A fuel property sensor including a substrate, a first lead wire, a second lead wire, a wiring member, and a determiner. The substrate is disposed in such a position as to be in contact with the fuel. The first lead wire is connected to the substrate. The second lead wire is connected to the substrate. The second lead wire is spaced from the first lead wire. The wiring member is provided on the substrate. The wiring member connects the first lead wire and the second lead wire. The wiring member is configured to electrically disconnect the first lead wire and the second lead wire from each other by reaction with impurities contained in the fuel. The determiner is configured to determine whether the first lead wire and the second lead wire are electrically connected.

A lubrication system for an internal combustion engine and a method of monitoring the lubrication system are described. The lubrication system generally circulates lubricant from a sump (i.e., a reservoir), through a filtration system, to the internal combustion engine, and back to the sump. The lubrication system includes a controller that monitors a dielectric constant of the lubricant and a viscosity of the lubricant. Based on the dielectric constant, the controller can determine whether the lubricant flowing through the lubrication system is new lubricant (e.g., recently replaced lubricant) or old lubricant (e.g., lubricant that has degraded enough to be distinguished from new lubricant). If old lubricant is identified, the viscosity of the lubricant is compared against threshold viscosities to dynamically determine when the lubricant requires replacement.

Disclosed is a monitoring apparatus for monitoring a state of wear of a component of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine wherein an oil collection device is provided for the collection of lubrication oil from the cylinder so that a predetermined measured quantity of lubrication oil is suppliable from the cylinder to a measurement device.

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.

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.

A sensing system for detecting degradation of a machine fluid is disclosed. The sensing system may comprise a tag having electrical contacts. The tag may be configured to transmit a wireless signal when the electrical contacts are in electrical communication. The sensing system may further comprise a dissolvable element separating the electrical contacts and obstructing electrical communication between the electrical contacts. The dissolvable element may be configured to dissolve and allow electrical communication between the electrical contacts when an acid content of the machine fluid reaches a level indicative of the degradation of the machine fluid.

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 system includes one or more processors and a resonant sensor that contacts oil within an engine of a vehicle system. The sensor generates electrical stimuli at different times during an operational life of the engine. Each electrical stimulus has multiple different frequencies applied to the oil. The one or more processors receive electrical signals representing impedance responses of the oil to the electrical stimuli. The one or more processors determine a concentration of a polar analyte in the oil at the different times based on the impedance responses and calculate a degradation value for the engine based on the polar analyte concentration. Responsive to the degradation value exceeding a designated degradation threshold, the one or more processors at least one of schedule maintenance for the vehicle system, provide an alert to schedule maintenance for the vehicle system, or prohibit operation of the vehicle system until maintenance is performed.