Fluid contaminant sensor

Abstract

The invention provides an improvement in apparatus ( ) for testing the level of contaminants in a fluid during a test period. The apparatus has a source of pressurized fluid (P ) to be tested; a fluid sump (R); and a test passage ( ) which is substantially free of occluding contaminants at the beginning of the test period and which is adapted to be supplied with a flow of fluid from the source. The passage is so configured and arranged as to be progressively occluded by contaminants in the fluid flow. The apparatus also includes a device ( ) defining a variable-volume chamber ( ). The volume of said chamber is variable between a minimum value and a maximum value. The improvement comprises: a valve ( ) operatively arranged to direct fluid that has passed through the test passage to the chamber when it is desired to expand the volume of the chamber, and arranged to direct fluid that has passed through the test passage to the sump and to permit fluid in said chamber to flow to the sump when it is desired to contract the volume of said chamber; a return mechanism ( ) for selectively urging the chamber to contract; a calibrated sensor ( ) for measuring the volume of the chamber; a controller ( ) for operating the valve and return mechanism to cause the chamber to repeatedly expand and contract cyclically during said test period; and timer ( ) for measuring the time required for the fluid flow through the test passage to cause the chamber to increase from a first volume to a second volume. The flow through the test passage during each of the successive cycles of the chamber may be calculated.