Lubricant Testing Patents (Class 73/53.05)
  • Patent number: 11850739
    Abstract: A deterioration degree of a robot body is precisely evaluated. A robot control device 300 includes: a drive control unit 309 controlling operation of a robot body 200; a detection unit 310 detecting a signal used for analysis of a feature amount quantitatively indicating a deterioration degree of the robot body 200 deteriorated over time as the robot body 200 is operated; a determination unit 304 determining whether a data section of the signal includes a constant speed section equal to or greater than a given section; a normalization unit 305 normalizing a signal in a non-constant speed section when the data section of the signal does not include the constant speed section equal to or greater than the given section; an analysis unit 307 analyzing the feature amount; and an estimation unit 308 estimating a remaining life of the robot body 200 based on the feature amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Teruyuki Shiraki, Maki Endo, Yasumoto Mori
  • Patent number: 11567017
    Abstract: The apparatus for measuring performance of a suspension for cooling a computer processing unit is a measurement and testing tool allowing for the fabrication of new suspensions, and measuring and testing their short-term and long-term thermal performance in real time on any liquid-cooled computer processing unit. The suspension is prepared in a sample receiving reservoir and pumped across the unit, and then input to an air-cooled heat exchanger for recirculation back to the sample receiving reservoir. Temperatures of the working fluid are measured between the sample receiving reservoir and the computer processing unit, between the unit and the heat exchanger, and after output from the heat exchanger. Pressure differentials of the working fluid is measured across the computer processing unit and across the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: KUWAIT INSTITUTE FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
    Inventors: Naser Alsayegh, Ali Alsayegh
  • Patent number: 11251435
    Abstract: This undercoat foil for an energy storage device electrode comprises a collector base plate, and an undercoat layer formed on at least one surface of the collector base plate, the undercoat layer containing carbon nanotubes, and the coating amount per collector base plate surface being 0.1 g/m2 or less. Since this undercoat foil can be effectively welded by ultrasound, the use thereof allows a low-resistance energy storage device and a simple and effective production method therefor to be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: NISSAN CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuki Shibano, Tatsuya Hatanaka, Takuji Yoshimoto
  • Patent number: 11215529
    Abstract: A method for aligning cycles of an engine conditioning monitoring system includes: receiving data corresponding to a TDC angle of an engine from a crank angle sensor; receiving data from one or more accelerometers for each cylinder of the engine, the received data including vibration amplitude data; analyzing vibration amplitude data from the one or more accelerometers in relation to data corresponding to the TDC angle of the engine; characterizing vibration data using segmental band analysis, wherein segmental bands of the segmental band analysis correspond to valve closure angles of the engine; identify cylinders for which analyzed vibration amplitude data in relation to the TDC angle of the engine are out of phase; and align vibration amplitude data by shifting analyzed vibration amplitude data relative to the TDC angle of the engine such that vibration amplitude data is aligned with the TDC angle of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Inventors: Brian F. Howard, Mary Margaret Chapman, Michael W. Jones, Patrick Juneji Sullivan, Jeffrey Dylan Abel, Richard Paul Beam
  • Patent number: 11016076
    Abstract: There is described herein methods and systems relating to the use of the interaction of different materials to perform early detection of component failure. In particular, when the debris in a fluid sample comes from more than one source, a “level of interaction” is determined in order to monitor the degradation of the parts or components associated with the debris, as a function of the composition of the particles found in the fluid sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Maurice Jean, Daniel Meilleur
  • Patent number: 10871476
    Abstract: Methods and systems for failure prediction using analysis of oil or other lubricant. Raw data about feature(s) of each of a plurality of particles filtered from a fluid sample are used to categorize each particle into one of a plurality of categories, each category being defined by one or more of: chemical composition, size and morphology. Particle physical characteristics in each category are quantified to obtain a set of categorized data. The categorized data are compared with historical data. Results of the comparing are evaluated to generate a prediction of any failure or mechanism of failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Maurice Jean, Daniel Meilleur
  • Patent number: 10782280
    Abstract: There is described herein methods and systems for evaluating a condition of an engine. Fluid sample data obtained from an engine is received and weights are assigned to different data sets of the fluid sample data. The data sets correspond to one or more classes of materials into which particles of the fluid sample are sorted. A characterizing sample signature of the engine is generated based on the data sets. The sample signature is compared to a plurality of reference signatures obtained from reference engines belonging to a common family with the engine. A selection is made from the reference engines for those having a difference between a corresponding signature and the sample signature below a threshold. Historical engine data of the selected reference engines is output as a basis for evaluating the condition of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Maurice Jean
  • Patent number: 10761238
    Abstract: A downhole optical chemical compound monitoring device (30) arranged to be integrated in a mandrel (20) of a drilling system, for monitoring a chemical compound in a drilling fluid (14B) circulated through a well (7, 8), the downhole optical chemical compound monitoring device (30) comprising: an analysis cell part (31) comprising an open cavity (40, 140) into which the drilling fluid (14B) is free to flow; a first optical probe (41A, 141A) coupled to a light source (157) and arranged to transmit a light energy into the open cavity (40, 140); a second optical probe (41B, 141B) coupled to a detector (158) and arranged to produce in use a signal resulting from an interaction of the drilling fluid (14B) present in the open cavity (40, 140) with said light energy, indicative of a quantity of chemical compound present in the drilling fluid (14B); each of said optical probes is mounted through a wall (38A, 38B, 138A, 138B) of the analysis cell part (31) in a sealed manner and has a tip (45A, 45B), the tip being
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: OPENFIELD SA
    Inventors: Eric Donzier, Linda Abbassi, Emmanuel Tavernier
  • Patent number: 10761078
    Abstract: A grease testing device for testing oil separation from a grease sample includes a container defining a grease compartment for holding the grease sample. A grease shearer is at least partially positioned in the grease compartment and moves in the grease compartment to shear the grease sample in the grease compartment. A motor is operatively connected to the grease shearer to move the grease shearer in the grease compartment to shear the grease sample. A drain is arranged with respect to the grease compartment to receive oil separated from the grease sample from the grease compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Lincoln Industrial Corporation
    Inventor: Paul G. Conley
  • Patent number: 10732190
    Abstract: Systems and methods for predicting a condition of an engine are described herein. A fluid sample having particles suspended therein is received from the engine. A plurality of particles are extracted from the fluid sample. A sample profile of the plurality of particles extracted from the fluid sample is obtained. A reference profile of particles of a reference fluid sample from a reference engine is obtained. The reference profile and the sample profile having particles identified based on size, aspect ratio and chemical composition. A correlation index between the sample profile and the reference profile is determined based on size and aspect ratio of the particles of the sample profile and the reference profile. A prediction that the engine has a known condition associated with the reference engine is generated from the correlation index. An output indicating the condition of the engine is generating based on the prediction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Maurice Jean, Frederic Busnel
  • Patent number: 10627376
    Abstract: Methods and systems for failure prediction using analysis of oil or other lubricant. Raw data about feature(s) of each of a plurality of particles filtered from a fluid sample are used to categorize each particle into one of a plurality of categories, each category being defined by one or more of: chemical composition, size and morphology. Particle physical characteristics in each category are quantified to obtain a set of categorized data. The categorized data are compared with historical data. Results of the comparing are evaluated to generate a prediction of any failure or mechanism of failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Maurice Jean, Daniel Meilleur
  • Patent number: 10054578
    Abstract: A fuel property sensor including a substrate, a first lead wire, a second lead wire, a wiring member, and a determiner. The substrate is disposed in such a position as to be in contact with the fuel. The first lead wire is connected to the substrate. The second lead wire is connected to the substrate. The second lead wire is spaced from the first lead wire. The wiring member is provided on the substrate. The wiring member connects the first lead wire and the second lead wire. The wiring member is configured to electrically disconnect the first lead wire and the second lead wire from each other by reaction with impurities contained in the fuel. The determiner is configured to determine whether the first lead wire and the second lead wire are electrically connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masaki Ikeya
  • Patent number: 9856970
    Abstract: A belt drive for a motor vehicle having at least two toothed pulleys (1) which are spaced apart from one another and having a toothed belt which wraps around them, wherein a positively locking connection is formed between a toothing system of the wraparound means and a toothing system (2) of the toothed pulleys (1), which positively locking connection is of low-friction configuration by an anti-friction agent which acts between the toothing systems is provided. In order for it to be possible to configure a toothed belt inexpensively and without an anti-friction agent, the anti-friction agent is formed in the form of a lubricant-varnish layer (5) which is applied at least to a toothing system (2) of a toothed pulley (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rainer Pflug, Juergen Windrich, Helmut Schillinger
  • Patent number: 9829440
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, and sample vessel for recombining a sample fluid. The sample fluid is received in a sample vessel. Sample parameters are recreated in the sample vessel. The sample fluid is agitated within the sample vessel. Optical measurements of the sample fluid are performed within the sample vessel utilizing one or more optical sensors. A determination is made whether recombination is complete in response to the optical measurements of the sample fluid performed by the one or more optical sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Megan Renee Pearl, William Cecil Pearl, Jr., Juliana Midori Matsushita
  • Patent number: 9724995
    Abstract: In a diagnostic device and a diagnostic method for a motor unit of an electric vehicle, an oil degradation/others detection unit is provided which is configured to detect at least any one detection item of a contamination degree, a degradation degree, and an oil amount of an oil used for cooling a motor unit or a reduction gear unit during a non-traveling period when the vehicle is powered on. An abnormalities-time control unit is provided which is configured to send notice of abnormalities of an oil supply system or not permit start of rotation of the motor unit when a detection value detected by the oil degradation/others detection unit is out of a setting range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takayoshi Ozaki
  • Patent number: 9556730
    Abstract: A method for testing a loss control material, the method including filling a testing environment in a testing system with a first fluid, injecting a loss control material in a second fluid into the testing environment from a first end of the testing system, thereby displacing the first fluid across the testing environment to a second end of the testing system, and monitoring a formation of a barrier created by the loss control material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Aaron Blue, Quanxin Guo
  • Patent number: 9280856
    Abstract: A method generates a useful life indication of a lubricating fluid in an engine. Initially, a quantity of use of an engine and a time of use of the engine are measured. A useful life indication of a lubricating fluid in the engine is generated based upon a first relationship between the quantity of use of an engine and the time of use of the engine when an operating characteristic is at or below a predetermined amount, such as the average speed of a vehicle containing the engine. The useful life indication of the lubricating fluid in the engine is generated based upon a second relationship between the quantity of use of an engine and the time of use of the engine when the operating characteristic is above the predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Chen, Christopher Oberski, Peter M. Lyon
  • Patent number: 9244054
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically evaluating the useful life of an engine oil based on data corresponding to a plurality of preselected key oil properties. The evaluation includes determining, in connection with each of the pre-selected key oil properties, a first current measured oil property value, a first reference oil property value, a first deterioration-limit value, and a first weighting factor. The evaluation also includes determining a single index value, indicating a state of deterioration of the engine oil, in a calculation using each of the values and factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Eric W. Schneider, Spyros Tseregounis, Matthew J. Snider, Michael Seemann
  • Patent number: 9151464
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a light source unit having at least one LED sub light source unit. Each LED sub light source unit includes three types of LEDs: phosphor converted green LED, orange-red LED with a wavelength of 614 nm-622 nm, and blue LED with a wavelength of 460 nm-476 nm. Light generated by the three types of LEDs is mixed to generate white light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: OSRAM GmbH
    Inventors: Nadir Farchtchian, Al Ma, Nico Morgenbrod
  • Patent number: 9133827
    Abstract: A method for lubricating at least one blade pitch bearing of a wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine includes a rotor hub with a number of rotor blades, with each rotor blade being supported to the rotor hub by at least one blade pitch bearing. At least one rotor blade is pitchable and a rotor blade pitch control device adapted to control pitching of the at least one rotor blade. The state of lubrication of at least one blade pitch bearing by a lubrication detection device generating at least one lubrication information signal indicating a degree of lubrication of the at least one blade pitch bearing by measuring the electrical capacitance and/or resistance of the at least one blade pitch bearing. A rotor blade lubricating device is actuated to perform at least one action to lubricate the at least one blade pitch bearing, if the lubrication information signal indicates that the at least one blade pitch bearing is not sufficiently lubricated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Oto Bauer, Thomas Esbensen
  • Patent number: 9086399
    Abstract: Diagnostic system including a sensor device with a sensor for generating signals corresponding to a first operational condition, a control device with a timer and function for performance of measurements, and a signal transmission device. The system includes a device for determination of a second operational condition of the system component and configured where the sensor value of the signal transmission device corresponding to the first operational condition is furnished when the sensor value corresponding to a second operational condition of the transmission mechanism is higher or lower than a comparative value, and housing component of a lubricant container and in particular closure device for sealing an opening of such a housing component from a lubricant which is present in the operational use thereof in an internal space thereof, having arranged therein: at least one sensor device comprising at least one sensor for determining the water content in the lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Björn Dorr, Franz Nuscheler, Sumit Paul
  • Publication number: 20150135806
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of estimating, for a petroleum feedstock, values representative of the sulfur and carbon distributions in atmospheric and vacuum distillation residues, and a value representative of the sulfur content in coke. According to the method, the following stages are carried out: from a feedstock sample, measuring at least the Rock-Eval parameters S2b, SulfS2b, RC, Sulfoxy using a Rock-Eval device comprising a sulfur measurement module, deducing from the measurements of these Rock-Eval parameters the values of the sulfur and carbon distributions (SPHF, SCOKE, CPHF, CCOKE) in the distillation residues, and a sulfur content in relation to the carbon content in the coke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Anne HOFF, Violaine LAMOUREUX-VAR, Trygve MEYER, Daniel PILLOT
  • Patent number: 9020766
    Abstract: This invention encompasses embodiments for multi-modal integrated simultaneous measurement of various aspects of fluids contained in circulating systems such as automotive reciprocating engines and vehicle transmissions. These circulating systems perform constant internal lubrication, and heat and contaminant removal to protect the internal moving parts from the inherent friction and damage in normal operation. Most commonly this is achieved with fluids based on hydrocarbon and/or related synthetics, which, over time, can lose their protective properties, and vary in their performance or breakdown/decay due to internal and external events. Several components within the lubricant fluid can be measured and can provide insight into the efficacy of the system to perform its designed mission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Mastinc.
    Inventors: Brian Von Herzen, Steven Van Fleet
  • Patent number: 9007073
    Abstract: Provided are a method of measuring a degree of degradation of a lubricating oil and a measuring device therefor, in which (a) acidity is measured through use of an ISFET of hydrogen ion sensitive type and (b) dielectric constants or electrostatic capacitances at two or more different frequencies are obtained, to thereby determine a degradation state of the lubricating oil based on the acidity and a plurality of values of the dielectric constants or the electrostatic capacitances. Accordingly, the degree of degradation of the lubricating oil can be measured easily and precisely and a degradation mechanism of the lubricating oil can be predicted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tadashi Katafuchi
  • Publication number: 20150082872
    Abstract: This invention encompasses embodiments for multi-modal integrated simultaneous measurement of various aspects of fluids contained in circulating systems such as automotive reciprocating engines and vehicle transmissions. These circulating systems perform constant internal lubrication, and heat and contaminant removal to protect the internal moving parts from the inherent friction and damage in normal operation. Most commonly this is achieved with fluids based on hydrocarbon and/or related synthetics, which, over time, can lose their protective properties, and vary in their performance or breakdown/decay due to internal and external events. Several components within the lubricant fluid can be measured and can provide insight into the efficacy of the system to perform its designed mission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Brian Von Herzen, Steven Van Fleet
  • Publication number: 20150082871
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring engine oil quality is disclosed. The system and method include: a plurality of sensors detecting oil quality data; and a processor in communication with the plurality of sensors to receive the oil quality data and adapted to execute a transfer function to output qualitative and quantitative measurements with respect to contamination of the oil based upon the oil quality data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Cummins Inc.
    Inventor: Yuhui ZHA
  • Publication number: 20150068289
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for monitoring lubricant of an engine. The system for monitoring lubricant of an engine comprises: a lubricant sensor, which measures lubricant quantity of the engine; a data acquisition unit, which collects the lubricant quantity of the engine from the lubricant sensor at a fixed time interval; and a message generation unit, which generates lubricant quantity monitoring messages according to the lubricant quantity of the engine collected by the data acquisition unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Dechao Zhong, Zhuping Gu, Huifeng Ding, Jiaju Wu, Lei Huang, Bingzheng Wang, Hongtao Ma, Lei Chen, Yi Zhu
  • Publication number: 20150047419
    Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes determining a current level of a plurality of lubricant parameters present in a portion of lubricant, comparing the current level of each of the plurality of lubricant parameters to a threshold value corresponding to each of the plurality of lubricant parameters, analyzing a priority of each of the lubricant parameters, and determining a health status of the lubricant in response to the comparing and the analyzing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Ming Cao, David Cowley, Mike Lukavsky
  • Publication number: 20150041653
    Abstract: An analysing arrangement for analysing a composition of a fluid, such as oil mist of an engine, e.g. a gas turbine is provided. The analysing arrangement includes a breather pipe coupleable to the gas turbine such that at least a part of the fluid is flowing through the breather pipe, a first collecting device for collecting a first sample of the fluid, wherein the first collecting device is configured for providing a first composition analysis of the first sample and a second collecting device for collecting a second sample of the fluid, wherein the second collecting device is configured for providing a second composition analysis of the second sample. The first collecting device and the second collecting device are arranged inside the breather pipe such that the first collecting device and the second collecting device are exposed to a common flow characteristic of the fluid inside the breather pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Roger Brown, Robert Pearce
  • Patent number: 8924166
    Abstract: This invention encompasses embodiments for multi-modal integrated simultaneous measurement of various aspects of fluids contained in circulating systems such as automotive reciprocating engines and vehicle transmissions. These circulating systems perform constant internal lubrication, and heat and contaminant removal to protect the internal moving parts from the inherent friction and damage in normal operation. Most commonly this is achieved with fluids based on hydrocarbon and/or related synthetics, which, over time, can lose their protective properties, and vary in their performance or breakdown/decay due to internal and external events. Several components within the lubricant fluid can be measured and can provide insight into the efficacy of the system to perform its designed mission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: MASTINC
    Inventors: Brian Von Herzen, Steven Van Fleet
  • Publication number: 20140318222
    Abstract: This invention is a method to prevent excessive maintenance to vehicle lubricating system based on detection, to overcome the defect in maintenance procedure. Technical measures are as follows: it is a method to prevent excessive maintenance to vehicle lubricating system based on detection, with oil detection module 1 and host controller 4. Its working principle is to detect the aging degree of lube before maintenance, and decide whether to change the lube according to detection result. It will help to prevent excessive maintenance, reduce maintenance cost for car owners, and decrease the waste of resource. Oil detection module 1 includes oil chamber sensor 2, capacitance detection chip 3 etc. Host controller 4 is connected to oil detection module 1 by cables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: MIT AUTOMOBILE SERVICE COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Zhixin XIAO, Qin WEI, Zhiliang WEI, Qinglu CUI
  • Publication number: 20140318223
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention include an apparatus for monitoring a lubrication oil in a turbomachine oil reservoir, the apparatus having: a housing section including: a casing; a base plate and a back support coupled with the casing; an oil intake conduit extending through the base plate, the oil intake conduit for fluidly connecting with the turbomachine oil reservoir; a pump fluidly connected with the oil intake conduit; an oil analyzer fluidly connected with the pump; and a drain conduit fluidly connected with the oil analyzer and extending through the base plate; and a mount coupled with the housing section, the mount for coupling with the turbomachine oil reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Keegan Saunders O'Donnell, Matthew Paul Fitzpatrick, Joseph Thomas Lisowski
  • Publication number: 20140266065
    Abstract: This invention encompasses embodiments for multi-modal integrated simultaneous measurement of various aspects of fluids contained in circulating systems such as automotive reciprocating engines and vehicle transmissions. These circulating systems perform constant internal lubrication, and heat and contaminant removal to protect the internal moving parts from the inherent friction and damage in normal operation. Most commonly this is achieved with fluids based on hydrocarbon and/or related synthetics, which, over time, can lose their protective properties, and vary in their performance or breakdown/decay due to internal and external events. Several components within the lubricant fluid can be measured and can provide insight into the efficacy of the system to perform its designed mission. The mass and level of the fluid may also be monitored on an on-going basis. Described herein is a real-time, simultaneous, integrated, multi-modal sensor system for early warning notification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: MASTINC
    Inventor: MASTINC
  • Publication number: 20140188407
    Abstract: This invention encompasses embodiments for multi-modal integrated simultaneous measurement of various aspects of fluids contained in circulating systems such as automotive reciprocating engines and vehicle transmissions. These circulating systems perform constant internal lubrication, and heat and contaminant removal to protect the internal moving parts from the inherent friction and damage in normal operation. Most commonly this is achieved with fluids based on hydrocarbon and/or related synthetics, which, over time, can lose their protective properties, and vary in their performance or breakdown/decay due to internal and external events. Several components within the lubricant fluid can be measured and can provide insight into the efficacy of the system to perform its designed mission. Described herein is a real-time, simultaneous, integrated, multi-modal sensor system for early warning notification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: MASTINC
    Inventors: Brian VON HERZEN, Steven Van Fleet
  • Patent number: 8752415
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of measuring engine oil deterioration, including measuring the first absorbance of engine oil using near infrared at a wavelength of 1000 nm or more, measuring the second absorbance of the engine oil during use using near infrared at the wavelength, and comparing the first absorbance and the second absorbance of the engine oil, so that the engine oil may be determined to be in a state of deterioration when the second absorbance may be at least 1.5 times the first absorbance, and to a system for measuring engine oil deterioration therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology
    Inventors: Won Gyu Kim, Ki Hwan Oh, Keun Woo Chung, Young-Wun Kim
  • Patent number: 8746046
    Abstract: A method for the estimation of oil viscosity in an internal combustion engine, the engine subjected to fuel post injections to activate Particulate Filter regeneration processes and to fuel hydrocarbons (HC) evaporation events affecting said oil viscosity. The method includes, but is not limited to determining if the particulate filter is subjected to a regeneration process and, in the affirmative case, calculating an oil viscosity decrease during said Particulate Filter regeneration process as a function of an oil dilution rate, and calculating an oil viscosity increase after said regeneration process as a function of an Hydrocarbon (HC) evaporation rate and of a time during which fuel Hydrocarbon evaporation takes place, where said evaporation time is determined as a function of a time spent in evaporating fuel Hydrocarbon from engine oil in a previous fuel hydrocarbons evaporation event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Igor Zanetti, Stefano Cassani
  • Patent number: 8748185
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a test medium for the rapid analysis of engine oils in internal combustion engines, having a weight per unit area of 50.0 to 200.0 g/m2, comprising, based on the total weight of the test medium, 20.0% by weight to 98.0% by weight of cotton pulp, 0.0% by weight to 50.0% by weight of cellulose and 0.1% by weight to 50.0% by weight of silicic acid and/or at least one silicate salt. The present invention also relates to a method for the rapid analysis of engine oils in internal combustion engines, in which a drop of an engine oil to be analyzed is applied to the test medium according to the invention and is allowed to penetrate into the test medium, and the text result is then preferably compared with at least one reference image in order to determine the condition of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventor: Gert Horstmeyer
  • Publication number: 20140156241
    Abstract: Method(s) and a system for predicting the refining characteristics of an oil sample are described. The method of predicting the refining characteristics, such as distillate yield profile, processability, product quality or refinery processing cost, may include development of a prediction model based on regression analysis. The method may further include determining the physical properties of the oil sample and predicting the refining characteristics based on the developed prediction model. The determination of the physical properties of the oil sample includes determining at least one of Conradson Carbon Residue (CCR) content, Ramsbottom Carbon Residue (RCR) and Micro Carbon Residue (MCR).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: BHARAT PETROLEUM CORPORATION LTD.
    Inventors: Rajeev Kumar, Mohammad Muzaffar Ahsan, Prashant Udaysinh Parihar, Ravi Kumar Voolapalli
  • Publication number: 20140130579
    Abstract: A method for measuring fuel contamination in oil that uses a material in contact with oil whereby fuel intrusion into the oil will change the electrical, mechanical, and/or chemical properties of the material as compared to the same electrical, mechanical, and/or chemical properties of the material when in contact only with mineral or synthetic oil only.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Voelker Sensors, Inc.
    Inventor: Joe D. Hedges
  • Patent number: 8710973
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining remaining oil life prior to an oil change in an internal combustion engine that uses a body of oil. The method includes transferring the body of oil to the engine and determining a volume of the transferred body of oil. The method also includes determining quality of the transferred body of oil and determining the remaining oil life based on the determined quality and volume of the body of oil. The method additionally includes activating an oil change indicator when the remaining oil life reaches a predetermined level. A system for determining a number of engine revolutions permitted on a volume of oil is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Eric W. Schneider, Matthew J. Snider, Robert M. Olree, Eric R. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20140109656
    Abstract: An apparatus for measurement of liquid oil products has a local control unit; a grounding element; an electric pump aggregate; a filter; a gas separator; an electromagnetically operated valve; an indication and control unit; a sensor for sensing temperature of liquid oil product; a mass flow meter located between an outlet of the gas separator and an input of the electromagnetically operated valve and connected with the indication and control block; and a device for determining a water quantity in the oil product connected with the indication and control block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: ARGOSY TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Yury Tronik, Peter Mouler, Andrei Kaloshin
  • Patent number: 8695405
    Abstract: A bearing including a first and a second bearing element that are movable relative to one another, a lubricant arranged between the first and the second bearing element for reducing the friction between the first and the second bearing element, at least one transmitter for exciting acoustic waves in the first or the second bearing element, the transmitter being arranged on the first or the second bearing element; at least one receiver for receiving acoustic waves evoked by the transmitter, the receiver being arranged on the first or the second bearing element, wherein information related to properties of the lubricant can be determined using a signal generated by the receiver upon receipt of acoustic waves evoked by the transmitter. The invention is also related to a method for determining properties of a lubricant in a bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Bestsens AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Lindner, Martin Schmitt, Josefine Schlemmer, Sandro Krempel, Hendrik Faustmann, Christoph Brueckner
  • Publication number: 20140083172
    Abstract: In a method for determining an ageing state of lubricant which comes into contact with a metallic surface in a machine to be lubricated, a metal ion content or a change over time of a metal ion content in the lubricant is determined. The metal ion content can be determined by a measuring sensor which is disposed in the machine or disposed in a lubricant line connected to the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Joachim Rohde
  • Patent number: 8664966
    Abstract: A method of evaluation a degree of degradation of a lubricating oil, comprising: using a device for evaluating a degree of degradation of a lubricating oil, the device comprising a pH-ISFET which is free from a reference electrode; and measuring a current flowing between a drain and a source of the pH-ISFET with a first circuit wherein a constant voltage is applied between the drain and the source, or measuring a voltage between a drain and a source with a second circuit wherein a constant current is caused to flow between the drain and the source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tadashi Katafuchi
  • Patent number: 8640528
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of determining a lubrication parameter indicative of a lubrication condition of an oil-lubricated rolling element bearing. The method comprises measuring high-frequency structure-borne acoustic emissions generated by asperity contact between rolling contact surfaces of the bearing, to provide a measured signal. The emitted acoustic energy is then extracted from the measured signal and the lubrication parameter is determined from the acoustic energy. The determination is made on the basis of a power-law relation between acoustic energy and the lubrication parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Ali Ganji, Jozef Johannes Holsnijders
  • Publication number: 20140007657
    Abstract: In order to provide a status monitoring system for accurately determining the contaminant water concentration in a lubricant oil used in a rolling device, the provision is made of a contaminant water concentration monitoring device (6) configured to monitor the contaminant water concentration in the lubricant oil (5). The contaminant water concentration monitoring device (6) includes an electrostatic capacitance detector (7) and an oil temperature measuring instrument (8), which are configured to detect the electrostatic capacitance and the oil temperature of the lubricant oil (5), respectively, and a water concentration calculation section (9) configured to detect the contaminant water concentration from the detected electrostatic capacitance and oil temperature in accordance with a predetermined rule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Yukio Matsubara, Noriaki Miwa, Takakazu Kitagawa, Tomoya Sakaguchi, Masayuki Kawakita, Hisamitsu Maeda
  • Patent number: 8626422
    Abstract: An electronic oil pump has at least one lubricant inlet, at least one lubricant outlet, at least one piston being movable between a full stroke position and a fully retracted position, an electrical actuator operatively connected to the at least one piston, a first electrical lead connected to a first element of the pump for electrically connecting the first element to an electronic control unit (ECU), and a second electrical lead connected to a second element of the pump for electrically connecting the second element to the ECU. When the at least one piston is in the full stroke position, an electrical path between the first and second electrical leads is closed. When the at least one piston is in a position other than the full stroke position, the electrical path is opened. A method of controlling an engine having the oil pump is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Yvon Bedard, Benoit Pion
  • Patent number: 8614588
    Abstract: Fuel contamination in oil is measured by using a sensor in contact with oil whereby fuel intrusion into the oil will change the electrical, mechanical, and/or chemical properties of the material as compared to the same electrical, mechanical, and/or chemical properties of the material when in contact only with mineral or synthetic oil only. The oil quality sensor provides real-time feedback so that an oil monitoring system can actively remove contaminates and/or increase an additive package as necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Voelker Sensors, Inc.
    Inventor: Joe Hedges
  • Patent number: 8593162
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a fuel-aspect sensor having higher detection accuracy. A first electrode is inserted into a hole formed in a first housing member. A cylindrical second electrode is inserted into and firmly fixed to the first electrode by a cylindrical insulating member. A first elastic member, for example, made of rubber, is arranged between the first electrode and a second housing member. The first electrode has a large-diameter portion, which is biased by the first elastic member toward a sealing surface formed on an inner wall of the hole, so as to fluid-tightly seal a space between the first electrode and the second housing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakamura, Akikazu Uchida
  • Publication number: 20130304312
    Abstract: Diagnostic system including a sensor device with a sensor for generating signals corresponding to a first operational condition, a control device with a timer and function for performance of measurements, and a signal transmission device. The system includes a device for determination of a second operational condition of the system component and configured where the sensor value of the signal transmission device corresponding to the first operational condition is furnished when the sensor value corresponding to a second operational condition of the transmission mechanism is higher or lower than a comparative value, and housing component of a lubricant container and in particular closure device for sealing an opening of such a housing component from a lubricant which is present in the operational use thereof in an internal space thereof, having arranged therein: at least one sensor device comprising at least one sensor for determining the water content in the lubricant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventor: Airbus Operations GmbH