Voelker Sensors, Inc.

Other

Beckman Instruments, Inc.

Beckman Coulter, Inc.

Voelker Senors, Inc.

Paul J Voelker

Joe D Hedges

Melvin Dorin

Allen P Minton

Jeffrey J Marque

An embodiment of the present invention provides for a sensing element comprising a non-conductive housing with three chambers for detecting oil conductivity, additive depletion and oxidation, and water contamination, respectively. Through the monitoring of an array of oil sensors, an early warning of oil degradation due to oxidation is provided. The monitoring system further detects excess soot, water and other contaminants in the oil. The oil sensor array and related monitoring system decrease the likelihood of catastrophic engine failure through the early detection and warning of a decrease in oil quality thereby reducing vehicle owner outlays for servicing and disposal fees while further aiding in the satisfaction of environmental protection regulations.

Oil monitoring system

A stable self-forming density gradient is created by applying a centrifugal field to a solution that contains 27-33% Percoll (v/v) and 36-44% sugar (w/w). This density gradient is stable for several hours, allowing separation of low sedimentation particles, such as subcellular particles.

Percoll and sugar self-forming density gradient

Method and apparatus for determining deterioration of e.g. lubricating oil by measuring the electrical properties of a polymeric matrix (support) holding charged ionic groups. The dynamic range of the device is increased by creating a local polar environment formed around the charged groups of the polymeric matrix and by exploiting bead shrinkage with increasing degradation (or solvent polarity). Both approaches can be further employed in a single sensor by the use of multiple chambers containing a combination of the above. Also, contaminant detection is improved by detecting changes in amplitude and/or frequency of noise output. The sensor can also be used to detect a level of oil for instance in an engine oil pan.

Oil quality sensor for use in a motor

Method and apparatus for determining deterioration of e.g. lubricating oil by measuring the contraction of a polymeric matrix (support) holding charged ionic groups. The support contracts due to oil quality degradation. The expansion/contraction is detected e.g. electrically.

Oil quality sensor measuring bead volume

A method and apparatus for determining the quality of a lubricant by its solvating effect on an insoluble (resin) matrix to which charged groups have been covalently bound. The solvating effects are measured electronically as a variation in conductivity or capacitance of the resin matrix with respect to temperature. The apparatus includes a metal mesh housing containing e.g. milligram amounts of charged resin beads. A metal probe is fitted in the containing mesh and makes contact only with the resin beads. The entire device is immersed in the lubricant and the electrical conductivity or capacitance is measured from the probe to the mesh through the resin beads. Lubricant degradation is measured as e.g. a decrease in electrical conductivity through the resin beads with respect to an increase in the lubricant's solvent polarity.

Method and apparatus for fluid quality sensing

A method of controlled centrifugation including automatic determination (before or during a centrifugation run) of the time to reach 'completion' (within specified limits, depending on the criteria adopted) of a centrifugal separation. By simulation, the sample solute concentration distributions are determined and examined periodically. Centrifugation completion is deemed to have been reached based on certain predetermined criteria relating to spatial changes in the sample solute concentration distributions between successive examinations. The positions of the end points of the concentration distributions or band edges of the sample solutes (transitions from regions of sample solutes to regions of no sample solutes) are determined to facilitate resolving spatial changes of the concentration distributions. The position of an end point or band edge is characterized by a specific location along the centrifuge tube where an imaginary boundary exists at which no more than a specific % of the total mass of the solute in the band lies outside said boundary. In order to avoid premature termination of centrifugation before actual equilibrium has been reached as a result of excessive frequent checks of the motion of the concentration distribution because of relatively long time scale in sedimentation, an estimate is provided of a characteristic periodic interval between successive checks of sample solute concentration distributions.

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Fremont, CA, United States of America

Paul J Voelker