Automated system for identifying and analyzing different types of used lubricants
First Claim
1. An apparatus for identifying a type of lubricant from among a plurality of different types of lubricants, comprising:
- means for obtaining electromagnetic absorption data for a lubricant;
automated means for processing the electromagnetic absorption to determine at least one characteristic chemical property of the lubricant in the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data and for identifying a lubricant type based on the at least one characteristic chemical property; and
means for outputting the lubricant type.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for automatically identifying and analyzing different types of used lubricants is provided. The apparatus includes a spectrometer for obtaining electromagnetic absorption spectrum data for a lubricant, a computer for processing the spectrum data to determine at least one characteristic chemical property of the lubricant, for identifying a lubricant type based on the at least one characteristic chemical property, and for analyzing the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data as a function of the lubricant type to evaluate a use characteristic of the lubricant, and a display for outputting information relating to the use characteristic of the lubricant.
24 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An apparatus for identifying a type of lubricant from among a plurality of different types of lubricants, comprising:
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means for obtaining electromagnetic absorption data for a lubricant; automated means for processing the electromagnetic absorption to determine at least one characteristic chemical property of the lubricant in the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data and for identifying a lubricant type based on the at least one characteristic chemical property; and means for outputting the lubricant type. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 23, 24, 25)
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9. An apparatus for identifying a type of lubricant, comprising:
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means for obtaining electromagnetic absorption spectrum data for a lubricant; automated means for processing the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data to determine at least one characteristic chemical property of the lubricant in the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data and for identifying a lubricant type based on the at least one characteristic chemical property; means for outputting the lubricant type; and wherein the lubricant type can include mineral lubricants and synthetic lubricants.
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11. An apparatus for automatically identifying and analyzing different types of used lubricants, comprising:
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means for obtaining electromagnetic absorption spectrum data for a lubricant; automated means for processing the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data to determine at least one characteristic chemical property of the lubricant, for identifying a lubricant type based on the at least one characteristic chemical property, and for analyzing the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data as a function of the lubricant type to indicate and evaluate a use characteristic of the lubricant indicative of the condition of the lubricant; and means for outputting information relating to the use characteristic of the lubricant. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus for automatically identifying and analyzing different types of used lubricants, comprising:
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means for obtaining electromagnetic absorption spectrum data for a lubricant; automated means for processing the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data to determine at least one characteristic chemical property of the lubricant, for identifying a lubricant type based on the at least one characteristic chemical property, and for analyzing the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data as a function of the lubricant type to indicate and evaluate a use characteristic of the lubricant indicative of the condition of the lubricant; means for outputting information relating to the use characteristic of the lubricant; and wherein said automated means causes an error message to be communicated by way of the output means in the event the automated means is unable to identify the lubricant type.
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19. An apparatus for automatically identifying and analyzing different types of used lubricants, comprising:
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means for obtaining electromagnetic absorption spectrum data for a lubricant; automated means for processing the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data to determine at least one characteristic chemical property of the lubricant, for identifying a lubricant type based on the at least one characteristic chemical property, and for analyzing the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data as a function of the lubricant type to indicate and evaluate a use characteristic of the lubricant indicative of the condition of the lubricant; means for outputting information relating to the use characteristic of the lubricant; and wherein the lubricant type can include mineral lubricants and synthetic lubricants.
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20. An apparatus for automatically identifying and analyzing different types of used lubricants, comprising:
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means for obtaining electromagnetic absorption spectrum data for a lubricant; automated means for processing the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data to determine at least one characteristic chemical property of the lubricant, for identifying a lubricant type based on the at least one characteristic chemical property, and for analyzing the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data as a function of the lubricant type to indicate and evaluate a use characteristic of the lubricant indicative of the condition of the lubricant; means for outputting information relating to the use characteristic of the lubricant; and wherein the lubricant type can include mineral lubricants, synthetic organic ester lubricants and phosphate ester lubricants.
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21. An apparatus for automatically identifying and analyzing different types of used lubricants, comprising:
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means for obtaining electromagnetic absorption spectrum data for a lubricant; automated means for processing the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data to determine at least one characteristic chemical property of the lubricant, for identifying a lubricant type based on the at least one characteristic chemical property, and for analyzing the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data as a function of the lubricant type to indicate and evaluate a use characteristic of the lubricant indicative of the condition of the lubricant; means for outputting information relating to the use characteristic of the lubricant; and wherein the at least one characteristic chemical property is selected from a group of spectral data components including a CH2 -wagging component, a CH2 -scissoring component, a carbonyl component and a phosphate component.
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22. An apparatus for identifying a type of lubricant, comprising:
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means for obtaining electromagnetic absorption spectrum data for a lubricant; automated means for processing the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data to determine at least one characteristic chemical property of the lubricant in the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data and for identifying a lubricant type based on the at least one characteristic chemical property; means for outputting the lubricant type; and wherein the means for processing analyzes the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data to locate peaks in the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data, the peaks and their respective spectral wavenumbers representing the at least one characteristic chemical property.
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Specification