A device for outputting a future state of a central lubrication system includes at least one sensor for recording a parameter of the central lubrication system, a processing unit for processing the recorded parameter, determining a current state of the central lubrication system based on the processed parameter, and estimating a future state of the central lubrication system over a certain period of time based on the current state and stored data, and an output unit for outputting the future state of the central lubrication system.

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 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.

Provided is a life evaluating device that evaluates the life of a lubricant in a machine including a motor and a transmission mechanism that is lubricated by the lubricant and transmits power of the motor to a movable unit. The life evaluating device includes a motor-heat-value calculating unit that calculates a motor heat value on the basis of a current value of the motor, a frictional-heat-value calculating unit that calculates a frictional heat value in the transmission mechanism on the basis of rotating speed of the motor and a coefficient of friction of the transmission mechanism, a lubricant-temperature estimating unit that estimates temperature of the lubricant on the basis of the calculated frictional heat value and the calculated motor heat value, and a life estimating unit that estimates the life of the lubricant on the basis of the estimated temperature of the lubricant and information concerning impurities in the lubricant.

A fluid degradation monitoring system may detect a replacement of a fluid of a machine. The fluid degradation monitoring system may determine, after detecting the replacement of the fluid, a first degradation estimate of the fluid using a first technique based on characteristics relating to an operation of the machine. The fluid degradation monitoring system may detect a transition in a value of a dielectric constant of the fluid from a first phase to a second phase. The fluid degradation monitoring system may determine, after detecting the transition in the value of the dielectric constant, a second degradation estimate of the fluid using a second technique based on characteristics relating to the fluid.

An apparatus and method for determining lubrication contamination or deterioration in an engine or a lubricant system of an engine can include at least one sensor provided in the lubricant system. The sensor can sense an aroma of a lubricant or the air around the lubricant to measure a chemical composition or an aromatic. The sensed chemical composition or aromatic can be compared to a baseline or threshold to determine a particular contamination type or deterioration level of the lubricant.

Systems and methods for capturing fluid change history in a vehicle are provided. A method includes: detecting, by a computer device, a fill cap is removed from an inlet port of a fluid reservoir or a drain plug is removed from an outlet port of the fluid reservoir; activating, by the computer device and based on the detecting, one of a fill sensor and a drain sensor; obtaining, by the computer device, fluid characteristics data from one of the fill sensor and the drain sensor; determining, by the computer device, at least one fluid parameter based on the fluid characteristics data; and transmitting, by the computer device, the determined at least one fluid parameter to a remote system via a communication network that is external to the vehicle.

Provided is a life evaluating device that evaluates the life of a lubricant in a machine including a motor and a transmission mechanism that is lubricated by the lubricant and transmits power of the motor to a movable unit. The life evaluating device includes a motor-heat-value calculating unit that calculates a motor heat value on the basis of a current value of the motor, a frictional-heat-value calculating unit that calculates a frictional heat value in the transmission mechanism on the basis of rotating speed of the motor and a coefficient of friction of the transmission mechanism, a lubricant-temperature estimating unit that estimates temperature of the lubricant on the basis of the calculated frictional heat value and the calculated motor heat value, and a life estimating unit that estimates the life of the lubricant on the basis of the estimated temperature of the lubricant and information concerning impurities in the lubricant.

Systems and methods for capturing fluid change history in a vehicle are provided. A method includes: detecting, by a computer device, a fill cap is removed from an inlet port of a fluid reservoir or a drain plug is removed from an outlet port of the fluid reservoir; activating, by the computer device and based on the detecting, one of a fill sensor and a drain sensor; obtaining, by the computer device, fluid characteristics data from one of the fill sensor and the drain sensor; determining, by the computer device, at least one fluid parameter based on the fluid characteristics data; and transmitting, by the computer device, the determined at least one fluid parameter to a remote system via a communication network that is external to the vehicle.

A method for determining an amount of water contamination in oil of a gearbox of a wind turbine includes receiving, via a controller, one or more operational parameters of the wind turbine. The method also includes receiving, via the controller, one or more weather conditions at the wind turbine. Further, the method includes calculating, via the controller, the amount of water contamination in the oil of the gearbox as a function of the one or more operational parameters of the wind turbine and the one or more weather conditions at the wind turbine. In addition, the method includes implementing, via the controller, a corrective action based on the calculated amount of water contamination in the oil of the gearbox.