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:
May. 16, 2006
Filed:
Sep. 30, 2002
Robert E. Kauffman, Centerville, OH (US);
James D. Wolf, Kettering, OH (US);
Robert E. Kauffman, Centerville, OH (US);
James D. Wolf, Kettering, OH (US);
University of Dayton, Dayton, OH (US);
Abstract
The present invention is a compact apparatus and method that provides an efficient manner for monitoring the condition and level of a functional fluid directly in operating equipment. A sensor device is provided that includes a plurality of liquid sensors and a plurality of vapor sensors that when used in conjunction with one another at different temperatures, can provide a thorough evaluation of the oxidative degradation, liquid contamination and solid contamination of the fluid to detect the end of the useful life of the fluid. By providing liquid sensors and vapor sensors on the same device, the present invention allows for a compact, efficient, and economically feasible manner to monitor the condition of fluid as well as detecting abnormal operating conditions prior to further component damage and eventual equipment failure.