Method and apparatus for monitoring a lubricant
First Claim
1. An apparatus for detecting an impending wear event in a machine before its actual onset by monitoring a lubricant in a machine, the apparatus comprising a sensor for producing a signal representing electrostatic activity in a machine lubricant, and a signal processor for processing the signal from the sensor to detect an electrostatic activity precursor indicative of an impending wear event in the machine.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for monitoring a lubricant in a machine comprises sensors S1, S2 for producing signals representing electrostatic activity in a machine lubricant and a temperature sensor for producing a signal representative of the temperature of the lubricant. A signal processor 9 is arranged to process the signals from the sensors S1, S2 to detect an electrostatic activity precursor indicative of an impending wear event in the machine. The signal processor is arranged to operate in response to the temperature sensor to compensate for temperature related changes to the signals from the electrostatic sensors S1, S2.
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Citations
20 Claims
- 1. An apparatus for detecting an impending wear event in a machine before its actual onset by monitoring a lubricant in a machine, the apparatus comprising a sensor for producing a signal representing electrostatic activity in a machine lubricant, and a signal processor for processing the signal from the sensor to detect an electrostatic activity precursor indicative of an impending wear event in the machine.
- 11. A method of detecting an impending wear event in a machine before its actual onset by monitoring a lubricant in a machine, the method comprising producing a signal representing electrostatic activity in a machine lubricant, and processing the signal to detect an electrostatic activity precursor indicative of an impending wear event in the machine.
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19. A method of detecting an impending wear event in a machine before its actual onset by monitoring a machine lubricating fluid, in which method the activity level of an electrostatic signal is monitored for a change which is interpreted as a precursor to an electrostatic event corresponding to an impending wear event.
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20. A system for detecting an impending wear event in a machine before its actual onset by monitoring a machine lubricating fluid, in which system the activity level of an electrostatic signal is monitored for a change which is interpreted as a precursor to an electrostatic event corresponding to an impending wear event.
Specification