There is described herein methods and systems for detecting of metallic chips in a fluid system of an aircraft engine. A resistance value is measured across a magnetic chip detector mounted to a fluid system of the aircraft engine. The resistance value is transmitted to an engine computer of the aircraft engine. In the engine computer, The resistance value is compared to a first threshold and a first warning indicative of a chip in the fluid is issued when the resistance value exceeds the first threshold.

There is disclosed a lubricant debris monitoring system for a gas turbine engine. The system includes a magnetic chip collector having electrodes defining a gap therebetween configured to be filled with lubricant. The magnetic chip collector generates a magnetic field for attracting the debris. The system further includes a processor configured to be connected to a power source and for performing an analysis of an signal between the electrodes. The processor stores occurrences of at least one characteristic of the signal exceeding a respective threshold. The system further has a communication system communicatively connected to the processor and configured for transmitting the analysis of the signal.

A method for monitoring a fluid system for lubricating a mechanical system. The fluid system comprises a spraying circuit connected to a main fluid circuit and to a back-up fluid circuit. The back-up fluid circuit comprises a back-up check valve closed in a nominal operating mode. The method comprises a monitoring phase comprising the generation of a first alert in the presence of the detection of a malfunction making the main fluid circuit inoperative and the back-up check valve in an open state and the generation of a second alert different from the first alert in the presence a malfunction and the back-up check valve in a closed state.

A method for monitoring a fluid system for lubricating a mechanical system. The fluid system comprises a spraying circuit connected to a main fluid circuit and to a back-up fluid circuit. The back-up fluid circuit comprises a back-up check valve closed in a nominal operating mode. The method comprises a monitoring phase comprising the generation of a first alert in the presence of the detection of a malfunction making the main fluid circuit inoperative and the back-up check valve in an open state and the generation of a second alert different from the first alert in the presence a malfunction and the back-up check valve in a closed state.

Apparatus and method for supplying lubricant to a plurality of lubrication sites. Embodiments include a pump with venting and non-venting piston return, a pump with stirrer and direct feed mechanism, a pump with CAN system and self-diagnostics, a pump with heated housing and reservoir, a pump with stepper motor and overdrive control and a pump able to be used with a plurality of different types or of lubrication systems.

Apparatus and method for supplying lubricant to a plurality of lubrication sites. Embodiments include a pump with venting and non-venting piston return, a pump with stirrer and direct feed mechanism, a pump with CAN system and self-diagnostics, a pump with heated housing and reservoir, a pump with stepper motor and overdrive control and a pump able to be used with a plurality of different types or of lubrication systems.

A gearbox includes a housing including a lubricant reservoir, at least one gear system arranged in the housing, at least one lubricant delivery passage operable to direct a flow of lubricant from a lubricant reservoir onto the at least one gear system, at least one lubricant return passage operable to guide the flow of lubricant to the lubricant reservoir, and a lubricant-out sensor fluidically connected to the at least one lubricant return passage. The lubricant-out sensor is operable to detect a non-pressure based parameter of the lubricant.

A gearbox includes a housing including a lubricant reservoir, at least one gear system arranged in the housing, at least one lubricant delivery passage operable to direct a flow of lubricant from a lubricant reservoir onto the at least one gear system, at least one lubricant return passage operable to guide the flow of lubricant to the lubricant reservoir, and a lubricant-out sensor fluidically connected to the at least one lubricant return passage. The lubricant-out sensor is operable to detect a non-pressure based parameter of the lubricant.

A locomotive sensor system includes a sensor configured to be in contact with lubricant within an engine of a locomotive. The sensor includes a sensing region circuit that is configured to generate stimuli at different times during an operational life of the engine. The system also includes one or more processors configured to receive signals from the sensor. The signals are representative of responses of the lubricant to the stimuli. The one or more processors are configured to analyze the responses and determine a characteristic of the lubricant that represents one or more of a total base number (TBN) or a total acid number (TAN) of the lubricant. The are configured to determine an unhealthy state of one or more of the engine or the lubricant based on the characteristic of the lubricant that is determined.

A locomotive sensor system includes a sensor configured to be in contact with lubricant within an engine of a locomotive. The sensor includes a sensing region circuit that is configured to generate stimuli at different times during an operational life of the engine. The system also includes one or more processors configured to receive signals from the sensor. The signals are representative of responses of the lubricant to the stimuli. The one or more processors are configured to analyze the responses and determine a characteristic of the lubricant that represents one or more of a total base number (TBN) or a total acid number (TAN) of the lubricant. The are configured to determine an unhealthy state of one or more of the engine or the lubricant based on the characteristic of the lubricant that is determined.