Data processing: measuring – calibrating – or testing – Measurement system in a specific environment
Patent
1998-03-25
2000-02-29
Oda, Christine K.
Data processing: measuring, calibrating, or testing
Measurement system in a specific environment
702 6, G01N 2760
Patent
active
060321008
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an apparatus for and method of monitoring lubrication. The invention can be applied to the monitoring of lubrication in a machine for example to enable advance detection of wear in the machine. As used herein the term "machine" is intended to include engines, gearboxes and other mechanical systems in which fluid lubrication is used.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In International Patent Application No. PCT/GB 91/02112 published as WO 92/09886 there is described a system for monitoring debris in a fluid. The system comprises at least one electrostatic sensor for producing a signal representing electrostatic charge associated with the fluid moving past the sensor and with debris and/or impurities carried by the fluid. The signal from the sensor is conditioned by a signal conditioner and the conditioned signal is processed by a signal processor together with another signal representing at least the charge associated with the moving fluid in order to produce a signal representing the electrostatic charge associated with the debris and/or impurities. In practice two electrostatic sensors are used at spaced apart locations and the signals therefrom are processed, i.e. correlated, in order to identify the existence of debris in the moving fluid. The system is extremely useful for detecting wear in machines because machine wear causes charge carrying particles to be generated which can be detected by the system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect the invention provides an apparatus for monitoring a lubricant in a machine, the apparatus comprising a sensor for producing a signal representing electrostatic activity in a machine lubricant, and a signal processor for processing the signal from the sensor to detect an electrostatic activity precursor indicative of an impending wear event in the machine.
In another aspect the invention provides a method of monitoring a lubricant in a machine, the method comprising producing a signal representing electrostatic activity in a machine lubricant, and processing the signal to detect an electrostatic activity precursor indicative of an impending wear event in the machine.
In another aspect the invention provides a method of and system for anticipating wear in a machine by monitoring the lubricant thereof for an electrostatic activity precursor indicative of an impending wear event.
In another aspect the invention provides a method of and system for monitoring a machine lubricating fluid, in which method and system the activity level of an electrostatic signal is monitored for a change which is interpreted as a precursor to an electrostatic event corresponding to a wear event.
The detection of a precursor may be utilised to activate an indicator in advance of the wear/electrostatic even to enable corrective action to be taken to avoid the event. Thus, wear or even catastrophic failure in a machine may be avoided as a result of the advance warning enabled by the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
An exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a lubrication monitoring system; and
FIG. 2 shows signals derived from various sensors in the system of FIG. 1.
Turning now to FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings there is shown a gearbox 1 with an associated oil pump 2 connected to the gearbox 1 by way of a conduit 3. The conduit 3 provides a path for oil from the gearbox to the pump 2 and from the pump to the gearbox. Two sensors S1 and S2 are mounted to the conduit 3 some distance apart from each other. The sensors S1, S2 are provided for sensing electrostatic charge and any suitable form of sensor may be used. Electrical cables 5, 6 from the sensors S1, S2 are connected to a signal conditioner 7. The signal conditioner 7 is provided to perform a preliminary conditioning of the signals from the sensors S1, S2. The signals from the sensors S1, S2 are induced by electrostatic charge passing the sensors. As such t
REFERENCES:
patent: 4629334 (1986-12-01), Hochstein
patent: 4651091 (1987-03-01), Chambers et al.
patent: 4766373 (1988-08-01), Chambers et al.
patent: 4841244 (1989-06-01), Chambers
patent: 5382942 (1995-01-01), Raffa et al.
patent: 5448172 (1995-09-01), Dechene et al.
patent: 5559494 (1996-09-01), Thompson
patent: 5760298 (1998-06-01), Fisher et al.
Forfitt Roy
Powrie Honor
Ardis Robert E.
Oda Christine K.
Ostroff Irwin
Stewart Hughes Limited
Taylor Victor J.
LandOfFree
Method and apparatus for monitoring a lubricant does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and apparatus for monitoring a lubricant, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus for monitoring a lubricant will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-691832