The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 07, 2004
Filed:
Jan. 13, 2003
Louis L. Nagy, Warren, MI (US);
Warren Baxter Nicholson, El Paso, TX (US);
Delphi Technologies, Inc., Troy, MI (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for detecting an accumulation of particles with a medium such as the soot content in diesel engine oil including generating a first waveform at a first frequency and a first voltage level to produce a standing wave having a voltage null point where at least a portion of the standing wave is passed within a portion of the oil. Generating a second waveform at a second frequency and a second voltage level to place a signal associated with a second voltage null point at a detection location for determining the signal's null point voltage level. The percentage soot content of the oil may be determined by taking the ratio of the difference between the first voltage and the second voltage over the null point voltage at the detection point. This ratio is indicative of the percentage soot content. The first and second waveforms may be produced by a variable frequency microwave source that is coupled with a coaxial cable have a probe affixed to its distal end for immersion in the oil. The probe may include a plurality of parallel wires affixed to the cable at one end with a conductive shorting plate at the other end. A processor may be configured for controlling the circuit of the apparatus and calculating the percentage soot content.