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Oil deterioration sensor

  • US 5,540,086 A
  • Filed: 08/30/1994
  • Issued: 07/30/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/30/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A capacitive oil deterioration sensor comprising:

  • a threaded metal housing having an inner end for threading into an oil pan of an automobile or other engine, said inner end including supports attached thereto;

    a heat-conducting substrate mounted within said inner end and insulated from said housing, said substrate including an inner surface and an outer surface and a first capacitive plate on said outer surface;

    a second capacitive plate mounted to said housing by said supports close to but apart from said first capacitive plate such that oil freely circulates within a gap between said first and second capacitive plates, said first and second capacitive plates defining an oil deterioration sensor capacitor;

    a total reference capacitor including an external fixed reference capacitor, said oil deterioration sensor capacitor and said total reference capacitor providing an indication of viscosity of said oil within said gap; and

    a temperature sensitive resistive element thermally connected to said inner surface of said substrate for providing a temperature adjustment to said indication of viscosity in response to a temperature of said oil.

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