Patent classifications
F16N29/04
SYSTEMS FOR IN SITU MONITORING OF WORKING FLUIDS AND WORKING FLUID SYSTEMS
A working fluid monitoring system for monitoring a working fluid of working fluid system of a piece of equipment is provided. The working fluid monitoring system can include a filter member having an inlet, an outlet, and a filter media disposed between the inlet and the outlet. The filter member can be configured to permit fluid communication of the working fluid of the working fluid system from the inlet, through the filter media, and out the outlet of the filter member. A sensor is in operable communication with the working fluid within the filter member and is configured to monitor in situ a parameter of the working fluid and/or the working fluid system.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SENSING LUBRICANT AND ENGINE HEALTH
A system includes a sensor configured to be in contact with lubricant within an engine of a vehicle system. 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 one or more processors 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.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SENSING LUBRICANT AND ENGINE HEALTH
A system includes a sensor configured to be in contact with lubricant within an engine of a vehicle system. 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 one or more processors 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.
LUBRICATION INJECTOR WITH ENERGY HARVESTING
A system for harvesting energy from a lubrication event includes a fluid pump, a fluid injector, an energy harvesting device, a wireless transmitter, and a controller unit. The fluid injector receives fluid from the fluid pump. The fluid injector is connected to the energy harvesting device, which is configured to produce electrical energy in response to a firing of the fluid injector. Electrical energy produced by the energy harvesting device powers the wireless transmitter, which is configured to transmit a wireless signal. The wireless signal indicates that the fluid injector fired. The wireless signal is received by the controller unit, which controls the fluid pump.
LUBRICATION INJECTOR WITH ENERGY HARVESTING
A system for harvesting energy from a lubrication event includes a fluid pump, a fluid injector, an energy harvesting device, a wireless transmitter, and a controller unit. The fluid injector receives fluid from the fluid pump. The fluid injector is connected to the energy harvesting device, which is configured to produce electrical energy in response to a firing of the fluid injector. Electrical energy produced by the energy harvesting device powers the wireless transmitter, which is configured to transmit a wireless signal. The wireless signal indicates that the fluid injector fired. The wireless signal is received by the controller unit, which controls the fluid pump.
DETECTION DEVICE AND LUBRICANT DISTRIBUTOR
A device for detecting a movement of a piston of a lubricant distributor includes a movable actuator including a first magnet element, and a movable indicator including a second magnet element. The actuator is configured to be moved from an initial actuator position to an end actuator position by a movement of the piston, and the actuator and the indicator are configured and disposed such that a magnetic force prevails between them such that the indicator is moved from an initial indicator position to an end indicator position by the movement of the actuator from the initial actuator position toward the end actuator position.
DETECTION DEVICE AND LUBRICANT DISTRIBUTOR
A device for detecting a movement of a piston of a lubricant distributor includes a movable actuator including a first magnet element, and a movable indicator including a second magnet element. The actuator is configured to be moved from an initial actuator position to an end actuator position by a movement of the piston, and the actuator and the indicator are configured and disposed such that a magnetic force prevails between them such that the indicator is moved from an initial indicator position to an end indicator position by the movement of the actuator from the initial actuator position toward the end actuator position.
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SUPPLYING CHARGE PULSES TO A CHIP ZAPPER OF A GAS TURBINE ENGINE
An energy generation system for generating energy to be supplied to a chip zapping unit of for example a gas turbine engine comprises an ignition system, e.g. that of the gas turbine engine, the ignition system having an energy output and configured to supply operational energy to the energy output, and the chip zapping unit having an energy input, the energy input coupled to the energy output of the ignition system to receive the operational energy therefrom. Such an energy generation system generates the operational energy needed for the chip zapping unit directly from the ignition system thus avoiding pulse generation circuitry inside an electronic control unit.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF MITIGATING LUBRICANT LEAKAGE FROM SEAL ASSEMBLIES
A bearing lubrication system includes a bearing housing, a lubricant reservoir communicating with the bearing housing, a seal assembly including a seal housing, an air supply line that injects pressurized air into the seal housing, a control valve arranged within the air supply line and adjustable to regulate flow of pressurized air into the seal housing, a blower that maintains a vacuum inside the lubricant reservoir, and a control system in communication with the control valve. When a pressure inside the bearing housing exceeds a predetermined pressure range, the control system adjusts the control valve to increase air pressure within the seal housing, and increases the blower speed to increase the vacuum pressure. When the pressure descends below the predetermined pressure range, the control system adjusts the control valve to decrease the air pressure, and decreases the blower speed to maintain or decrease the vacuum pressure.
Bearing diagnostic device for machine tool
A bearing diagnostic device senses a failure in a bearing of a machine tool including a rotation shaft device. The bearing diagnostic device includes a rotation counting unit, a temperature measuring unit, a frictional torque calculating unit, a rolling speed calculating unit, a bearing characteristic calculating unit, a storage unit, and a determination unit. The frictional torque calculating unit is configured to calculate a frictional torque of the rotation shaft device. The rolling speed calculating unit is configured to calculate a rolling speed of the bearing from the count of rotations. The bearing characteristic calculating unit is configured to calculate a bearing characteristic from the frictional torque and the rolling speed. The determination unit is configured to compare the bearing characteristic calculated by the bearing characteristic calculating unit with a reference bearing characteristic stored in the storage unit to determine a presence of a failure.