Abstract: An on-board oil quality monitor includes a tube for recirculating oil from an engine, which tube has a transparent portion located within an infra red generator and detector that produces a signal indicating excessive oil contamination when the generated infra red that is transmitted to the detector is below a certain threshold.

Abstract: A photometric skin condition analyzer is provided which exploits the light refraction and Rayleigh scattering from small particles, such as droplets of oil, deposited on optically smooth sampling surfaces of a sampling pellet. Light emitted from an optical source is passed through the sampling surface and focused onto an optical detector. The output signal of the detector is displayed to give an indication of the degree of oiliness of the skin.

Abstract: An improved method of producing a deposit of particles from a liquid medium carrier on a substrate for subsequent optical analysis of the particles, involves feeding the liquid medium carrying the particles to the substrate via a flexible tube which is not subjected to fluctuating lateral compressions. The invention has particular relevance to the making of Ferrograms from wear debris in a sample of machine lubricant.

Abstract: Method for the determination of lecithin concentration in crude oil. A sample of crude oil is admixed with a polar organic sample which does not dissolve lecithin, thus obtaining a suspension. The concentration of lecithin in the suspension is determined by the turbidimetric analysis, by measuring the transmitted light passed through the suspension. According to a preferred embodiment, a tungsten lamp provides the light to be transmitted through the suspension, the light passed being converted to Lux units by Luxmeter and expressed into concentration values of lecithin.

Abstract: The degree of wear metal contamination in an oil is determined by treating a sample of the oil with a mixture of HF/HCl/nitric acid, diluting the oil/acid mixture with a solvent mixture consisting of a nonionic surfactant and a diluent, and spectrometrically analyzing the resulting diluted mixture. Severe wear in an oil wetted apparatus may be detected by directly analyzing spectrometrically a sample of the oil and comparing the results of such analysis with the results obtained according to the acid dissolution method described above.

Abstract: A method of quantitatively monitoring suspended oils in water combining the technologies of reversed-phase liquid chromatography and fiber optics is shown. A specially treated optical fiber collects and concentrates suspended oils on its surface so that optical transmission through the fiber is related to the contaminant concentration. The transmitted light from a treated optical fiber is detected by a photodiode and photocurrent is passed through an amplifier to give an electronic signal. The electronic signal is either recorded or indicated or generates a control signal whereby the light signal is translated into a value that corresponds to the concentration of oils suspended in water. To be sensed by the sensor cell, the fluid containing suspended oils is brought from a storage means to a reservoir and forced through the sensor cell by fluid pressure.

Abstract: A pressure fryer having a vessel adapted to cook a food product within a bath of cooking oil. Means are provided for detecting the presence of water in the vessel and the bath and for automatically disabling the heater of the fryer if water is present in such quantity as to create a potentially unsafe condition.

Abstract: Leakage of a liquid may be detected in terms of the drop in intensity of light rays traveling through a light guide core or optical fiber made of glass or synthetic resins due to the adhesion of the leaked liquid to the light guide.

Abstract: A light scattering oil-in-water detector and method. Scattered light is measured at a plurality of scattering angles, one angle being chosen such that the light scattered by the oil is substantially zero. This overcomes interference arising from suspended solids, e.g., rust.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the secretions of sebum of a skin sample of a living subject comprises a frosted glass plate spring urged to project from a casing (using a calibrated spring). When pressed against the forehead of a living subject the frosted plate retracts yieldably to collect sebum under reproducible conditions.A reference scale inside the casing of the apparatus is illuminated from a known light source and is observed from outside by looking through the greasy plate. The sebum secretion is measured by changing the position of the scale, or changing the line thickness of a reference mark on the scale until a sharp, fine image of the reference mark can be seen.

Abstract: A laser beam is transmitted through a medium containing the component to be measured. The wavelength of the beam is such that it is absorbed by the component but not by the remainder of the medium. The divergence of the beam is measured to indicate a change in the index of refraction of the medium due to the absorption by the component.

Abstract: A system for determining the concentration of oil in a mixture of oil and water including an aligned photocell and a displaced photocell spaced therefrom to receive direct and reflected and/or refracted light through a scatter cell from a laser. A logarithmic amplifier is connected from the aligned photocell because a logarithm of the output thereof is a linear function. The displaced photocell output is essentially linear over a typical range above 200 parts per million (ppm). The output of the logarithmic amplifier is essentially linear below about 200 ppm. The linear portion of each output is combined by a switch when the logarithmic amplifier output passes through a selected threshold level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for diagnosing the condition of oil-wetted parts subject to wear, wherein a specimen of the used oil from the part is extracted, and a plurality of samples are separated according to the different mobility rates of its particles through a liquid medium during the centrifuging of the specimen through the liquid medium for a predetermined period of time. The samples are then analyzed to determine their compositions, thereby providing an indication of the identities of the wearing parts and their rates-of-wear. In one described embodiment, the specimen is centrifuged for a sufficiently long predetermined time to stratify the particles according to size and density; and in a second described embodiment, the specimen is centrifuged for a plurality of short predetermined time periods during each of which a sample of the particles passing the complete length of the liquid medium is removed and analyzed.

Abstract: A method of testing fibrous elements for their ability to effectively coalesce and separate water from an impure petroleum compound selected from the group consisting of crude oil and distillate fractions thereof. The method comprises introducing a reproducible emulsion consisting essentially of water and a substantially pure organic solvent into contact with a fibrous, coalescer element contained in a test zone. Separate streams of coalesced water and organic solvent are withdrawn from the zone. The predominant stream is passed between a source of light and a light-measuring means. The intensity of the light received by the light-measuring means is indicative of, and used as, the criterion for determining the acceptability of the coalescer element.

Abstract: An alarm system for the detection of oil pollution in a feedwater system, comprising a housing having an inlet water line at one end and an outlet water line at the other end and formed with a series of internal, alternately disposed baffles adapted to retard water flow and forming passes thereinbetween, a light disposed in the floor of the housing before the first baffle with its beam directed to the roof of the housing, and an electric eye circuit disposed in the housing roof in registry with said beam, whereby dimming of the light beam by the introduction of oil in the water flowing inbetween activates an audible and visual alarm. Filter means are provided at the discharge end of the housing to remove sediment and particles passing through the housing.

Abstract: A method for measuring the viscosity of a lubricant fluid under very high pressures by placing a sample of lubricant containing one or more ruby crystals (.about.10.mu.m diameter) in a diamond anvil cell illuminated with a point source of visible light radiation, and observing by means of appropriate optics the rate of change of band width of the ruby emission spectra at given temperatures and pressures as a measure of the viscosity of the fluid.

Abstract: An analyzer and method for measuring the properties of a liquid sample, such as the monitoring of water streams for oil detection as in ballast water monitoring onboard tankers, wherein a sample stream is passed through a nonreflective chamber where it is illuminated by suitable light such as fiber optic. The stream is detected either visually through a viewing port or photoelectrically for desired properties or characteristics as the flowing sample stream fails by gravity through the chamber to collection pit.

Abstract: The concentrations of hyperfine particles in a fluid are monitored by flowing a predetermined quantity of the particle-containing fluid over a substrate in the presence of a force field which "collects" the particles onto the substrate. The particles may be deposited on the substrate according to size, so that one can readily ascertain not only the particle concentration in the fluid, but the size distribution of the particles as well. This technique greatly concentrates the particles so that one can usually detect and monitor materials having extremely small particulate concentrations in the fluid from which they are collected.

Abstract: A spectroscopic system for measuring the discontinuous far infrared radiation emitted by a semi-transparent material, and including compensation for background, graybody, emitted radiation.In a first embodiment, a system is disclosed for measuring the far infrared radiation emitted by a lubricant in contact with a steel ball under high pressure. The lubricant is coated on a small diamond disc mounted as a window in a steel plate. The steel ball is rotated over the window to form a sliding elastohydrodynamic (EHD) contact region with the lubricant. Some of the radiant energy generated in the contact region, both in the fluid and at its boundaries, passes through the window into an infrared interferometer, which generates an emission spectrum. The spectrum is separated, by a balancing technique utilizing a rotating chopper blade, into contributions from the fluid and contributions from the steel ball.

Abstract: In apparatus for detecting the degree of contamination of liquid of the type wherein the quantity of light transmitting through a liquid sample is detected, a combination of a transparent flat plate and a convex lens is interposed between a light source and a light receiver. The flat plate is in contact with the convex lens at the top of the convex lens so as to define an annular gap for accommodating the liquid sample.

Abstract: Method for predicting incipient failure of a lubricated engine by removing a sample of the liquid lubricant employed after the same has been in contact with the moving metal surfaces of the engine. The metal wear particles contained in the lubricant are then separated into at least three predetermined size ranges by passage through membranes having pore openings corresponding in size to such predetermined size. Each of the fractions so separated is analyzed for a selected metal contaminant, such as iron, and the content of such metal contaminant is plotted against the particle size thereof. The likelihood of mechanical failure is determined from the shape of the resulting graph, with a preponderance of large metal contaminant particles being indicative of incipient engine failure.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the presence in a liquid of material that emits fluorescent radiation when stimulated by ultraviolet radiation. A chamber having an inlet and an outlet for passing a stream of liquid therethrough. A source of ultraviolet radiation associated with said chamber with means for energizing same whereby said radiation may pass to said stream and a receiver arranged to receive fluorescent radiation emitted by such a stream.

Abstract: For determining or indicating the oil content of small amounts of oil in water a defined amount of water is removed so that the oil is concentrated in the water, and thereafter the oil content in the concentrated oil-water mixture is measured. So as to concentrate the oil, the oily water can pass a filter material, the color change or dielectric constant of which is measured. As an alternative, the oily water is concentrated in a rotating cyclone or centrifuge so that substantially all oil is accumulated in the center together with a smaller portion of the original water volume. The clarity of the water is then determined and considered as a measure of the oil content.

Abstract: This invention is directed to stabilization of analytic standards comprising (a) an oil-soluble metal sulfonate wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, vanadium, iron, boron, beryllium, tin, silver, copper, magnesium, or mixtures thereof, (b) a normally liquid hydrocarbon diluent and (c) a stabilizing amount of an oil-soluble amine compound.

Abstract: Liquid containing contaminants is passed through a lamination of a plurality of filter papers and the quantities of the contaminants deposited on upper and lower filter papers are compared with each other to determine the degree of contamination of the liquid.