Detection of wear-particles and other impurities in industrial or other fluids
US6255954A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 24, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jul 3, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 24, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N33/2858
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention includes a method of detecting contamination in a fluid sample includes bringing a fluid sample into contact with a pair of spaced apart electrodes and applying a plurality of voltages across the electrodes, wherein the plurality of voltages vary in magnitude between a first and second voltage level. The current is then measured between the electrodes at the plurality of voltages and a contamination level is determined using the measured currents. The present invention also includes a system for determining a particulate contamination level in a fluid sample. The system includes a sensor including a pair of spaced apart electrodes, wherein the fluid sample is brought into contact with the electrodes for detection of the level of particulate contamination therein, and a voltage application means for applying a voltage across the spaced apart electrodes. The system also further includes a current sensor coupled to one of the electrodes. The current sensor measures a current magnitude between the electrodes and the current magnitude is associated with the particulate contamination level in the fluid sample.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.