Abstract: A system for determining acceptability of torsional dampers for service in a machine system includes a fixture, an ultrasonic scanner and an indicating device configured to indicate at least one of acceptability and unacceptability of a torsional damper based upon receipt of a signal from the scanner. A nondestructive testing method for a torsional vibration damper includes scanning a torsional vibration damper with ultrasonic energy, and determining a test value for the damper indicative of a viscosity of fluid sealed within a housing of the damper based on receiving transmitted ultrasonic energy. Receipt of ultrasonic energy may be used to determine the flow rate of fluid within the damper by indicating a time for fluid to flow to fill a void within the damper. The system and method may be implemented in a remanufacturing or salvaging process for torsional vibration dampers.

Abstract: A portable apparatus and method for demonstrating different characteristics of different fluids that includes different fluid sumps or chambers for receiving samples of the different fluids. A test shaft having different portions that are immersed in the different fluid samples in the chambers is driven by an electric drive motor at a substantially constant speed while substantially the same amount of friction or force is applied to the different portions of the test shaft at different times to increase the resistance presented to the drive motor. The additional amount of current drawn or power absorbed by the motor or strain induced in the motor drive shaft during the application of such friction or force to the different portions of the test shaft is monitored and compared to provide a comparison of the friction or power loss characteristics of the different fluid samples.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining the TBN of a used lubricating oil by measuring with a single device at least one element, such as sulfur, and correlating the measured amount to the oil's TBN. Preferably, a spectroscopic device is used to make the measurement.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing a fluid includes sensing a property of the fluid and the temperature of the fluid at the time the property is sensed, then determining the status of the fluid from the sensing. The sample volume may be small in comparison to the total fluid volume.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a compound of the formula I or a tribologically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, or proadditive thereof, wherein R1, R2 and R4 are as defined herein. Such novel pyrrolidine, or succinimide, derivatives may be useful as friction modifiers in lubricant compositions. This disclosure also relates to a method of using such friction modifier compounds in lubricating fluid formulations to lubricate machine parts, including gear, axle, engine, and transmission parts, and to lubricant compositions containing such friction modifier compounds.

Abstract: Methods for detecting oil conditions including a top level of an oil in an oil system which is reduced to a top level of a predetermined threshold amount of the oil, a normal oil deterioration which occurs in the absence of water having a confirmed actual remaining usage of the oil, and an abnormal oil deterioration which occurs in the presence of water. The methods include a first preferred embodiment which applies reference and sensing capacitors to obtain a measured temperature compensated electrical property of the oil. From which a quantitatively measured remaining usage is obtained so as to a predicted one for the oil. Therefore, the respective top oil level, or the normal or the abnormal oil deterioration can be concluded according to the measured remaining usage which is respectively larger than, or similar to, or less than the predicted one for the oil. A second preferred embodiment only includes the sensing capacitor for obtaining the measured temperature compensated electrical property of the oil.

Abstract: An improved method and assembly, wherein the method generally includes the steps of providing a coated or uncoated sensor element having an exposed sensing surface; attaching the sensor element to a platform so that the exposed sensing surface is spaced from the platform; and optionally applying a protective layer over the platform while maintaining the sensing surface as exposed. The assembly includes a resonator having a free portion with a sensing surface is incorporated onto a platform, components of the sensor are physically shielded from harsh operating conditions, the requisite space is maintained between the free portion of the resonator and the platform, and the sensing surface of the resonator remains exposed for sensing.

Abstract: A new method to determine by quantitative analysis the amount of dye present in dyed engine oils is provided. The method uses imaging techniques, such as spectrophotometry, and a combination of dilution and standard addition techniques to quantitatively determine the concentration of dye in the engine oil to ascertain whether dye concentrations in engine oil have decreased as compared with original specifications, and to quantify the amount of dye to be added to the dyed engine oil to bring dye concentrations to original concentrations.

Abstract: A method for determining storage stability for a plurality of fluid lubricant samples of different lubricating oil compositions is provided. Each sample includes a combination of one or more base oils and one or more lubricating oil additives. The methods can advantageously be optimized using combinatorial chemistry, in which a database of combinations of lubricating oil additives or lubricating oil compositions containing such additives is generated. As market conditions vary and/or product requirements or customer specifications change, conditions suitable for forming desired products can be identified with little or no downtime.

Abstract: A fluid contamination analyzer employs one or more MEMS-based sensors. The sensors are incorporated into probes or alternatively may be employed in an in-line analyzer residing in the fluid. The sensors, which can be selective to detect a distinct contaminant within the fluid, sense an impedance of the fluid, which is a function of its contamination and communicates the impedance to analysis circuitry.

Abstract: A system and methodology is provided for dynamically adjusting fluids that operate as a lubricant in a machine. The system includes a control module having a processor and one or more sensors providing data to the processor in situ with the machine, wherein the processor employs the data to monitor the fluid. One or more inputs are provided to receive a plurality of additives that are associated with the fluid, wherein actuators are employed by the processor to dispense the additives to the fluid. The processor dispenses the fluid based upon one or more parameters of the fluid.

Abstract: An oil life monitoring system for a diesel engine system includes a viscosity loss module, a viscosity gain module, and a remaining oil life module. The viscosity loss module determines a percentage of viscosity loss of engine oil based on fuel accumulation in the engine oil. The viscosity gain module determines a percentage of viscosity gain of engine oil based on fuel evaporation and/or soot accumulation in the engine oil. The remaining oil life module communicates with the viscosity loss module and the viscosity gain module and determines a percentage of oil life remaining based on the percentage of viscosity loss and/or the percentage of viscosity gain.

Abstract: Transmission oil type may be determined based on the opening time of a transmission latch valve and on oil temperature. An opening time of a latch valve positioned between an oil reservoir and one or more torque transmitting devices of a transmission is determined in response to a command to open the latch valve. A temperature of oil supplied by the latch valve from the oil reservoir to the one or more torque transmitting devices in response to the command to open the latch valve is also determined. The latch valve opening time and oil temperature are monitored over a range of oil temperatures to collect opening times of the latch valve at each of a plurality of oil temperatures within the range of oil temperatures. The transmission oil type is then determined based on the opening times of the latch valve at each of the plurality of oil temperatures.

Abstract: The quantitative determination of aging effects on motor oil is of great interest. According to a method, two variables of the motor oil are detected, one of the two variables being the viscosity and the other variable being the acid content of the motor oil. A first deviation of the detected first variable from a default value is then determined, and the second variable is estimated based on the deviation. By determining a second deviation of the estimated second variable from the detected second variable, the second deviation is determined as a measure of the aging effect on the motor oil. Since various aging effects influence the two variables in different manners, individual aging effects may be quantitatively determined in a targeted manner.

Abstract: A hermetic compressor includes a housing which accommodates a motor and a compressing mechanism, an oil surface sensor mounted to a side wall of the housing, and refrigerating machine oil. The oil surface sensor is integrally formed of a detector for detecting a position of the oil surface of the refrigerating machine oil and a hermetic terminal. The hermetic terminal is placed at an end of a cylindrical tube having a smaller diameter than that of the housing, and the detector of the oil surface sensor is disposed inside the cylindrical tube.

Abstract: There is disclosed a lubricating composition comprising an oil of lubricating viscosity formulated with an additive package comprising at least one overbased metal detergent, at least one neutral metal detergent, and at least one phosphorus-based wear preventative. Methods for improving oxidation performance in a TO-4 fluid for use in heavy vehicle machinery are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for measuring at least one state characteristic of oil or fat in a device that uses oil or fat and is provided with a filtering apparatus (1; 101) comprising a filter housing (2) and at least one filter element (7) which is inserted thereinto. According to said method, at least one sensor (35, 36; 135; 235) of a measuring device (30; 130; 230) is introduced into a measurement space (8; 208) located in the oil or fat circuit in order to measure at least one state characteristic of the oil or fat, and the measured values thereof are evaluated using measuring electronics (32; 132) that are connected to the at least one sensor (35, 36; 135; 235). The inventive method is characterized in that a microfilter element, ultrafilter element, or nanofilter element (7) is used as a filter element. Also disclosed are a corresponding filtering apparatus (1) and a correspondingly configured measuring device (130).

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides for a sensing element comprising a non-conductive housing with three chambers for detecting oil conductivity, additive depletion and oxidation, and water contamination, respectively. Through the monitoring of an array of oil sensors, an early warning of oil degradation due to oxidation is provided. The monitoring system further detects excess soot, water and other contaminants in the oil. The oil sensor array and related monitoring system decrease the likelihood of catastrophic engine failure through the early detection and warning of a decrease in oil quality thereby reducing vehicle owner outlays for servicing and disposal fees while further aiding in the satisfaction of environmental protection regulations.

Abstract: A system and methodology is provided for dynamically adjusting fluids that operate as a lubricant in a machine. The system includes a control module having a processor and one or more sensors providing data to the processor in situ with the machine, wherein the processor employs the data to monitor the fluid. One or more inputs are provided to receive a plurality of additives that are associated with the fluid, wherein actuators are employed by the processor to dispense the additives to the fluid. The processor dispenses the fluid based upon one or more parameters of the fluid.

Abstract: A portable diesel fuel tester and a method of its use are provided. A sample of diesel fuel is placed in a sample tray of the tester. The diesel fuel is heated to a gas state and circulated to a SO2 sensor by an air pump. The SO2 sensor determines the level of sulfur in the diesel fuel based on the SO2 levels. The sulfur level is displayed on an LCD screen for viewing by the user.

Abstract: The disclosure presents an apparatus and method for measuring viscosity of a lubricating oil. The apparatus has a piezo-resistive cantilever sensor for sensing a first oil viscosity parameter. The sensor has a cantilever having a pressure receiving portion for receiving pressure exerted by the lubricating oil as the lubricating oil comes into contact with the pressure receiving portion. The cantilever also has first and second resistive portions in electrical communication with a first lead and a second lead, respectively, which are in electrical communication with an electrical circuit amplification element, for creating an output signal indicative of a change in the resistive characteristics of the first and second resistive portions of the cantilever as the lubricating oil comes into contact with the pressure receiving portion. The output signal can be used for determining oil viscosity.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a non-acidic, sulfur-containing, phosphorus-containing compound of the formula I where R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, and R7 are as defined herein. Such a compound may exhibit improved antiwear performance and thermal stability in lubricating compositions.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for testing the adhesive strength of overlays attached to the inside of plain bearing bushings. The method is characterized in specifying clearance between the plain bearing bushing tested and a rotating or oscillating pin extending through the bushing. Next, feeding a liquid medium into the gap between the bushing and the pin and oscillating the plain bearing bushing and pin relative to one another perpendicularly to the bushing axis for a given period and examining the bushing after the load test. The corresponding apparatus comprises a pin mounted rotatably in a pin receptacle and on which there is arranged a first drive mechanism. In addition, a bushing receptacle is provided, in which the plain bearing bushing is fitted, wherein the pin is mounted with predetermined clearance in the bushing. The apparatus additionally comprises a mechanism for bringing about oscillating relative movement of bushing receptacle and pin receptacle.

Abstract: An improved method for predicting the remaining useful life of transmission oil and an apparatus for practicing the same are provided. The method includes: detecting if the transmission has completed a new shift; if yes, determining a total shift count; determining accumulated distance and accumulated time parameters; determining a transmission temperature degradation factor; detecting if the lockup clutch is open and if the transmission is in range; if yes, determining a converter degradation factor; determining a total degradation factor based at least in part upon the transmission temperature degradation factor and converter degradation factor; determining an oil life time limit and oil life distance limit; determining if either the accumulated time parameter is greater than the oil life time limit or the accumulated distance parameter is greater than the oil life distance limit; if yes, activating a service indicator to notify vehicle occupants that transmission oil service is required.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the continuous determination of the damage to at least one system (7) used for the post-treatment of exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine (2), caused by the lubricating oil, the fuel and/or at least one lubricating oil additive and/or fuel additive used.

Abstract: An oil life monitoring system for a diesel engine system includes a viscosity loss module, a viscosity gain module, and a remaining oil life module. The viscosity loss module determines a percentage of viscosity loss of engine oil based on fuel accumulation in the engine oil. The viscosity gain module determines a percentage of viscosity gain of engine oil based on fuel evaporation and/or soot accumulation in the engine oil. The remaining oil life module communicates with the viscosity loss module and the viscosity gain module and determines a percentage of oil life remaining based on the percentage of viscosity loss and/or the percentage of viscosity gain.

Abstract: An oil level sensor for detecting an oil level is arranged in an engine oil pan. The oil level sensor includes a mounting section and a sensing section. An air hole is formed at an upper end of a cover member of the sensing section. The air hole is surrounded by a tubular portion of a shield member attached to a baffle plate of the oil pan. Therefore, any splashed engine oil in the oil pan is restricted from entering the cover member of the sensing section through the air hole. Also, a clearance (?) for venting air is formed between the tubular portion and the baffle plate.

Abstract: Method for determining dispersancy performance for a plurality of fluid samples of different compositions is provided. Each sample includes one or more base oils of lubricating viscosity and one or more lubricating oil additives and a predetermined amount of an oil-insoluble material. The methods can advantageously be optimized using combinatorial chemistry, in which a database of combinations of lubricating oil compositions are generated. As market conditions vary and/or product requirements or customer specifications change, conditions suitable for forming desired products can be identified with little or no downtime.

Abstract: Resistivity ? values of a lubricating oil are repeatedly determined at a predetermined temperature (range) as it is in use in a working mechanism such as a vehicle engine. Such accumulated properties over operating time of the working lubricant can be plotted graphically to display a curve with, for example, a first portion where d?/dt>0, a maximum ?max at a time t1 where d?/dt=0, a second portion where d?/dt<0, a minimum ?min at a time t2 where d?/dt again is zero, and a third portion where d?/dt>0. Furthermore, there can exist another time t3, where d?/dt exhibits a discontinuous change (increase) with time. Characteristics of the ? vs. t curve, including, the values of t1, t2, t3, ?max, ?min, and the ratio ?max/?min can be compared with like data on like lubricant oils in estimating the remaining useful life of the present operating lubricant oil.

Abstract: Fuels that are used nowadays can have a different densities or different heating values. Even when filling the fuel tank (7) the quality of the fuel in the fuel tank (7) can change since different fuels are mixed. For example a low density or a low heating value can lead to reduced performance of the internal combustion engine (1). It is therefore proposed that a fuel-specific factor k be determined using a sensor (2, 2a), with which the characteristic of the combustion chamber pressure and/or a lambda value is measured, and using an algorithm. In a further embodiment the operating parameters (injected quantity, start of injection, end of injection, injection pattern, exhaust gas recirculation rate, etc.) are corrected using the factor k.

Abstract: A method for measuring the mobility of a lubricant located on the top surface of a disk used in hard disk drives. The method includes forming one or more scribe lines in a lubricant layer of the disk. The disk is then spun by a spin stand where lubricant moves in response to the centrifugal forces of the spinning disk. The disk is removed from the spin stand and the height of lubricant that moved into the scribe line is measured to determine lubricant mobility.

Abstract: A method for measuring the mobility of a lubricant located on the top surface of a disk used in hard disk drives. The method includes forming one or more scribe lines in a lubricant layer of the disk. The disk is then spun by a spin stand where lubricant moves in response to the centrifugal forces of the spinning disk. The disk is removed from the spin stand and the height of lubricant that moved into the scribe line is measured to determine lubricant mobility.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus is disclosed that includes a testing chamber or testing chamber arrays configured to receive a sample of oil to be tested. A first embedded heater is coupled to the testing chamber or testing chamber arrays and configured to supply heat to the sample. An oxygen flux chamber is coupled to the testing chamber or testing chamber arrays and configured to provide a substantially stable oxygen flux to the testing chamber. A control module is coupled to the testing chamber, the first embedded heater, and the oxygen flux chamber. The control module is configured to monitor the temperature of the sample, direct the first embedded heater to supply heat to the sample, direct the oxygen flux chamber to provide oxygen flux to the testing chamber, measure an oxygen induction time (OIT), and evaluate the oxidation stability of the sample based on the OIT. A method for thermal analysis of oil oxidation stability is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the total base number of a used lubricant from an open, all loss, lubricating system. An AC voltage signal is applied between electrodes immersed in the used lubricant and a used-lubricant dependent response to the applied signal measured. The used lubricant base number is determined from the response. To allow for changes in the fresh lubricant inputted to the open lubricating system, the method and apparatus can have means for determining properties of the fresh lubricant needed to determine the total base number of used lubricant. To allow for possible contamination of the used lubricant, the method and apparatus can have means for determining the concentration of contamination and for determining properties of the contaminant needed to determine the total base number of used lubricant.

Abstract: A coating for sensor transducers that transmit a signal to—and/or receive a signal from—a fluid, either liquid or gas, in contact with the transducer. In particular the coating minimizes or eliminates fouling of the transducer surface by the fluid, reducing the need for transducer maintenance, while not interfering with the transducer's ability to send and/or receive signals.

Abstract: An oil quality sensor system comprise an acoustic wave viscosity and an etch rate sensor. The etch rate sensor system includes a piezoelectric substrate and one or more sensing layers configured upon the piezoelectric substrate. A layer of gold is generally configured above the sensing layer(s), such that the gold layer provides protection to the sensing layer(s), thereby extending the operating life of the resulting etch rate sensor system. The sensing layer(s) generally comprises one or more reactive electrodes. The etch rate sensor system can be adapted for use in a permanent oil quality sensor application.

Abstract: A wireless oil filter sensing system includes an oil filter and a sensing mechanism that is connectable to the oil filter. The sensing mechanism includes one or more acoustic wave sensing elements and at least one antenna that communicate with the acoustic wave sensing element(s). An external interrogation system could excite the acoustic wave sensing element(s) wireless and passively. When the acoustic wave sensing elements are in contact with oil contained in the oil filter, the acoustic wave sensing elements detect acoustic waves associated with the oil in response to an excitation of the acoustic wave sensing elements, thereby generating data indicative of the quality of the oil for wireless transmission through the antenna(s).

Abstract: The quantitative determination of two contaminants of a fluid is carried out in the following steps: detection of permittivity ? and viscosity v of the fluid; determination of the quantity of the first contaminant 11e on the basis of a difference between detected permittivity ?? and a first preset value 10e; estimation of viscosity 12n on the basis of the quantity of the first contaminant 11e; and determination of the quantity of the second contaminant on the basis of a difference between detected viscosity v and estimated viscosity 12n.

Abstract: A method for determining an oil condition, namely, an oil condition corresponding to the oil age or oil damage, with the following steps: a) measuring a temperature of the oil or of the part through which the oil flows, coordinating each temperature measured with one temperature range defined by an upper limit and/or a lower limit; b) as soon as the measured temperature exceeds or falls below a limit of a temperature range, measuring the period of time during which the measured temperature dwells in this range; c) in addition, integrating an oil flow running during this time over the time period measured in step b); d) from the time period measured in step b) and the integral of the oil flow determined in step c), determining an oil age or oil damage characteristic for the current temperature range.

Abstract: A process for enabling the detection of an entry of fuel into the lubricating oil of an internal combustion engine can be implemented relatively simply. The process measures a value representative of the volume of lubricating oil in the internal combustion engine and detects an entry of fuel into the lubricating oil on the basis of an evaluation of results of the measurement which were obtained for different points in time.

Abstract: A miniaturized sensor device comprises at least one pair of active projecting elements or cantilevers, which are set parallel to one another and at a micrometric or sub-micrometric distance apart and are designed to be submerged at least partially in a fluid. Each pair comprises a first cantilever, equipped with actuator means, and a second cantilever, equipped with sensor means. The actuator means can cause a movement of the first cantilever, whilst the sensor means can detect a movement of the second cantilever, induced by the movement of the first cantilever, for generating accordingly a measurable signal, which represents the lubricating capacity of the fluid.

Abstract: A sensor for sensing one or more properties of a vehicle fluid has a tuning fork resonator adapted to contact the fluid. The tuning fork resonator comprises two tines and is operable to oscillate so that the two tines move in opposite phase at a frequency of less than 1 MHz while contacting the fluid to generate a resonator response indicative of one or more properties of the fluid. In another aspect, a sensor includes a substrate and a flexural resonator on the substrate and adapted to contact the fluid. Circuitry for operation of the resonator is on the substrate. The resonator is adapted to receive an input signal and to oscillate while contacting the fluid to generate a resonator response indicative of one or more properties of the fluid. One suitable application for the invention is monitoring the condition of a vehicle engine oil.

Abstract: A lubricity sensor includes a flexural plate wave device and a face shear mode bulk acoustic wave device, which is associated with and located proximate to the flexural plate wave device. The face shear mode bulk acoustic wave device and the flexural plate wave device form a lubricity sensor wherein acoustic wave data produced by the flexural plate device together with the face shear mode bulk acoustic wave device when the lubricity sensor is exposed to a liquid relates directly to a lubricity of the liquid thereby providing lubricity measurement data associated with the liquid. The acoustic wave data can comprises the oscillation gain compensation, the frequency, amplitude and/or phase velocity associated with the flexural plate device and the shear mode bulk acoustic wave device such that the oscillation gain compensation, the frequency, amplitude and/or phase velocity provide an indication of the lubricity of the liquid.

Abstract: A system that facilitates in situ determination of lubricity in a fluid comprises a multi-element sensor positioned within a machine, wherein the multi-element sensor obtains data regarding a plurality of parameters of a fluid. A component calculates lubricity of the fluid based at least in part upon the measured parameters.

Abstract: A method for providing an oil change indication to an operator of an internal combustion engine having an exhaust-after-treatment system requiring regeneration, The method includes detecting regeneration events performed on the exhaust-after-treatment system; detecting oil temperature events each time unit an oil temperature is over a threshold value, and providing the oil change indication to the operator as a function of the detected regeneration events and the detected oil temperature events.

Abstract: A method for determining storage stability for a plurality of fluid lubricant samples of different lubricating oil compositions is provided. Each sample includes a combination of one or more base oils and one or more lubricating oil additives. The methods can advantageously be optimized using combinatorial chemistry, in which a database of combinations of lubricating oil additives or lubricating oil compositions containing such additives is generated. As market conditions vary and/or product requirements or customer specifications change, conditions suitable for forming desired products can be identified with little or no downtime.

Abstract: Method for determining dispersancy performance for a plurality of fluid samples of different compositions is provided. Each sample includes one or more base oils of lubricating viscosity and one or more lubricating oil additives and a predetermined amount of an oil-insoluble material. The methods can advantageously be optimized using combinatorial chemistry, in which a database of combinations of lubricating oil compositions are generated. As market conditions vary and/or product requirements or customer specifications change, conditions suitable for forming desired products can be identified with little or no downtime.

Abstract: A system and methodology is provided for dynamically adjusting fluids that operate as a lubricant in a machine. The system includes a control module having a processor and one or more sensors providing data to the processor in situ with the machine, wherein the processor employs the data to monitor the fluid. One or more inputs are provided to receive a plurality of additives that are associated with the fluid, wherein actuators are employed by the processor to dispense the additives to the fluid. The processor dispenses the fluid based upon one or more parameters of the fluid.

Abstract: An engine oil deterioration detection apparatus includes a sensing capacitor CS formed of paired electrodes dipped into engine oil whose deterioration is to be detected, the engine oil deterioration detection apparatus detecting deterioration of the engine oil on the basis of a change in electrostatic capacitance of the sensing capacitor CS. A measurement signal generation circuit generates a measurement signal to be supplied to the sensing capacitor CS. A detection signal output circuit outputs a detection signal on the basis of a response wave signal produced from the sensing capacitor CS in response to supply of the measurement signal thereto, the detection signal reflecting the electrostatic capacitance of the sensing capacitor CS. A temperature compensation mechanism is provided to compensate for a level change of the detection signal stemming from a temperature characteristic and/or a time-course deterioration of the detection signal output circuit.

Abstract: Method to determine the viscosity of a water-in-oil emulsion that will be formed by an oil comprising organic acids when mixed with water comprising: determining the value of the expression: ? ( emul ) = K ? ? ? ( oil ) ? TAN - r ( 1 - ? ) 2.5 wherein ?(oil) is the viscosity the oil, TAN is the total acid number of the oil, ? is a number in the range of 0.1 to 0.8, r is a number in the range of about 0.5 to 2, and K is a number from about 1 to 20, said determined value, ?(emul) being the viscosity of the water-in-oil emulsion. The method is used to prepare water-in-oil emulsions of predetermined viscosity and to improve desalting of oils.