Combination contaminant size and nature sensing system and method for diagnosing contamination issues in fluids
First Claim
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1. A method of analyzing particles in a fluid, comprising:
- directing a flow of a fluid to be analyzed into a fluid passage;
using first and second sensors to obtain data on particles in fluid flowing within the fluid passage, the first and second sensors having been calibrated using the same calibration technique, and the sensors rely on different operating principles or on different measurement conditions; and
classifying the particles by the nature of the particles based on the obtained data.
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Abstract
Systems and methods used to monitor a fluid where it is important to know the size, concentration and nature of particulates in the fluid. For example, the systems and method can be used to diagnose contamination issues in fluids such as fuel, lubrication, power transfer, heat exchange or other fluids in fluid systems, for example diesel engines or hydraulic systems, where contaminant particles in the fluids are of concern.
19 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of analyzing particles in a fluid, comprising:
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directing a flow of a fluid to be analyzed into a fluid passage; using first and second sensors to obtain data on particles in fluid flowing within the fluid passage, the first and second sensors having been calibrated using the same calibration technique, and the sensors rely on different operating principles or on different measurement conditions; and classifying the particles by the nature of the particles based on the obtained data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A particle size and nature sensing system, comprising:
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a fluid passage configured to receive a flow of a fluid to be analyzed; a first sensor configured to obtain data on particles in fluid flowing within the fluid passage; a second sensor configured to obtain data on particles in fluid flowing within the fluid passage, and a processor configured to classify particles in the fluid by the nature of the particles based upon the obtained data on the particles; wherein the sensors are calibrated using the same calibration technique and the sensors rely on different operating principles or on different measurement conditions. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A particle size and nature sensing system, comprising:
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a fluid passage configured to receive a flow of a fluid to be analyzed; a first sensor configured to obtain data on particles in fluid flowing within the fluid passage; a second sensor configured to obtain data on particles in fluid flowing within the fluid passage, a first light source positioned to direct a light beam into the fluid passage to impinge on particles in fluid flowing within the fluid passage, and a second light source positioned to direct light into the fluid passage to impinge on particles in fluid flowing within the fluid passage, wherein the sensors are calibrated using the same calibration technique and the sensors rely on different operating principles or on different measurement conditions. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of analyzing particles in a fluid, comprising:
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directing a flow of a fluid to be analyzed into a fluid passage; using first and second sensors to obtain data on particles in fluid flowing within the fluid passage, the first and second sensors having been calibrated using the same calibration technique, and the sensors rely on different operating principles or on different measurement conditions; comparing the data obtained from the first sensor with the data obtained from the second sensor; and classifying the particles based on the comparison.
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Specification