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US 10,379,082 B2Granted
System for monitoring machine fluids by measuring fluctuations in a magnetic field
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorKristopher Eric Shaffer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for monitoring machine fluids is provided. The system includes a fluid handling unit configured to pump the fluid and the fluid handling unit includes at least one fluid handling element. A magnetic material on the at least one fluid handling element is configured to generate a magnetic field. A sensing element located within the magnetic field is configured to measure fluctuations in the magnetic field.
Claims16
A fluid monitoring system comprising:
- a fluid handling unit configured to handle the fluid and including at least one fluid handling element, wherein the fluid handling unit is a pump and the at least one fluid handling element is a pumping element, and wherein the pump includes a housing for the at least one pumping element, and the sensing element is a magnetometer located on the housing;
- a magnetic material located on the at least one fluid handling element and configured to generate a magnetic field, wherein the magnetic material is an alloy including neodymium;
- and
- a sensing element located within the magnetic field and configured to measure fluctuations in the magnetic field.
1 more element
A system for monitoring a lubricant in a machine for contamination and deterioration, comprising:
- a pump including a plurality of pumping elements;
- a magnetic material on the pumping elements and generating a magnetic field;
- and
- a sensing element adjacent the pump and within the magnetic field, the sensing element configured to detect fluctuations in the magnetic field;
- wherein the magnetic field fluctuates responsive to changes in a characteristic of the lubricant, and the sensing element is calibrated to generate signals corresponding to the changes in the characteristic.
2 more elements
A system for monitoring the useful life of engine oil, comprising:
- an internal combustion engine:
- an oil pump configured to pump engine oil for lubricating the internal combustion engine;
- a plurality of oil moving elements on the oil pump;
- a magnetic material coating located on the oil moving elements and generating a magnetic field;
- and
- a sensing element configured to measure fluctuations in the magnetic field;
- a communication device configured to transmit signals corresponding to and indicative of fluctuations in the magnetic field;
- a receiver for receiving the signals from the communication element;
- a controller for processing the signals;
- and
- a display for displaying visual data representative of the fluctuations in the magnetic field.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.