Abstract: A device for determining whether a lubricant to be examined effects the formation of a deposit on a sensor element has a sensor element for detecting values of at least one physical parameter of the lubricant. The sensor element is in contact with the lubricant. Furthermore, there is provided a potential difference source for applying a potential difference between the sensor element and the lubricant. Moreover, there is provided an evaluator for evaluating at least two values of the physical parameter which are detected at different potential states between the sensor element and the lubricant in order to thus determine whether the lubricant causes a deposit formation on the sensor element.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved method and apparatus for monitoring the status of particle filtration devices found in various filter units. The invention employs one or more light sources aimed across the filter units and one or more corresponding detectors that detect changes in light intensity from the light source. When a leak occurs whereby dust is released into the atmosphere around any given filter, the detectors will note a decrease in light intensity and will signal a problem. By using multiple light sources and detectors, or by getting signals from different angles from a single light source and detector, the present invention allows for quick and accurate pin-pointing of leakage problems.

Abstract: A leakage detection system is provided having a plurality of locally distributed integrated units with a leakage sensor, preprocessing unit, and evaluation unit which connects with the individual integrated units or with a group of integrated units via a serial bus line. In each preprocessing unit, the value measured by the leakage sensor is subjected to a temperature compensation process.