Abstract: Apparatus for detecting fuel in oil includes an excitation light source in optical communication with an oil sample for exposing the oil sample to excitation light in order to excite the oil sample from a non-excited state to an excited state and a spectrally selective device in optical communication with the oil sample for detecting light emitted from the oil sample as the oil sample returns from the excited state to a non-excited state to produce spectral indicia that can be analyzed to determine the presence of fuel in the oil sample. A method of detecting fuel in oil includes the steps of exposing a oil sample to excitation light in order to excite the oil sample from a non-excited state to an excited state, as the oil sample returns from the excited state to a non-excited state, detecting light emitted from the oil sample to produce spectral indicia; and analyzing the spectral indicia to determine the presence of fuel in the oil sample.

Abstract: To provide an oil type discrimination method and an oil type discriminator capable of accurately discriminating a type of oil even when light-shielding components exist in the oil and of preventing in advance erroneous discrimination of a mixture of oil. There are provided step S1 in which the transmission spectrum of near infrared light is measured, step S2 in which the transmission spectrum is converted into an absorbance spectrum, a first discrimination step S3 in which between gasoline type and non-gasoline type is discriminated by comparing the difference in absorbance between two wavelengths existing in the vicinities of respective attribute wavelengths of predetermined chemical bonds with 0.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for monitoring oil deterioration in real time. The method includes the steps of radiating light into an oil medium and measuring light intensities at red, green and blue wavelength ranges of the light after passing through a certain thickness of the oil. A ratio of the light intensity at the red wavelength range to the light intensity at the green wavelength range is computed by using the measured light intensities. These steps are repeated to monitor a change in the above ratio value in real time of oil use.

Abstract: Methods for evaluation of fish oil, oils, omega-3 fatty acid compositions, and dietary supplements containing omega-3 essential fatty acids and other fats are provided herein. The relative purity and/or concentration of oil-containing aliquots can be determined by cooling approximately equal volumes of two or more aliquots to a temperature near or below 0 degrees Celsius. When cooled, the most opaque aliquots are the least pure. The invention also provide a method for determining whether an omega-3 fatty acid supplement is greater than 90% pure, which includes cooling the supplement to less than 0 degrees Celsius and a determining that the supplement is 90% pure if its appearance is essentially unchanged from its appearance and room temperature.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an oil monitoring apparatus are provided. In one embodiment, an oil monitoring apparatus includes a probe and an analyzing module in-line connected to the probe. The probe includes: a first sensor for measuring respective optical intensities of a light passing through the oil at respective red, green and blue wavelength ranges; a second sensor for measuring a water content; and a third sensor for measuring a temperature of the oil. The analyzing module calculates and monitors chemical deterioration of the oil, total contamination of the oil, a relative saturation of the oil by water and temperature of the oil based on the output signals of the first and third sensors. The oil monitoring apparatus monitors various parameters relating to the deterioration of the oil and to the physical properties of the oil simultaneously and successively.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for estimating a downhole fluid property using a carrier conveyable into a well borehole, one or more light sources carried by the carrier, the one or more light sources comprising at least one quantum cascade laser light source, a fluid sample cell that receives light emitted from the one or more light sources, and at least one photodetector that detects light emitted from the one or more light sources after the light interacts with a fluid in the fluid sample cell.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting contaminants in hydrocarbon fuel are disclosed, wherein a fuel analyzer includes a flow sensor to facilitate an automatic start up and shut down of a fuel analysis, and a calibration standard to facilitate an inline calibration of the fuel analyzer.

Abstract: This disclosure relates in general to methods and systems for measuring multiphase flows in a pipeline using a combination of venturi, microwave and radiation techniques, where the pipeline is configured to transport hydrocarbons. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, certain embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems in which low activity radiation sources may be used in combination with one or more microwave transmitter-receiver pairs and pressure differential sensors to measure the flow rates and fractions of phases in multiphase flows in a pipeline, such as may be encountered in producing hydrocarbon wells. Additionally, other embodiments of the present invention provide for the arrangement of one or more microwave transmitter-receiver pairs, one or more radiation source-detector pairs and/or one or more pressure sensor ports in the same cross-section of the throat of a venturi to measure multiphase flow in a hydrocarbon transporting pipeline.

Abstract: A method and a device for the automatic detection of at least one fluorescent and/or light-absorbent indicator contained in a liquid service fluid during the filling of a machine, in particular a combustion engine of a vehicle, with said service fluid are provided. Detection takes place in the following manner: irradiation during the filling of the service fluid to be analyzed using at least one light source (3) in a measuring section (2); capture of the light (14) passing through the service fluid in the measuring section (2) and/or emanating from the indicator contained in said fluid as a result of a fluorescent effect, by means of a light collector (5), the intensity of the light being influenced by the indicator or indicators or the concentration thereof; generation of at least one measurement signal (8, 9) representing the intensity of the light that strikes.

Abstract: Thermally tunable optical sensors are used in sampling tools for analysis of samples from a wellbore. The thermally tunable optical sensors generate a series passbands of wavelength emissions and detect attenuation in a signal thereof. The attenuation detected is processed and used to determine aspects of the samples. Analysis may be completed remotely (outside of the wellbore), within the wellbore (during drilling or otherwise), or as a part of another process such as fluid management, transport and refinement.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for high resolution spectroscopy (approximately 10 picometer wavelength resolution) using a tunable optical filter (TOF) for analyzing a formation fluid sample downhole and at the surface to determine formation fluid parameters. The analysis comprises determination of gas oil ratio, API gravity and various other fluid parameters which can be estimated after developing correlations to a training set of samples using a neural network or a chemometric equation.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for monitoring oil deterioration in real time. The method includes the steps of radiating light into an oil medium and measuring light intensities at red, green and blue wavelength ranges of the light after passing through a certain thickness of the oil. A ratio of the light intensity at the red wavelength range to the light intensity at the green wavelength range is computed by using the measured light intensities. These steps are repeated to monitor a change in the above ratio value in real time of oil use.

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: Apparatus for detecting the presence of a targeted group of hydrocarbons, such as diesel/fuel oil, lube oil, motor oil, hydraulic oil, jet fuel, mineral oil and crude oil in a highly reliable manner even though present at only extremely low concentration. A high power, pulsed light source is focused into a collimated beam that is reduced by a set of filters to a band of pulsed light within a precise set of wavelengths and directed vertically onto a target surface, such as a body of water. All but a precise band of light wavelengths returning to the apparatus are blocked so that substantially all light which then reaches an internal photodetector is within such precise band of wavelengths; as a result receipt of such light programmed intervals following such pulses is indicative of the presence of a member of the targeted hydrocarbon group.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of diagnosing a lubricated portion which can precisely measure a metal concentration in a lubricating oil and can diagnose accurately a state of the lubricated portion on the basis of a value of measurement. In accordance with the present diagnosing method, a lubricating oil picked up from the lubricated portion is diluted by an organic solvent so as to prepare a sample oil, the sample oil is filtrated by a filter so as to separate a large-diameter metal particle having a particle diameter larger than 0.5 ?m, a metal concentration of a solution formed by dissolving the large-diameter metal particle by an acid and a metal concentration of a filtrate including a small-diameter metal particle having a particle diameter equal to or smaller than 0.

Abstract: Oil aging and particulate building in a lubricant other than one exposed to combustion products is monitored by detecting light transmitted through the lubricant at least one, and preferably, two or more preselected wavelengths over a pathlength greater than about 0.5 cm wherein one wavelength is in the near infra-red spectrum and/or one wavelength is in the visible or near infra-red spectrum. The detected light when compared to predetermined values provides an indication of the condition of the lubricant.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring oil oxidation is capable of being mounted to mechanical devices for detecting power of fluorescent light reflected from oil in real time as an indication of the oil oxidation. A plurality of first optical fibers are connected to a light-emitting member for introducing the light into oil at different incidence points. A plurality of light-reflecting mirrors are immersed in the oil and disposed opposite to the incidence points. The light-reflecting mirrors are located at different distances from the incidence points. A plurality of second optical fibers are connected to the incidence points, respectively. A plurality of light-receiving members are connected to the second optical fibers for receiving the light and outputting the signals corresponding to the received light.

Abstract: A bearing with an oil film thickness measuring device in which sensor portions at distal ends of four common optical fibers are connected to sensor mounting portions formed at four positions in an axial direction of a bearing body. A lubricating oil containing a fluorescent agent is supplied to a sliding surface of the bearing body. A laser beam generated from a laser beam generator is branched into four beams, which are applied to an oil film on a sliding surface through each of sensor portions. Fluorescence generated by the fluorescent agent in the oil film, passing through a return-route optical fiber, is introduced into a photomultiplier tube, and is detected. Since the fluorescence intensity detected by the photomultiplier tube is proportional to the thickness of oil film, the absolute value of oil film thickness can be measured. In this case, the oil film thickness can be measured at four positions.

Abstract: Flexible joint which is used for the repair during the production of metallic tubes which enclose loosely inside them optical fibers, surrounded by a suitable filling material or for the connection of long lengths of the above mentioned tubes during the manufacturing of submarine cables which contain these tubes. The joint comprises a connecting metallic tube (6), which connects externally with overlapping at its ends the metallic tubes (3, 10) after splicing is performed between the optical fibers which they enclose and which are separated in bundles (1, 2). The mechanical connection of the joint is achieved through plastic deformation of the over-applied connecting metallic tube by creating grooved rings (11) at the sections where it overlaps the metallic tubes to be connected (3,10). The water tightness of the joint is obtained by welding the ends (8) of the over-applied connecting metallic tube (6) to the external surface of the metallic tubes to be connected (3, 10).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for controlling mineral scale deposition from a formation fluid. The rate at which scaling is occurring is measured in real time using an attenuated total reflectance probe and a photometer. The results are then used to determine whether to increase, decrease or leave unchanged addition of anti-scaling additives.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring oil flow velocity in a well are provided which utilize fluorescence quenching. A marker which quenches the natural fluorescence of crude oil is chosen and injected into the oil flow at a first location. At a second location, the oil flow is subjected to light at a wavelength which will cause oil to naturally fluoresce. The fluorescence signal is detected at the second location by a sensing probe. The time that it takes for the quenching marker to move from the first location to the second location is measured by sensing a decrease in fluorescence due to the quencher. Fluid velocity is determined by dividing the distance between the marker-ejection point and the optical probe position by the time it took the marker to move that distance.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring soot content in diesel engine oil in real time comprises an optical rod capable of transmitting light and having a boundary surface adapted to be in contact with the diesel engine oil and first and second end portions, a light-emitting portion, and a first optical fiber connected to the light-emitting means. The first optical fiber is adapted to transmit light from the light-emitting means to the first end portion of the optical rod in an aperture angle of the optical fiber to the boundary surface. The apparatus also comprises a light-receiving portion adapted to receive light from the optical rod and output a signal corresponding to the received light power. The refractive index of the optical rod is larger than the refractive index of the diesel engine oil. The aperture angle of the optical fiber is equal to or larger than a critical angle reduced to air at which the light is totally reflected by the boundary surface.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method to determine if asphaltenes are soluble or insoluble in a solution. The solution may be a petroleum oil, a mixture of petroleum oils, petroleum derived oils and mixtures or similar combinations in a solvent. The invention includes the steps of illuminating the solution with a laser, measuring the small angle scattered light as a function of angle away from the laser beam, and determining if the asphaltenes are soluble or insoluble in the solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to an oil system, in particular a hydraulic oil system or a lubricating oil system, comprising a sensor for monitoring the impurity content of the oil in the oil system, the sensor detecting a value which is correlated with the impurity content. A particularly cost-effective construction is achieved, if the sensor is configured as a turbidity sensor which measures the turbidity of the oil, which has been caused by the impurity content.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining past-service conditions and/or remaining useful life of a component of a combustion engine and/or a thermal barrier coating (“TBC”) of the component comprises a radiation source that provides the exciting radiation to the TBC to excite a photoluminescent (“PL”) material contained therein, a radiation detector for detecting radiation emitted by the PL material, and means for relating a characteristic of an emission spectrum of the PL material to the amount of a crystalline phase in the TBC, thereby inferring the past-service conditions or the remaining useful life of the component or the TBC.

Abstract: Liquid, particularly leaked oil or other hydrophobic liquid, is detected by a sensor. This preferably has a hydrophobic membrane (G) that takes up the oil selectively, a radiation source (A) that beams radiation at an interface between the membrane (G) and a window (F), and a radiation detector (H) that receives radiation resulting from interaction (such as reflection, scattering or fluorescence) of the input radiation with the liquid-containing membrane (G). The detector may employ a spectrofluorimeter (H) whose output can be used to characterise the liquid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the concentration of a constituent in a fluid by directing a beam of light into the fluid and sensing the intensity of components of the light emerging from the fluid at various wavelengths. The light emerging from the fluid can be light that has been attenuated by absorption or induced by fluorescent radiation. The effect of scattering on the light is minimized by normalizing the component intensities, which are then applied to an algorithm incorporating weighting factors that weighs the influence that the intensity at each wavelength has on the determination of the concentration of the constituent for which the algorithm was developed. The algorithm is developed by a regression analysis based upon a plurality of known mixtures containing various concentrations of the constituent of interest.

Abstract: A downhole optical apparatus includes an LED source, reflectance and fluorescence detectors, a plurality of fibers, a dichroic mirror (DM), a beam splitter/coupler, a probe, a short-pass filter (SP), a dichroic long-pass filter (LP), and a lens. Source light filtered by the SP is fed to the DM which deflects light of desired wavelengths only. The deflected light is focused by the lens onto a fiber and is ultimately injected into an oil flow by the probe. Light reflected by oil or fluorescing therefrom is received by the probe, and split by the splitter. A small portion is received by the reflectance detector. A large portion is received by the lens and directed to the DM which deflects reflected light and passes light at longer fluorescing wavelengths. Passed light is further filtered by the DM and LP to eliminate remnants of the reflected light, and provided to the fluorescence detector.

Abstract: It is disclosed a device and a method for the on-line determination of the concentration of oil in a water solution by the angle of rotation of plane polarized light.

Abstract: Method and device for predicting the flocculation threshold of asphaltenes contained in hydrocarbon mixtures. The method comprises the following stages: determining the refraction index (nA) of several asphaltenes used as reference asphaltenes; determining experimentally, for predetermined thermodynamic conditions, the variation of solubility index (&dgr;) in connection with the refraction index of hydrocarbon constituents including light hydrocarbons and reference asphaltenes; deducing therefrom a correlation relation modelling this variation of solubility index (&dgr;).

Abstract: A detector assembly which is capable of analyzing a material, the detector assembly comprising: an internal reflection element which is formed of a polymer having internally reflecting surfaces and an optical index of refraction greater than that of the material; a base portion disposed substantially adjacent to the internal reflection element; a light source disposed within the base portion wherein it is in communication with the internal reflection element such that the light source is capable of radiating light into the internal reflection element such that it contacts the internally reflecting surfaces; and a light analyzer disposed within the base portion wherein it is in communication with the internal reflection element such that the light analyzer is capable of measuring the absorbance by the material as the light is discharged from the internal reflection element.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring soot content in diesel engine oil in real time comprises an optical rod capable of transmitting light and having a boundary surface adapted to be in contact with the diesel engine oil and first and second end portions, a light-emitting portion, and a first optical fiber connected to the light-emitting means. The first optical fiber is adapted to transmit light from the light-emitting means to the first end portion of the optical rod in an aperture angle of the optical fiber to the boundary surface. The apparatus also comprises a light-receiving portion adapted to receive light from the optical rod and output a signal corresponding to the received light power. The refractive index of the optical rod is larger than the refractive index of the diesel engine oil. The aperture angle of the optical fiber is equal to or larger than a critical angle reduced to air at which the light is totally reflected by the boundary surface.

Abstract: An automatic transmission fluid tester determines the remaining service life of automatic transmission fluid. The tester includes a radiation source for emitting radiation in the direction of an automatic transmission fluid sample under test, and a radiation receiver for detecting radiation passed through the sample. Based on the output of the radiation receiver, the tester measures the opacity of the sample. The remaining service life of the automatic transmission fluid is determined as a function of the measured opacity.

Abstract: A process, a method and apparatus are provided for testing and analyzing oil's physical and chemical characteristics and contaminants found in oil. A process separates contaminants prior to testing of oil's chemical and physical characteristics and includes manufacturing and operation parameters, and visual techniques for analysis. An apparatus is provided to separate and remove contaminants into magnetic, non-magnetic and liquids for further testing and analysis. This is accomplished using magnetic fields, filtration and condensing systems. The testing of oil's chemical and physical characteristics as well as contaminants is done using a plurality of tests such as viscosity, blotter, opacity and images for contaminants. A method is provided to prepare blotter and filtration systems, to remove fluid contaminants from particles and to include process parameters, trending and graphical analysis of images via software programming.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for monitoring the quality of crude oil, including oil, gas, and water holdup, are disclosed on-line. The apparatus comprises a series of fiber optical sensors that are installed into the transferring pipe of the crude oil, which exits at any given moment from underground. The method provides analytical data on-line concerning the status of the crude oil at any point in time. Great reliability and a quick response can be expected without sending samples to a laboratory. Therefore, the invented method allows the user to adjust the technology of the oil extraction according to the status of the crude oil.

Abstract: The thickness of an organic material on a substrate, such as an oil film on a metal sheet (12), is monitored by illuminating the film with ultraviolet radiation (14) and measuring the fluorescent light intensity (44, 48) from the organic material. The reflectivity of the substrate is also monitored, and used in calculating the thickness. The technique is also applicable where the substrate is moving.

Abstract: A fluid quality sensor system comprising a light source, a first light sensitive element disposed at a distance from the light source, forming a gap having dimensions suitable for permitting a fluid to flow therebetween, and aligned with the light source to receive light transmitted by the light source through the fluid, a second light sensitive element disposed perpendicular to a midpoint of a light path between the light source and the first light sensitive element, and a third light sensitive element disposed so as to form an acute angle at the midpoint with the light source.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic analysis method of crude oils, using spectroscopy. A near infrared spectroscopic analysis apparatus is combined with an ordinary distillation apparatus, so as to analyze the physical properties of each oil distillate as soon as it is separated from crude oils, thereby bringing about a significant improvement in analysis accuracy and in an economical aspect. It takes only two days for one person to obtain a full assay data for crude oils by taking advantage of the method. In addition to requiring a significantly reduced equipment cost, the method enables full assay data for crude oils to be obtained quickly, thereby securing more up-to-date information about crude oils and producing an economical benefit.

Abstract: A detector assembly which is capable of analyzing a material, the detector assembly comprising: an internal reflection element which is formed of a polymer having internally reflecting surfaces and an optical index of refraction greater than that of the material; a base portion disposed substantially adjacent to the internal reflection element; a light source disposed within the base portion wherein it is in communication with the internal reflection element such that the light source is capable of radiating light into the internal reflection element such that it contacts the internally reflecting surfaces; and a light analyzer disposed within the base portion wherein it is in communication with the internal reflection element such that the light analyzer is capable of measuring the absorbance by the material as the light is discharged from the internal reflection element.

Abstract: Method and device for predicting the flocculation threshold of asphaltenes contained in hydrocarbon mixtures.

Abstract: A monitor for detecting failures in the installation of neon gas sign transformers has an electronic circuit in the transformer compartment to turn the transformer off in the event any failure occurs. The monitor uses a programmed digital micro-controller connected to the transformer and supplies an exciting current to a “TRIAC” that turns on/off the primary coil of the transformer under an AC voltage of the distribution network and also supplies a current to turn on a red LED when failures occur and a green LED that indicates if any power is being fed from the distribution network. When the sign lights properly, the TRIAC is activated, the transformer remains activated and the red LED remains inactivated while the green LED remains activated. When there is any failure the monitor detects the failure immediately and the transformer is turned off and six seconds later it is automatically turned on again. If the cause of the failure disappears, the transformer continues operating regularly.

Abstract: A silver halide fiber optic for the detection and identification of petroleum. The fiber optic serves both as a waveguide for transmitting a signal to and from petroleum in remote locations and also as an intrinsic part of the sensing element to obtain evanescent wave spectra. The evanescent wave is attenuated at various wavelengths based on the chemical composition of the petroleum in which the sensor is immersed. The spectrum obtained from an unknown sample is compared with the spectrum of known samples from a library to identify the unknown sample.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus determines contaminant level of oil by qualitatively measuring the light intensity after the light has transmitted through an oil sample. The apparatus comprises light emitting means for generating light to be provided to the oil sample, a container for storing the oil sample, the container being displaced from the light emitting means by a predetermined distance, light receiving means for detecting the intensity of light transmitted through the oil sample, the receiving means being displaced from the container by a predetermined distance, first light conveyance means for conveying the light generated by the light emitting means as coherent light to the oil sample, second light conveyance means for conveying the light transmitted through the oil sample to the light receiving means, wherein the characteristics of the light emitting means and the light receiving means are controlled so that they do not vary depending on the temperature of the oil sample.

Abstract: Method for monitoring oil state which combines optical transmissivity of oil with certain kinds of optoelectrical optodetector. In particular, the oil state in automatic gearboxes is monitored to detect lack of oil quantity or quality and, furthermore, to detect malfunction of gearbox mechanisms. A region of the oil is scanned with infrared oil and the amount of light reaching straight accross a short gap in said region is detected to derive monitoring information.

Abstract: To nondestructively diagnose a weight reduction ratio of an insulating material or a lubricating oil without stopping operation of the equipment, a nondestructive diagnostic method uses an optical fiber probe type sensor in which a light transmission loss or a reflective absorbance difference is used as a parameter.

Abstract: A spectroscopic fluid sample cell for the transmission and detection of radiation with the key components being a housing; a centripetal acceleration chamber formed by the housing and extending through the housing for circulating a fluid through the housing over a curvilinear flow path about a rotational axis; a pair of windows aligned along a common axis intersecting a portion of the chamber and parallel to the rotational axis; a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet in communication with the centripetal acceleration chamber; and a flow director positioned in the housing to induce centripetal acceleration on fluid passing through the chamber and establish a radial composition gradient across the fluid chamber has been developed.

Abstract: A fluid monitor determines the quality, intensity and/or level of a fluid by transmitting a beam of light through the fluid and evaluating any changes to the shape of the beam as a result of being transmitted through the fluid. The monitor includes a light source and a lens which generate an incident beam of light having a predefined cross sectional shape. The beam is transmitted through a volume of the fluid, which modifies the shape of the beam as a function of the fluid quality, intensity and/or level. The beam can be polarized before being transmitted through the fluid or after beam transmission. The polarized beam is directed to a detector which evaluates the horizontal and vertical components of the beam and provides a shape signal to a detection circuit. The detection circuit processes the shape signal received from the detector to determine the quality, intensity and/or level of the fluid based on any variations from the predefined shape of the incident beam.

Abstract: Single point optical probes for measuring three-phase characteristics of fluid flow in a hydrocarbon well and methods of processing signals generated by the probe are disclosed. A single fiber optic probe is coupled to a light source and apparatus for detecting reflectance and fluorescence. Light is delivered to the tip of the probe where it either exits the probe and illuminates the liquid ambient the probe tip or is internally reflected in the probe when gas is present at the probe tip. If the fluid at the probe tip is oil, the light exits the probe, illuminates the oil, and causes the oil to fluoresce. Signal processing methods for determining holdup are disclosed. According the invention, a method for determining continuous phase velocities includes injecting a fluorescent dye into the fluid at a measured distance upstream of a probe. The time between injection and detection of the dye is used to calculate average continuous phase velocity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a condition of a fluid which circulates within a fluid circuit in which the optical characteristics of the fluid change dynamically due to the presence of physical contaminates in the fluid. An optical source is provided for generating light, and an optical detector is provided for receiving the light from the optical source. The fluid is positioned between the optical source and the optical detector. A signal analyzer is coupled to the optical detector. The signal analyzer monitors an output of the optical detector and determines the condition of the fluid in accordance with the output of the optical detector. Such fluid circuits are used in liquid type electrical transformers used for power distribution in the electrical power industry.

Abstract: A system for providing total fluid exchange for an automatic transmission which interconnects with the transmission's opened cooling circuit to deliver new, fresh fluid to the transmission while simultaneously extracting the spent, used fluid. The system provides a means of quick and random interconnection to an opened cooling circuit and means of identifying and aligning direction of flow in such cooling circuit. The system can accurately calibrate and regulate the rate that fresh fluid will flow into the transmission to be the same as that at which the used fluid is extracted, both of which are regulated to flow at the same rate that fluid normally circulates at in the cooling circuit when it is closed under similar operating conditions.