCALABLE IN-SITU GEAR BOX AND POWERTRAIN LUBRICANT MONITORING SYSTEMS AND METHODS
First Claim
1. An apparatus for in-situ filtering and monitoring of a fluid, comprising:
- a housing which is adapted for being secured directly to a source of the fluid and defines an internal filter chamber;
a filter assembly positioned at least partially in the internal filter chamber of the housing;
a monitoring module in fluid communication with the internal filter chamber of the housing and which includes a sensor which outputs a fluid condition signal indicating a condition of the fluid in the monitoring module; and
wherein the filter assembly and the lubrication monitoring module are arranged so as to create first and second flow paths for the fluid within the housing, the first flow path directing a portion of the fluid from the source, through the filter assembly where it is conditioned and returned to the source, and the second flow path directing a second portion of the fluid from the source to the monitoring module and returned to the source.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is an apparatus for in-situ filtering and monitoring of a lubricating fluid which includes, among other elements, a housing, a filter assembly and a lubrication monitoring module. The housing is adapted for being secured directly to a source of lubricating fluid and defines an internal filter chamber. The filter assembly is positioned at least partially within the internal filter chamber of the housing and the lubrication monitoring module is in fluid communication with the internal filter chamber of the housing. The filter assembly and the lubrication monitoring module are arranged so as to create first and second flow paths for lubricating fluid within the housing. The first flow path directs a portion of the lubricating fluid from the source, through the filter assembly where it is conditioned and returned to the source. The second flow path directs a second portion of the lubricating fluid from the source to the lubrication monitoring module and subsequently it is returned to the source.
3 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An apparatus for in-situ filtering and monitoring of a fluid, comprising:
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a housing which is adapted for being secured directly to a source of the fluid and defines an internal filter chamber; a filter assembly positioned at least partially in the internal filter chamber of the housing; a monitoring module in fluid communication with the internal filter chamber of the housing and which includes a sensor which outputs a fluid condition signal indicating a condition of the fluid in the monitoring module; and wherein the filter assembly and the lubrication monitoring module are arranged so as to create first and second flow paths for the fluid within the housing, the first flow path directing a portion of the fluid from the source, through the filter assembly where it is conditioned and returned to the source, and the second flow path directing a second portion of the fluid from the source to the monitoring module and returned to the source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for in-situ filtering and monitoring of a fluid using a filtering and monitoring apparatus which includes:
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a housing defining an internal filter chamber; a filter assembly inserted at least partially into the internal filter chamber of the housing; and a monitoring module in fluid communication with the internal filter chamber of the housing, the method comprising; directing a portion of the fluid over a first flow path which extends from a fluid source through the filter assembly where it is conditioned and returned to the source; directing a second portion of the fluid over a second flow path which extends from the source to the monitoring module where it is evaluated and returned to the source and which includes a sensor sending the second portion of the fluid; and outputting from the sensor a fluid condition signal indicating a condition of the fluid in the monitoring module. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification