Method and apparatus for measuring a variable in a lubricant/coolant system

• US 20040159145A1
• Filed: 02/14/2003
• Published: 08/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Master Chemicals OOO (ChampionX Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Master Chemicals OOO (ChampionX Corporation)
• Inventors: Robinson, Frank A., Seevers, Stanley W., Hughes, Guy R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,860,142 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/61.59
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/2894 for metal working or machining
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/30 for lubricating properties

Abstract

An automatic system for monitoring/controlling a variable of a machine or metalworking fluid system also achieves cleaning and optionally, a calibration check of the sensor of the variable. The system includes one or more sensors for variables such as pH, fluid concentration, conductivity, temperature and the like, a supply of a cleaning agent and associated valves and conduits for connecting the automatic system to a fluid to be measured. A cleaning cycle can be scheduled as necessary to clean and/or check calibration of the sensors and ensure accurate measurement of sensed variables. If desired, the data regarding the sensed variables may be utilized to perform corrective action in real time.

Claims

1. An apparatus for monitoring a parameter in a fluid system comprising, in combination,

a fluid circuit,

an inlet valve for controlling flow of a fluid from such system into said circuit,

a pump for circulating such fluid in said circuit,

at least one sensor for sensing a parameter of such fluid in said circuit,

an outlet valve for controlling release of such fluid from said circuit,

a source of a functional material, and

a metering device for injecting said functional material into said fluid circuit.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fluid is a metal working fluid and said parameter is concentration of a constituent of said metal working fluid.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one sensor is a refractometer.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said functional material is a solvent of such fluid.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said functional material is selected from the group consisting of cleaning fluid, de-ionized water and calibration fluid.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a controller for sequencing said valves, said pump and said metering device.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a valve for establishing a recirculation path in said fluid circuit.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further including an inlet manifold having a plurality of fluid inlets and inlet valves and an outlet manifold having a plurality of outlet valves and fluid outlets.

9. An apparatus for monitoring a parameter in a fluid system comprising, in combination,

a fluid circuit,

an inlet valve for controlling flow of fluid from such system into said circuit,

a pump for circulating fluid in said circuit,

at least one sensor for sensing a parameter of such fluid in said circuit,

an outlet valve for controlling release of fluid from said circuit,

a metering device for injecting a selected quantity of a functional material into said fluid circuit, and

a controller for sequencing operation of said valves, said pump and said metering device.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 further including a valve for establishing a recirculation path in said fluid circuit.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said functional material is selected from the group consisting of a cleaning fluid, de-ionized water and a calibration fluid.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said parameter is concentration of a constituent of a metal working fluid.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said at least one sensor is a refractometer.

14. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said functional material is a solvent of such fluid.

15. A method of monitoring a parameter of a fluid in a fluid system, comprising the steps of:

providing a fluid circuit,

providing a flow of fluid from said fluid system in said fluid circuit,

exposing a fluid parameter sensor to said fluid to measure a fluid parameter,

injecting a quantity of a functional material into said fluid circuit, and

circulating said fluid and said functional material in said fluid circuit.

16. The method of monitoring a parameter of a fluid of claim 15 wherein said parameter is concentration of a constituent of a metal working fluid.

17. The method of monitoring a parameter of a fluid of claim 15 wherein said fluid parameter sensor is a refractometer.

18. The method of monitoring a parameter of a fluid of claim 15 wherein said functional material is a solvent of such fluid.

19. The method of monitoring a parameter of a fluid of claim 15 wherein said functional material is selected from the group consisting of cleaning fluid, de-ionized water and calibration fluid or any other functional material required to accomplish the cleaning and/or calibration check function..

20. The method of monitoring a parameter of a fluid of claim 15 further including providing a valve for establishing a recirculation path in said fluid circuit and recirculating fluid in said circuit.