Method and system for monitoring the function of a lubricated machine element

A system for monitoring the function of a machine element lubricated with a lubricant, the system comprising:

• a sensor arranged on the lubricated machine element,
• a first interface component that receives measured values concerning the lubricant from the sensor, a data storage component that stores the measured values,
• at least one processor component that:
• determines a current chemical composition of the lubricant based on the measured values,
• compares the current chemical composition with previously known chemical compositions stored in a database, wherein function failure tendency values for the use of lubricants with previously known chemical compositions in connection with machine elements from previously known materials are stored in the database, and
• identifies a function failure tendency value based on the comparison,
• generates a time sequence based on multiple identified function failure tendency values,
• a second interface component (i) outputs the function failure tendency value, and (ii) output a warning when the time sequence approaches a previously determined threshold value, and
• the at least one processor component calculates a composition of an additive that is suitable for changing a current chemical composition of the lubricant of the lubricated machine element via addition of an additive so that the function failure tendency value of the changed chemical composition of the lubricant indicates a lower function failure likelihood.