A system and a method for monitoring a lubricant in a transmission are provided. The system comprises a first speed sensor, a temperature sensor, and a processing unit. The first speed sensor is positioned adjacent a first clutch, which forms a portion of the transmission. The first speed sensor is configured to detect a rotational difference between portions of the first clutch. The temperature sensor is disposed within the transmission. The temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature of the lubricant. The processing unit is in communication with the first speed sensor and the temperature sensor. In response to information from the first speed sensor and the temperature sensor, the processing unit determines a condition of the lubricant used in the transmission.

A method is disclosed that includes determining a current level of a plurality of lubricant parameters present in a portion of lubricant, comparing the current level of each of the plurality of lubricant parameters to a threshold value corresponding to each of the plurality of lubricant parameters, analyzing a priority of each of the lubricant parameters, and determining a health status of the lubricant in response to the comparing and the analyzing.

A system for detecting deposit formation on electrically-conductive materials in vapor and liquid phases includes a test cell for receiving a test liquid (e.g., a lubricant). A heater heats the test liquid to generate a vapor phase of the test liquid in the test cell. A support frame supports at least a first set of electrical conductors in the test liquid and at least a second set of electrical conductors in the vapor phase, each of the first and second sets of conductors including a live electrical conductor and a neutral electrical conductor. A power source supplies an electric current to each of the live electrical conductors. A sensor component detects an electrical property each of the sets of conductors, the electrical property changing in response to formation of an electrically-conductive deposit which connects the first and second conductors in a respective set of conductors. Preferably, the electrical properties are detected by magnetic sensors, such as Hall effect sensors or eddy current sensors.

A sensor system includes a multi-frequency sensor assembly including a single sensor body housing with a sensing region circuit and a sensor reader disposed in the sensor body. The sensor body is configured to be in operational contact with a fluid. The sensing region circuit is configured to generate different electric fields having different frequencies in the fluid. The sensor reader includes one or more processors configured to examine one or more impedance responses of the sensing region circuit at different frequencies and to determine one or more properties of the fluid based on the one or more impedance responses that are examined.

An oil condition estimation apparatus to be applied to a vehicle in which oil is agitated by a rotator includes a storage device and an execution device. The storage device stores mapping data for defining mapping. The mapping includes, as input variables, a speed variable indicating a rotation speed of the rotator, and a pressure variable indicating a pressure of the oil, and includes, as an output variable, an air bubble variable related to air bubbles contained in the oil. The execution device executes an acquisition process for acquiring values of the input variables, and a calculation process for calculating a value of the output variable by inputting, to the mapping, the values of the input variables acquired through the acquisition process.

A sensor having a sensor head including a unibody construction, a first electrode, and at least one second electrode is provided. The first electrode can include a first pair of sensing elements coupled to each over via at least one bridge element extending from a first sensing element to a second sensing element. The at least one second electrode can include a second pair of sensing elements interleaved with the first pair of sensing elements. The second pair of sensing elements can be coupled to each other via at least one second bridge element extending from a third sensing element to a fourth sensing element. A method of manufacturing the sensor is also provided.

For checking engine oil, especially containing rate of FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester), we provide a measuring device including a cylindrical and upright analysis vessel having a reading scale with which a surface boundary is measured. In the vessel, the engine oil is mixed with reagents including alcohol(s) and a demulsifier. And the decreased volume is checked as volume of the FAME contained in the engine oil.

An oil state detection apparatus detects the amount of degradation substances contained in oil. The oil state detection apparatus includes a first oscillation circuit including a coil 1 and a capacitor 2, and a first detection device. Either one of the coil 1 or the capacitor 2 is configured to be immersed in oil. The first detection device is configured to detect the oscillatory frequency of the oscillation circuit.

A method for the assessment of the dispersing capacity of new and used lubricating compositions, in particular for internal combustion engines, and of additives for lubricating compositions, comprises the steps of: providing a homogeneous dispersion of at least one carbonaceous particulate in a composition to be tested, consisting of a lubricating composition or a fraction or component thereof; acquiring at least one micrographic image of a sample of said homogeneous dispersion, deposited on an observation support; calculating the lacunarity of the acquired image as a parameter representative of the degree of dispersion of the particulate in the composition.

Foam testing apparatus with closed loop air circulation along sample cylinder which maintains lubrication oil sample at desired temperature during test procedure. The apparatus may include a digital camera adjacent to the sample cylinder for observation and recording of foam characteristics during test procedure.