Method and apparatus for the debris particulate characterization in lubricants
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for measuring a particulate characteristic of a fluid, said method comprising:
- applying an electrical signal at each of a plurality of frequencies in a frequency range to a fluid, wherein the frequency range includes a resonant frequency;
measuring an impedance quantity characteristic of the fluid at each of the plurality of frequencies at a time t1;
measuring at each of the plurality of frequencies the impedance quantity characteristic of the fluid at a time t2;
deducing a change in a particulate characteristic of the fluid from the measured impedance quantity between t1 and t2; and
correlating the change in the particulate characteristic of the fluid with a change in the fluid environment.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for measuring a particulate characteristic of a particulate-containing fluid, in particular for monitoring the particulate content of lubricating or hydraulic fluids in a mechanical system in order to diagnose component failure.
-
Citations
25 Claims
-
1. A method for measuring a particulate characteristic of a fluid, said method comprising:
-
applying an electrical signal at each of a plurality of frequencies in a frequency range to a fluid, wherein the frequency range includes a resonant frequency;
measuring an impedance quantity characteristic of the fluid at each of the plurality of frequencies at a time t1;
measuring at each of the plurality of frequencies the impedance quantity characteristic of the fluid at a time t2;
deducing a change in a particulate characteristic of the fluid from the measured impedance quantity between t1 and t2; and
correlating the change in the particulate characteristic of the fluid with a change in the fluid environment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
-
23. An apparatus for measuring a particulate characteristic of a fluid comprising:
-
electrical signal applying means adapted to apply an electrical signal at each of a plurality of frequencies in a frequency range to a fluid, wherein the frequency range includes a resonant frequency;
measuring means for measuring an impedance quantity characteristic of the fluid at the plurality of frequencies; and
means for deducing the particulate characteristic from the measured impedance quantity wherein the electrical signal applying means comprises a probe adapted to be inserted into a mechanical system so as to enable measurement of the impedance spectrum characteristic of a fluid within the mechanical system and further wherein the electrical signal applying means is adapted to apply a time varying electrical signal to the fluid at one or more frequencies in a frequency range. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
-
Specification