Sensing system for detecting machine fluid degradation
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsPhilip C. Spengler, Jeffrey R. Ries, Hind Abi-Akar
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Abstract
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.
Claims9
A sensing system for detecting degradation of a machine fluid, comprising:
- a tag having electrical contacts, the tag being configured to transmit a wireless signal when the electrical contacts are in electrical communication;
- and
- a dissolvable element between the electrical contacts and obstructing physical contact and the electrical communication between the electrical contacts, the dissolvable element being configured to at least partially dissolve when an acid content of the machine fluid reaches a level indicative of the degradation of the machine fluid, the dissolution of the dissolvable element initiating the electrical communication between the electrical contacts and the transmission of the wireless signal by allowing the electrical contacts to come into physical contact or by allowing the machine fluid to flow between the electrical contacts, the wireless signal transmitted by the tag indicating the degradation of the machine fluid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.