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Method and system for failure prediction using lubricating fluid analysis

  • US 9,897,582 B2
  • Filed: 10/26/2012
  • Issued: 02/20/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for failure prediction in an engine, the method comprising:

  • receiving a sample of lubricant fluid from the engine, the sample of lubricant fluid having particles suspended therein;

    filtering a plurality of the particles from the sample of lubricant fluid;

    collecting raw data representing a plurality of features of each of the plurality of particles filtered from the lubricant fluid of the engine, the engine belonging to an engine type, the plurality of features including at least one physical characteristic and one chemical composition, the collecting of the raw data comprising performing particle analysis using X-ray spectroscopy;

    using one or more processors and the raw data;

    categorizing each particle into one of a plurality of categories according to at least one of the plurality of features by calculating a likelihood that a given particle belongs to a given category, at least one category being defined by a chemical composition zone within a three-chemical-element system;

    quantifying particle physical characteristics in each category to obtain a set of categorized data;

    comparing the set of categorized data with at least one set of historical data associated with the engine type, the historical data being retrieved from a database;

    evaluating results of the comparing using a set of predefined rules to generate a prediction of any failure or mechanism of failure; and

    generating an output indicating the prediction to indicate one or both of the following;

    when the engine is expected to fail and the mechanism of failure of the engine.

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