Abstract: A method for filtering condition measurements made of a fluid used in transportation and industrial equipment that operates in varying state to meet performance requirements. Equipment operating state is monitored by fluid temperature without need for further input.

Abstract: A method for determining a condition of a highly resistive fluid in transportation and industrial equipment. The method is suitable for determining the condition of a non-aqueous fluid including applying a high-frequency voltage signal between electrodes immersed in the fluid, measuring the fluid's response to the applied signal and determining a fluid property, and comparing the magnitude of the determined property, relative to the magnitude of that property when the fluid is fresh.

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 method for determining a fuel-dilution condition of a lubricant used in transportation and industrial equipment. The method uses apparatus that applies a high frequency and optionally a low frequency oscillating signal to electrodes immersed in the fluid and quantifies fluid response to the signals. Apparatus can further include means to control the lubricant temperature, or a temperature sensor to monitor the lubricant temperature at the electrodes. The method monitors response of the lubricant to the applied electrical signals and determines ratios of lubricant properties. The high-frequency lubricant property ratio or change of high frequency lubricant property as a function of a lubricant use-measure is compared to a predicted ratio based on lubricant use and an estimate of the lubricant's fuel dilution determined. The optional low-frequency lubricant property ratio is compared to thresholds to determine when the lubricant loses the ability to control fuel dilution.

Abstract: An apparatus for on-line optical monitoring of the quality and/or chemical condition of a fluid; in particular, a hydrocarbon-based fluid used in transportation and industrial applications. The apparatus includes an IR-transparent internal-reflectance-element (IRE) that has at least one essentially flat surface and at least one convex surface, and at least two IR light paths of uniquely determined central-frequency and bandwidth with light from a source entering a flat surface of the IRE, internally reflecting at least once from at least one convex surface of the IRE that can contact a fluid, exiting a flat surface of the IRE, and being received at a detector. The apparatus also includes electronics to power the source and receive output from the detector of each light path. The apparatus can be controlled to independently monitor the IR light reflected within the IRE at the uniquely determined frequency of each path, and to communicate information relevant to the IR light detected.

Abstract: An apparatus for on-line optical monitoring of the quality and/or chemical condition of a fluid; in particular, a hydrocarbon-based fluid used in transportation and industrial applications. The apparatus includes an IR-transparent internal-reflectance-element (IRE) that has at least one essentially flat surface and at least one convex surface, and at least two IR light paths of uniquely determined central-frequency and bandwidth with light from a source entering a flat surface of the IRE, internally reflecting at least once from at least one convex surface of the IRE that can contact a fluid, exiting a flat surface of the IRE, and being received at a detector. The apparatus also includes electronics to power the source and receive output from the detector of each light path. The apparatus can be controlled to independently monitor the IR light reflected within the IRE at the uniquely determined frequency of each path, and to communicate information relevant to the IR light detected.

Abstract: A method for determining quality and condition of a highly resistive fluid in transportation and industrial equipment. The method uses apparatus that applies a multitude of oscillating voltage signals at determined frequencies and offsets to electrodes immersed in the fluid and quantifies fluid response to the signals. The method monitors response of the fluid to a preferred three fixed electrical signals applied by the apparatus, a high and a medium frequency signal with zero offset voltage and a low frequency signal with an offset voltage. For apparatus or applications where the monitored fluid is not controlled to constant temperature, the method includes correcting the temperature sensitive fluid responses for temperature variations for the fluid quality and condition determination. The method can also include determining when essentially complete fluid exchanges are made to the equipment without need for additional input.

Abstract: An apparatus for on-line optical monitoring of the quality and/or chemical condition of a fluid; in particular, a hydrocarbon-based fluid used in transportation and industrial applications. The apparatus includes an IR-transparent internal-reflectance-element (IRE) that has at least one essentially flat surface and at least one convex surface, and at least two IR light paths of uniquely determined central-frequency and bandwidth with light from a source entering a flat surface of the IRE, internally reflecting at least once from at least one convex surface of the IRE that can contact a fluid, exiting a flat surface of the IRE, and being received at a detector. The apparatus also includes electronics to power the source and receive output from the detector of each light path. The apparatus can be controlled to independently monitor the IR light reflected within the IRE at the uniquely determined frequency of each path, and to communicate information relevant to the IR light detected.

Abstract: A method for determining quality and condition of a highly resistive fluid in transportation and industrial equipment. The method uses apparatus that applies a multitude of oscillating voltage signals at determined frequencies and offsets to electrodes immersed in the fluid and quantifies fluid response to the signals. Apparatus can further include means to control the temperature of the fluid, or a temperature sensor to monitor the temperature of fluid at the electrodes. The method monitors response of the fluid to a preferred three fixed electrical signals applied by the apparatus, a high and a medium frequency signal with zero offset voltage and a low frequency signal with an offset voltage. For fluids in applications where change in the fluid's change in high-frequency response is substantially less than changes in medium- and low-frequency responses, the method can monitor response to only the medium-frequency, zero-offset-voltage signal and the low-frequency, non-zero-offset-voltage signal.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for adding relatively small amounts of one or more liquid additives to powder coating composition where the liquid is sprayed onto granular or particulate components of the powder composition during mechanical mixing to blend the components before further homogenizing by a melt mixing process.

Abstract: Fiber-polymer-composite structure core includes array of unidirectional fiber-columns that can be optimized for structure robustness and/or weight. The unidirectional columns extend through the core between at-least-perpendicular core surface sections in a manner that allows the columns to bond to—and to transfer forces between—composite-structure skin-sections. The columns can be fiber-polymer composite, all fiber, or all fiber that become fiber-polymer composite when a cored composite structure is produced.

Abstract: A system for periodically maintaining non-fuel fluids required for proper performance by various apparatus and for reporting non-fuel fluid maintenance action taken. Maintenance systems include means for replacing, replenishing or renewing non-fuel fluids or renewing non-fuel fluid filters. Reporting systems include means for communicating information between on- and off-apparatus sub-systems and for generating reports that document non-fuel fluid maintenance actions taken.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring a highly electrically-resistive fluid. The method includes applying across the fluid an AC signal that includes at least two different AC electrical potentials, with at least one AC electrical potential having a non-zero DC offset, measuring the fluid's electrical response at each applied potential, and analyzing the fluid quality and/or condition using the applied AC signal and the corresponding measured electrical responses. The invention finds application in conjunction with the on-line (i.e., while in use) monitoring a highly resistive fluids such as, e.g., lubricants, natural and/or synthetic motor oils optionally including standard additives and/or adjuncts, combustion engine fuels, other hydrocarbon-based fluids used in transportation and industrial applications, and the like.

Abstract: A system for periodically maintaining non-fuel fluids required for proper performance by various apparatus and for reporting non-fuel fluid maintenance action taken. Maintenance systems include means for replacing, replenishing or renewing non-fuel fluids or renewing non-fuel fluid filters. Reporting systems include means for communicating information between on- and off-apparatus sub-systems and for generating reports that document non-fuel fluid maintenance actions taken.

Abstract: A system for periodically maintaining non-fuel fluids required for proper performance by various apparatus and for reporting non-fuel fluid maintenance action taken. Maintenance systems include means for replacing, replenishing or renewing non-fuel fluids or renewing non-fuel fluid filters. Reporting systems include means for communicating information between on- and off-apparatus sub-systems and for generating reports that document non-fuel fluid maintenance actions taken.

Abstract: A system for automatically and simultaneously diagnosing apparatus performance and safety condition, maintaining on-apparatus components and sub-systems, and reporting apparatus condition and maintenance action taken during apparatus refueling. Diagnostic sub-systems include means for determining the condition of fluids or components that are consumed or deteriorate during use. Maintenance sub-systems include means for replacing, replenishing or renewing non-fuel fluids or components that are consumed or deteriorate during use. Reporting sub-systems include means for communicating information between on- and off-apparatus sub-systems and for generating reports that document apparatus performance and safety condition and the maintenance actions taken during refueling. A report can be presented to the apparatus operator, apparatus maintenance technician and/or to a central reporting facility.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring a highly electrically-resistive fluid is provided. The method includes applying across the fluid an AC signal that includes at least two different AC electrical potentials, with at least one AC electrical potential having a non-zero DC offset, measuring the fluid's electrical response at each applied potential, and analyzing the fluid quality and/or condition using the applied AC signal and the corresponding measured electrical responses. The invention finds application in conjunction with the on-line (i.e., while in use) monitoring of highly resistive fluids such as, e.g., lubricants, natural and/or synthetic motor oils optionally including standard additives and/or adjuncts, combustion engine fuels, other hydrocarbon-based fluids used in transportation and industrial applications, and the like.

Abstract: A viscometer for sensing or characterizing the stress required to shear a fluid at a given rate includes a pair of members coaxially mounted for relative rotation. Between the members is an annular gap defining a flow path for the fluid. The flow path is configured such that during differential rotation of the members, fluid is caused to flow through the annular gap that is a function of the differential rotation and the viscosity of the fluid. A sensor measures the torque or torque equivalent required to achieve such differential rotation between the members.

Abstract: A viscometer for sensing or characterizing the stress required to shear a fluid at a given rate includes a pair of members coaxially mounted for relative rotation. Between the members is an annular gap defining a flow path for the fluid. The flow path is configured such that during differential rotation of the members, fluid is caused to flow through the annular gap that is a function of the differential rotation and the viscosity of the fluid. A sensor measures the torque or torque equivalent required to achieve such differential rotation between the members.

Abstract: A viscometer for sensing or characterizing the stress required to shear a fluid at a given rate includes a pair of members coaxially mounted for relative rotation. Between the members is an annular gap defining a flow path for the fluid. The flow path is configured such that during differential rotation of the members, fluid is caused to flow through the annular gap that is a function of the differential rotation and the viscosity of the fluid. A sensor measures the torque or torque equivalent required to achieve such differential rotation between the members.