Method and apparatus for aiding machine oil analysis
US5506501A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 28, 1994 |
| Grant date | Apr 9, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 28, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N33/2858
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus is provided to prepare samples of viscous industrial fluids such as machine lubrication oil for analysis for the presence of magnetically responsive particles and other suspended solids. A test sample of the fluid is held in non-magnetic vessel. This sample holding vessel is positioned in the cooperative pocket of a portable, handheld vibrator and stimulated by 120 to 150 Hz, vibration for a designated period of time, usually 30 to 60 seconds. A strong permanent magnet below the vibrating vessel pocket is oriented to emit a magnetic field on or within the sample simultaneously with the vibrations to induce rapid settlement of any magnetic particles toward the vessel bottom. Such vibration also assists and accelerates pure gravity settlement of non-magnetic particles. Entrained gas bubbles tend to rise more rapidly to the sample surface due to the vibrational stimulation. After a brief vibrational interval within the magnetic flux fields and while the sample vessel remains in the flux field, oil is poured from the vessel across a suitable planar sheet filter to segregate non-magnetic particles originally suspended in the sample. Still within the flux field, th…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.