Abstract: A viscometer system to determine the viscosity of a fluid utilizes an existing flow cell, which maintains a calibrated constriction that is defined by a predetermined constant value K is disclosed. The viscometer system is adapted for use with the flow cell and includes a pair of pressure transducers with one at the input of the flow cell and another at the outlet of the flow cell. During operation, particles within the fluid pass through the flow cell, whereby the positional change of the particles over a predetermined period of time allows the system to calculate the flow rate of the fluid. The system also identifies the change in pressure of the fluid as it passes through the flow cell, such that the pressure change, flow rate, and the constant value K are processed to calculate the viscosity of the fluid being analyzed.

Abstract: A viscometer system to determine the viscosity of a fluid utilizes an existing flow cell, which maintains a calibrated constriction that is defined by a predetermined constant value K is disclosed. The viscometer system is adapted for use with the flow cell and includes a pair of pressure transducers with one at the input of the flow cell and another at the outlet of the flow cell. During operation, particles within the fluid pass through the flow cell, whereby the positional change of the particles over a predetermined period of time allows the system to calculate the flow rate of the fluid. The system also identifies the change in pressure of the fluid as it passes through the flow cell, such that the pressure change, flow rate, and the constant value K are processed to calculate the viscosity of the fluid being analyzed.

Abstract: A flow cell for monitoring operating fluid in an environment with elevated temperature and/or pressure comprises a body having a body aperture. The body aperture provides opposing inlet and outlet flow slits that are disposed within a wall maintained by the body aperture. The body aperture is configured to receive upper and lower transparent plates that are separated by a pair of spaced shims. The spaced shims define a flow channel between the plates, which is aligned with the inlet and outlet flow slits. A retainer is attached by suitable fasteners to retain the plates and shims in place, and thus sealing the flow of operating fluid through the flow channel from the external environment.

Abstract: A flow cell for monitoring operating fluid in an environment with elevated temperature and/or pressure comprises a body having a body aperture. The body aperture provides opposing inlet and outlet flow slits that are disposed within a wall maintained by the body aperture. The body aperture is configured to receive upper and lower transparent plates that are separated by a pair of spaced shims. The spaced shims define a flow channel between the plates, which is aligned with the inlet and outlet flow slits. A retainer is attached by suitable fasteners to retain the plates and shims in place, and thus sealing the flow of operating fluid through the flow channel from the external environment.

Abstract: A tribological debris analysis system alternately including a general purpose computer used in conjunction with an imaging device and an illumination delivery system, or a circuit board integrating an embedded processor with the imaging device used in conjunction with the illumination delivery system. The illumination delivery system includes a bypass conduit connected to the machine under evaluation, an optical flow cell, a pump for pumping a fluid through the optical flow cell connected to the bypass conduit, and a laser for illuminating the fluid flowing through the optical flow cell. The imaging device detects debris and sends information representative of the debris to the general purpose computer or the embedded processor. The general purpose computer or the embedded processor classifies the debris according to size, generates shape features of the imaged debris and identifies a type of object wear based upon the shape features.

Abstract: An optical flow cell is disclosed that includes a flow cell body having an inlet and an outlet with a flow opening therebetween to allow a fluid to pass therethrough. A light entry fixture and a light imaging fixture are transversely carried by the flow cell body to allow viewing of the flow opening, wherein the light entry fixture is positioned at one side of the body and the light imaging fixture is positioned at an opposite side of the body. The fixtures are made from at least some materials different than then flow cell body but having a thermal rate of expansion that matches a thermal rate of the body so as to maintain a predetermined size of the flow opening during temperature fluctuations.

Abstract: An optical flow is disclosed having a shell with a first portion and a second portion. The first portion provides a light entry aperture, and the second portion provides an imaging aperture. An inlet tube and an outlet tube are retained between the first portion and the second portion. A viewing assembly is retained between the first portion and the second portion. The viewing assembly includes a reference plate and a flow channel. The flow channel fluidly communicates with the inlet tube and the outlet tube. The reference plate extends from the shell to serve as a repeatable reference point for properly positioning the optical flow cell.

Abstract: A tribological debris analysis system includes a general purpose computer; and a tribological sensor system for generating data. The sensor system includes an optical flow cell a pump for pumping a fluid through the optical flow cell, a laser for illuminating the fluid flowing through the optical flow cell, and an imaging device for detecting any debris in the fluid illuminated by the laser. The imaging device sends the object information—in either the form of object elements or objection segments—representative of the debris to the general purpose computer for analysis. The general purpose computer classifies the debris according to size, any trends associated with the size of the debris, generating shape features of the imaged debris and identifying a type of object wear based upon the shape features.

Abstract: A fixture for imaging particles passing through a cell includes a plate having a plurality of aligned component pin openings and a plurality of mount holes. Several components are mounted to the plate including a camera mount, an illuminator assembly, and a lens support assembly. The camera mount assembly has a pair of registration pins receivable in a pair of plurality of component pin openings, and the camera mount has a pair of base holes alignable with a pair of mount holes for receiving fasteners to secure the camera mount assembly to the plate. The illuminator assembly has a pair of registration pins receivable in a pair of plurality of component pin openings which are in the form of slide slots, the illuminator assembly having a set of flange slots alignable with another pair of the mount holes for receiving fasteners to secure the illuminator assembly to the plate.

Abstract: A tribological debris analysis system includes a general purpose computer; and a tribological sensor system for generating data. The sensor system includes an optical flow cell a pump for pumping a fluid through the optical flow cell, a laser for illuminating the fluid flowing through the optical flow cell, and an imaging device for detecting any debris in the fluid illuminated by the laser. The imaging device sends the object information—in either the form of object elements or objection segments—representative of the debris to the general purpose computer for analysis. The general purpose computer classifies the debris according to size, any trends associated with the size of the debris, generating shape features of the imaged debris and identifying a type of object wear based upon the shape features.

Abstract: A fixture for imaging particles passing through a cell includes a plate having a plurality of aligned component pin openings and a plurality of mount holes. Several components are mounted to the plate including a camera mount, an illuminator assembly, and a lens support assembly. The camera mount assembly has a pair of registration pins receivable in a pair of plurality of component pin openings, and the camera mount has a pair of base holes alignable with a pair of mount holes for receiving fasteners to secure the camera mount assembly to the plate. The illuminator assembly has a pair of registration pins receivable in a pair of plurality of component pin openings which are in the form of slide slots, the illuminator assembly having a set of flange slots alignable with another pair of the mount holes for receiving fasteners to secure the illuminator assembly to the plate.