USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Paul L Howard

John F Reintjes

John E Tucker

Lawrence L Tankersley

Rita Mahon

Michael D Duncan

Thomas M McKenna

Thomas L McClelland

Martin Chamberlain

A method and system for separating multicomponent fluids into components having different buoyancies. A flow shaping member has a helical channel that imparts a helical motion to the fluid, and a separation chamber for separating the moving fluid into a helically moving heavier flow portion and a more buoyant portion along the central axis. A flow receiving member has a first collection horn with a mouth arranged to collect the higher buoyancy fluid and direct the fluid to an outlet. At least one other fluid passageway for carrying lower buoyancy fluid has an inlet surrounding of the collection horn, and directs the fluid to a separate outlet at an end of the separator. Additional collection horns can be arranged concentrically around the first collection horn to collect intermediate buoyancy flows. Cascaded fluid separators can concentrate the higher buoyancy fluid or the denser fluid.

Cascaded axial fluid separator methods and systems

A system and method for maintaining the face of an optical window at a desired axial position with respect to the face of a high pressure housing, suitable for use in a high pressure optical flow cell for a real time optical particle monitoring system. The window fits within a mounting hole that extends through the pressure housing. The window has a smaller-diameter cylindrical end portion extending to the high pressure side and an opposite larger-diameter cylindrical end portion, with a shoulder between the cylindrical end portions. A threaded retaining member axially compresses a gasket, o-ring, or other compliant sealing member between the shoulder of the optical window and a corresponding shoulder in the mounting hole, creating a static seal and maintaining the high pressure face of the optical window at a desired position over a wide range of temperatures and pressures.

High pressure housing and optical viewing system

A high pressure optical flow cell system suitable for use in a real time optical particle monitoring system. The system is modular, with at least two housings joined together with removable mechanical attachment devices. Inlet and outlet passageways introduce and remove high pressure fluid into a flow cavity located between adjacent housing faces. An o-ring or other compliant member seal is provided between the faces to prevent leaks of the high pressure fluid. At least one optical window is provided with a substantially planar face flush with the flow cavity surface. An optical assembly maintains the face of the optical window flush with the flow cavity surface over a wide range of temperatures and pressures. A system and method for maintaining the face of the optical window flush with the flow cavity surface over a wide range of temperatures and pressures.

Method and apparatus for stabilizing the thickness of an optical channel for extended pressure environments

A flow separation system for separating multicomponent fluids into components having different buoyancies. The system can deaerate fluids, and segregate solid particles into a channel for removal or real time particle analysis. The system can have, positioned axially within a housing, a cup shaped first member having an axial passageway and a concave inner surface, a second member with a surface that forms a gap with the first member, the gap directing the flow into at least one helical channel. The flow exits the helical channel into a separation chamber positioned between the second member and a third member and separates into spinning heavier flow portion and a more buoyant portion that is driven toward the central axis. The third member has central fluid passageway that collects the higher buoyancy fluid and least one other fluid passageway for carrying lower buoyancy fluid, with an inlet positioned radially outward of the central fluid passageway.

Method and apparatus for separation of components of differing buoyancy mixed into a flowing fluid

A method and system for particle entrained fluid sampling, capable of sampling a high pressure and/or high flow rate fluid flow system using a pressure intensifier for applying pressure or suction to the fluid sample in the fluid sampling system operatively connected to a sample extractor and a sample analysis device. The pressure intensifier for applying pressure or suction is adjustable to provide control over the sample flow in the fluid sampling system. The fluid sampling system of the present invention may be particularly applicable to monitoring the condition of hydraulic and lubrication systems.

Method and apparatus for fluid sampling

A method and apparatus for real-time monitoring of particulates in a fluid. The fluid is illuminated, and an image formed of the interior of the fluid. The image is then detected, and processed to determine the size, shape, etc. of particulates within the fluid.

Real time suspended particle monitor

An optical scheme for in situ identification of particulates in fluid such s engine oil, in which a portion of the fluid flow is tapped, fed via a conduit to a pair of optically transparent opposed plates, imaged through the plates, and the fluid returned to the main flow. Imaging is preferably done with a laser and photodetector array, and the output fed to a computer for image processing. Separation between the plates ensures that all the oil therebetween will be in the imaging system's near field. Preferably, the computer counts the number of particles in the oil, and classifies their shape, by scanning the image until it hits an object (i.e. hits an opaque pixel), using known chain code to trace the object's outline, determining the object's aspect ratio, and repeating for each object in the image. One embodiment uses a planar rotary member which is scalloped about its periphery. The scallops act to push oil continuously against an outer casing. The casing has a light source for directing coherent light at the rotary member, which is made reflective. As the rotary member moves in the casing, it carries fluid with it, and packs the fluid against the casing. The gap between the light source and the rotary member then constitutes the passageway which is imaged.

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Newmarket, NH, United States of America

Paul L Howard