Device and method for monitoring the particle contamination in flowing hydraulic fluids

US8184290B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• AIRBUS OPERATIONS SAS · FR

Inventors

• Delphine Hertens · Toulouse, FR
• Gerhard Mueller · Freilassing, DE
• Wolfgang Legner · Höhenkirchen-Siegertsbrunn, DE
• Wilhelm Ficker · Straubing, DE
• Thomas Ziemann · Inning am Holz, DE
• Reinhard Reischl · Großhelfendorf, DE
• Marius Bebesel · Augsburg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 18, 2006
• Grant date: May 22, 2012
• Expiry date: Jun 3, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N15/0205
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A device for monitoring particle contamination in flowing hydraulic fluids includes a mechanism for particle counting and particle sizing. Further, a method for monitoring particle contamination in flowing hydraulic fluids: determines fluid flow velocity; counts particles in the hydraulic fluid passing the light barrier for a fixed period of time; and obtains particle size distribution by using a range of different trigger levels. The monitoring device is insertable into an A/C hydraulic system to enable an online-monitoring of degradation of fluid quality during normal flight operations or on the ground. The device and method help lower costs for A/C maintenance and increase A/C availability since necessary service actions can be scheduled strategically.