Debris detection system and method
First Claim
1. In a fluid system having a reservoir from which a primary flow and a secondary flow originate for serving a common system, a system for detecting debris originating in the common system being served, comprising:
- means for diverting debris from the common system being served to the secondary flow at its point of origin in the reservoir;
monitoring means located in said secondary flow for detecting debris accumulation within the secondary flow.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A debris detection system for detecting debris in a fluid flow in which both a primary and a secondary fluid flow from a fluid reservoir are maintained. The fluid reservoir is situated downstream of the system being served and receives the debris from the system being served. Within the reservoir the primary fluid flow is shielded from all but the colloidal debris received. All non-colloidal as well as colloidal debris is diverted to the secondary fluid flow where the amount and rate of debris accumulation is detected.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. In a fluid system having a reservoir from which a primary flow and a secondary flow originate for serving a common system, a system for detecting debris originating in the common system being served, comprising:
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means for diverting debris from the common system being served to the secondary flow at its point of origin in the reservoir; monitoring means located in said secondary flow for detecting debris accumulation within the secondary flow. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. In a lubricating system having a reservoir from which a primary flow and a secondary flow originate, said secondary flow serving as an auxilliary source of lubrication in the event of failure of the primary flow, a system for detecting debris, comprising:
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means for diverting debris to the secondary flow at its point of origin in the reservoir; means for shielding the point of origin of the primary flow, thereby excluding debris from entering the primary flow; and monitoring means located in said secondary flow for detecting debris accumulation within the secondary flow. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for detecting debris within a fluid system, said system having a reservoir from which a primary flow and a secondary flow originate, the method comprising the steps of:
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diverting debris to the secondary flow at its point of origin in the reservoir; shielding the point of origin of the primary flow, thereby excluding debris from entering the primary flow; and detecting the debris accumulation within the secondary flow. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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Specification