Abstract: A flip top spectrometer sample cell including first and second members each includes a window aligned with each other when the first and second members are coupled together defining a predefined spacing between the windows when the first and second members are coupled together, the first and second members decoupled for manually placing a fluid sample on a the window. The flip top spectrometer sample cell is configured to be withdrawn out of a housing for cleaning of the windows.

Abstract: A solvent compound for a particle counter/imager system, the solvent compound includes a liquid solvent miscible with oil to remove oil from the particle counter/imager system and a liquid dispersive surfactant configured to break large water droplets into smaller droplets less than a predetermined size. The liquid dispersive surfactant is miscible with the solvent and is nontoxic and nonflammable.

Abstract: A fluid sensor/plant machinery monitoring system and method wherein a plurality of on-line fluid property sensors output on-line sensor data and are connected to an interface configured with a server outputting the on-line sensor data via a network. A remote information management system requests and receives the on-line sensor data via the network, stores machine fluid property laboratory data, and calculates an estimate of one or more fluid properties based on both the received on-line sensor data and the stored laboratory data. A manifold unit receives fluid from a machine and includes ports for the on-line fluid property sensors. The remote information management system calculates one or more fluid properties based on both the received on-line sensor data and the stored laboratory data based on models where a machine fluid property is a function of both the on-line sensor data and the stored laboratory data for the machine.

Abstract: An integrated portable sample analysis system includes a portable case including an interior panel and a spectrometer subsystem. The spectrometer subsystem includes a flip top spectrometer sample cell including first and second members each including a window aligned with each other when the first and second members are coupled together defining a predefined spacing between the windows when the first and second members are coupled together, the first and second members decoupled for manually placing a fluid sample on a the window. An analyzer behind the interior panel receives the flip top spectrometer sample cell therein when the first and second members are coupled together for analyzing the fluid sample located between the windows by directing radiation through the windows and the fluid sample. The flip top spectrometer sample cell is configured to be withdrawn out of the analyzer for cleaning of the windows.

Abstract: A particle counter and classification system and method wherein a first stage magnetometer sensor subsystem for the fluid is tuned to detect and determine the size of ferrous and/or conducting particles in the fluid above a predetermined size. A pump is configured to drive a volume of the fluid through the first stage magnetometer sensor subsystem. A processing subsystem is responsive to the first stage magnetometer sensor subsystem and is configured to count the number of ferrous and/or conducting particles above the predetermined size based on the output of the first stage magnetometer sensor subsystem and to determine and report the concentration of the ferrous and/or conducting particles above the predetermined size as a function of the size of the particles, their number, and the volume of the fluid.

Abstract: A method of and system for obtaining a consistent volume of a viscous material includes inserting a sample holder portion of a collection device into a body of the viscous material and filling an open, concave sample receptacle of the sample holder portion with the viscous material. A scrapper is used to remove excess viscous material above the open, concave receptacle. The collection device and the viscous material loaded therein are inserted into a sample vial. Then, the sample vial with the collection device therein is inserted into the port of an analyzer.

Abstract: A method of and system for determining the total magnetic content of a fluid sample introduced within at least one coil. A sample withdrawal event time is determined and, at the sample withdrawal event time, the response of the at least one coil is analyzed in two zones, a first zone before the fluid sample withdrawal event time and a second zone after the fluid sample withdrawal event time. The total magnetic content of the fluid is calculated based on the difference in the response of the at least one coil in the first and second zones at the fluid sample withdrawal event time.

Abstract: An integrated, portable sample analysis system and method. A viscometer subsystem receives a first portion of a sample. A spectrometer subsystem receives a second portion of the sample. A syringe pump subsystem receives a third portion of the sample and is configured to urge the third portion of the sample through a filter which collects particles in the sample thereon. An x-ray analysis subsystem is configured to x-ray the particles. The x-ray analysis subsystem also receives a fourth portion of the sample in order to determine the composition of any dissolved material in the sample. A processing subsystem provides a report concerning the sample and its viscosity, physical properties, particulate count and size distribution, and the composition of particulate and dissolved elements in the sample.

Abstract: A route based analysis system includes, in one version, an infrared spectrometer subsystem configured to produce a spectrum for oil introduced to an oil sample cell. The system displays a route including assets with oil to be inspected. The type of oil used in each asset is determined. For each asset on the route, one or more oil property methods specific to the oil used in the asset are located. The spectrum of each asset's oil is analyzed using specific methods in order to produce oil properties.

Abstract: A portable fuel dilution meter and method includes a plurality of sample bottles each with a lid securable thereto and an absorbent material in the bottle. A housing includes a sample bottle receptacle and a hinged head unit over the receptacle including at least a first needle piercing the lid of a sample bottle loaded into the housing receptacle and extending into the headspace of the sample bottle when the head is closed. A vapor sensor is fluidly coupled to the first needle for analyzing vapors in the headspace of the sample bottle.

Abstract: A method of determining the amount of water in an industrial oil (e.g., turbine oil) includes homogenizing an oil sample, subjecting the homogenized sample to infrared spectroscopy within 30 minutes of homogenization, and determining a baseline absorbance level for the sample within a predetermined wavenumber range. That baseline is compared with spectral template baselines and, based on the comparison, the amount of water in the oil sample is estimated.

Abstract: A photometer and associated method includes a source of radiation to be directed through a sample and a detector stage configured to measure radiation after passing through the sample. A voltage follower circuit is connected to the detector and is configured to provide an output signal which varies as a function of the detector output voltage and which varies as a function of the ambient temperature. A processing subsystem is configured to determine a temperature compensation factor from the voltage follower circuit output signal.

Abstract: A simple and compact apparatus, and a method, for determining the characteristics of a number of fluids used in the truck and automotive industries including coolant, bio-diesel, gas-ethanol and diesel engine fluid (DEF). The apparatus includes a sample container providing optical paths of different lengths for making measurements on a sample. The dual path length design allows the apparatus to capture both NIR and UV spectral ranges. The qualitative and quantitative properties of the fluid under test are compared to test results under normal conditions or to the properties of unused fluid. Two light sources are used within a spectrometer with each source being associated with a different optical path length.

Abstract: A particle counter and classification system including an imaging subsystem configured to determine the size and morphology of particles above a predetermined size in a fluid in a sample cell. A first stage magnetometer sensor subsystem is tuned to detect and determine the size of ferrous and/or conducting particles. An optional second stage magnetometer sensor subsystem is tuned to detect the overall ferrous particle content of the fluid. A processor subsystem is configured to calculate and report the number of particles in the fluid in a plurality of size ranges, their morphology, their classification as a particular particle type according to their characteristic morphology, the number of ferrous and/or conducting particles, and the overall ferrous content of the fluid.

Abstract: A viscometer assembly includes a first plate with a rail configured to constrain fluid thereon between its edges by surface tension. A second opposing plate has a surface spaced from the rail by a predefined gap of constraining fluid to the rail by surface tension when the rail is inclined and gravity pulls the fluid along the rail. The kinematic viscosity of the fluid is determined as a function of the predetermined gap and the time it takes the fluid to flow along the rail.

Abstract: A sensor and associated methods wherein a bolt or rod stem includes a flow path through and across the stem. A source of radiation within the stem is configured to direct radiation through the flow path and a detector subsystem in the stem is configured to detect radiation passing through the flow path. A head includes electrical conductors for the radiation source and detector subsystem resulting in a compact, inexpensive sensor.

Abstract: A particle quantifier includes a filter with a predetermined number of pores of a first predetermined size, a pump, and a fluid path from the pump to the filter. A pressure sensor is responsive to fluid pressure in the fluid path, and a processing module is responsive to the pressure sensor. The pressure increase of a sample fluid in the fluid path is determined as it is pumped through the filter and particles in the fluid are trapped by the filter. This pressure increase is compared with calibration data and an estimate is made concerning the concentration of particles greater than a second predetermined size present in the sample.

Abstract: A particle counter and classification system including an imaging subsystem configured to determine the size and morphology of particles above a predetermined size in a fluid in a sample cell. A first stage magnetometer sensor subsystem is tuned to detect and determine the size of ferrous and/or conducting particles. An optional second stage magnetometer sensor subsystem is tuned to detect the overall ferrous particle content of the fluid. A processor subsystem is configured to calculate and report the number of particles in the fluid in a plurality of size ranges, their morphology, their classification as a particular particle type according to their characteristic morphology, the number of ferrous and/or conducting particles, and the overall ferrous content of the fluid.

Abstract: A spectrometer sample head including a housing, at least one source of radiation in the housing, and a flip top sample cell including first and second hinged plates and a window through the first plate with a pane in the window, the pane for receiving a sample thereon. The housing includes a channel for receiving the plates when coupled together for placing the sample in the optical path of the radiation.