Anti-Clog And Non-Metallic Debris Detector For Lubrication System Inlet

• US 20150129361A1
• Filed: 11/08/2013
• Published: 05/14/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Hodgkinson, Eric James, Lutian, David M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,316,630 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 184/6.4
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/00 Rotorcraft; Rotors peculiar thereto
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/00 Aircraft indicators or protectors not otherwise provided for camouflage F41H3/00
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 1/10 Lubricating systems characterised by the provision therein of lubricant venting or purifying means, e.g. of filters
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 11/10 Indicating devices; Other safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 2001/1042 comprising magnetic parts
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 2011/1466 by considering quantity of soot
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 29/00 Special means in lubricating arrangements or systems providing for the indication or detection of undesired conditions; Use of devices responsive to conditions in lubricating arrangements or systems
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 29/02 for influencing the supply of lubricant
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 29/04 enabling a warning to be given; enabling moving parts to be stopped
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/2835 specific substances contained in the oil or fuel
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/2858 metal particles
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/2888 Lubricating oil characteristics, e.g. deterioration lubricating properties G01N33/30
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7837 Direct response valves [i.e., check valve type]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8225 Position or extent of motion indicator

Abstract

A contaminant detection system for use in a fluid distribution system includes a first detector assembly including an inlet housing and detector screen through which fluid in the fluid distribution system passes and a first sensor to detect a first type of contaminant caught in the detector screen; and a second detector assembly including a second sensor which activates when the inlet housing or detector screen is clogged to detect whether the fluid contains a second type of contaminant when the first sensor does not detect the first type of contaminant.

Claims

1. A contaminant detection system for use in a fluid distribution system, the contaminant detection system comprising:

a first detector assembly including an inlet housing and detector screen through which fluid in the fluid distribution system passes and a first sensor to detect a first type of contaminant caught in the detector screen; and

a second detector assembly including a second sensor which activates when the inlet housing or detector screen is clogged to detect whether the fluid contains a second type of contaminant when the first sensor does not detect the first type of contaminant.

2. The contaminant detection system of claim 1, wherein:

the second detector assembly includes a check valve at an inlet through which the fluid does not pass when the inlet housing or detector screen is not clogged, and through which the fluid does pass when the inlet housing or detector screen is clogged, and

the second sensor is in communication with the check valve, the second sensor producing a signal indicative of the state of the check valve.

3. The contaminant detection system of claim 1, further comprising:

a controller coupled to the first and second sensors; and

a display coupled to the controller;

the controller generating an indication on the display in response to the first sensor and the second sensor to selectively indicate and differentiate between the first and second types of contaminant in the fluid.

4. The lubricant distribution system of claim 3 wherein:

the controller generates a first indication when neither the first sensor nor the second sensor produces a signal;

the controller generates a second indication when the first sensor produces a signal and the second sensor does not produce a signal to indicate a presence of the first type of contaminant in the fluid;

the controller generates a third indication when the first sensor does not produce a signal and the second sensor produces a signal to indicate a presence of the second type of contaminant in the fluid, the second type of contaminant being other than the first type and not being detectable by the first detector; and

the controller generates a fourth indication when the first and second sensors both produce a signal to indicate a presence of a first type of contaminant in the lubricant and/or the presence of a second type of contaminant in the lubricant and in sufficient quantity to clog the inlet housing or detector screen.

5. The contaminant detection system of claim 1, wherein the first type is a metal contaminant and the second type is a non-metal contaminant.

6. The contaminant detection system of claim 1, wherein the second type of contaminant is not detectable by the first sensor.

7. A fluid distribution assembly for distributing a fluid, the assembly comprising:

a first inlet housing;

an outlet housing;

a chip detector assembly including a chip detector screen through which the fluid passes between the first inlet and outlet housings, and a chip detector sensor which senses a first type of contaminant on the chip detector screen;

a second inlet housing fluidly coupled to the outlet housing;

a check valve in the second inlet housing which opens when the first inlet housing or chip detector screen is clogged to allow the fluid to pass between the second inlet housing and the outlet housing, and is closed when the first inlet housing or chip detector screen is not clogged to prevent the fluid to from passing between the second inlet housing and the outlet housing; and

a check valve sensor in communication with the check valve, the check valve sensor producing a signal indicative of when the check valve opens.

8. The fluid distribution assembly of claim 7 further comprising:

an inlet screen positioned at an inlet of the second inlet housing, the inlet screen to filter first and other types of contaminants from the fluid when the check valve is open.

9. The fluid distribution assembly of claim 7 further comprising:

a controller coupled to the chip detector sensor and the check valve sensor; and

a display coupled to the controller;

the controller generating an indication on the display in response to the chip detector sensor and the check valve sensor to selectively indicate and differentiate between the first and other types of contaminant in the fluid.

10. The fluid distribution assembly of claim 9, wherein:

the controller generates a first indication when neither the chip detector sensor nor the check valve sensor produces a signal;

the controller generates a second indication when the chip detector sensor produces a signal and the check valve sensor does not produce a signal to indicate a presence of the first type of contaminant in the fluid;

the controller generates a third indication when the chip detector sensor does not produce a signal and the check valve sensor produces a signal to indicate a presence of the second type of contaminant in the fluid, the second type of contaminant being other than the first type and not being detectable by the chip detector; and

the controller generates a fourth indication when the chip detector and check valve sensors both produce a signal to indicate a presence of the first type of contaminant in the lubricant and/or the presence of the second type of contaminant in the lubricant and in sufficient quantity to clog the first inlet housing or the chip detector screen.

11. The fluid distribution assembly of claim 10, wherein the first type is a metal contaminant and the second type is a non-metal contaminant.

12. A rotary wing aircraft comprising:

a rotor;

a gearbox coupled to the rotor;

an engine coupled to the gearbox;

a lubricant distribution system providing lubricant from a sump to the gearbox, the lubricant distribution system including;

a first detector assembly including an inlet housing and a detector screen through which fluid in the fluid distribution system passes and a first sensor to detect a first type of contaminant caught in the detector screen;

a second detector assembly including a second sensor which activates when the inlet housing or detector screen is clogged to detect whether the fluid contains a second type of contaminant when the first sensor does not detect the first type of contaminant.

13. The rotary wing aircraft of claim 12, wherein:

the second detector assembly includes a check valve at an inlet through which the fluid does not pass when the inlet housing or detector screen is not clogged, and through which the fluid does pass when the inlet housing or detector screen is clogged, and

the second sensor is in communication with the check valve, the second sensor producing a signal indicative of the state of the check valve.

14. The rotary wing aircraft of claim 12, further comprising:

a controller coupled to the first and second sensors; and

a display coupled to the controller;

the controller generating an indication on the display in response to the first sensor and the second sensor to selectively indicate and differentiate between the first and second types of contaminant in the fluid.

15. The rotary wing aircraft of claim 14 wherein:

the controller generates a first indication when neither the first sensor nor the second sensor produces a signal;

the controller generates a second indication when the first sensor produces a signal and the second sensor does not produce a signal to indicate a presence of the first type of contaminant in the fluid;

the controller generates a third indication when the first sensor does not produce a signal and the second sensor produces a signal to indicate a presence of the second type of contaminant in the fluid, the second type of contaminant being other than the first type and not being detectable by the first detector; and

the controller generates a fourth indication when the first and second sensors both produce a signal to indicate a presence of a first type of contaminant in the lubricant and/or the presence of a second type of contaminant in the lubricant and in sufficient quantity to clog the inlet housing or detector screen.

16. The rotary wing aircraft of claim 12, wherein the first type is a metal contaminant and the second type is a non-metal contaminant.

17. The rotary wing aircraft of claim 12, wherein the second type of contaminant is not detectable by the first sensor.