Arby D. Dickert - Knoxville TN James F. Kirkpatrick - Oak Ridge TN Eric L. Johnson - Knoxville TN Keith A. Hawn - Knoxville TN
Assignee:
Computational Systems, Inc. - Knoxville TN
International Classification:
B01D 3506
US Classification:
210695
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for detecting the degree of deterioration in lubricating oil including a grid-like capacitive sensor, that uses the lubricating oil as a dielectric medium, and a magnetic field imposed upon the oil to attract ferromagnetic wear particles into the vicinity of the sensor. Preferably, the magnetic field is generated by a permanent magnet and an electromagnet aligned such that the magnetic field produced by each magnet acts upon the oil along the same axis. A plurality of capacitance measurements are taken at periodic intervals for one type of classification and analysis. Magnetically induced particle concentrations are analyzed visually under the aid of periodic magnetic flux reorientation and optical magnification.
Arby D. Dickert - Loudon TN James F. Kirkpatrick - Oak Ridge TN Eric L. Johnson - Knoxville TN Keith A. Hawn - Knoxville TN
Assignee:
Computational Systems, Inc. - Knoxville TN
International Classification:
G01N 3328 G01N 2722 G01N 2100
US Classification:
324553
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for detecting the degree of deterioration in lubricating oil including a grid-like capacitive sensor, that uses the lubricating oil as a dielectric medium, and a magnetic field imposed upon the oil to attract ferromagnetic wear particles into the vicinity of the sensor. Preferably, the magnetic field is generated by a permanent magnet and an electromagnet aligned such that the magnetic field produced by each magnet acts upon the oil along the same axis. A plurality of capacitance measurements are taken at periodic intervals for one type of classification and analysis. Magnetically induced particle concentrations are analyzed visually under the aid of periodic magnetic flux reorientation and optical magnification.
Arby D. Dickert - Knoxville TN Eric L. Johnson - Knoxville TN James F. Kirkpatrick - Knoxville TN Keith A. Hawn - Knoxville TN
Assignee:
Computational Systems, Inc. - Knoxville TN
International Classification:
G01R 2726 G01N 2774
US Classification:
324672
Abstract:
An apparatus for detecting the degree of deterioration in lubricating oil including a grid-like capacitive sensor, that uses the lubricating oil as a dielectric medium, and a magnetic field imposed upon the oil to attract ferromagnetic wear particles into the vicinity of the sensor. Preferably, the magnetic field is generated by a permanent magnet and an electromagnetic aligned such that the magnetic field produced by each magnet acts upon the oil along the same axis.