# US 10,871,476 B2 · Method and system for failure prediction using lubricating fluid analysis

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- Number: US 10,871,476 B2
- Document ID: US10871476B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/816,717
- Filed: 2020-03-12
- Published: 2020-07-02
- Granted: 2020-12-22
- Earliest claimed: 2012-10-26
- Assignees: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
- Applicants: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
- Inventors: Maurice Jean; Daniel Meilleur
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10871476B2

## CPC

- G01N 31/22: using chemical indicators (G01N31/02 takes precedence)
- F02D 41/22: Safety or indicating devices for abnormal conditions {(in air/fuel ratio feedback systems F02D41/1495, in electric control linkage F02D11/107, in purge control systems F02M25/0809)}
- G01N 33/2858: {Metal particles}
- G06F 15/00: Digital computers in general (details G06F1/00 – G06F13/00); Data processing equipment in general
- F01M 2011/14: {for indicating the necessity to change the oil}
- Y02T 10/40: Engine management systems
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- F02D: CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES (vehicle fittings, acting on a single sub-unit only, for automatically controlling vehicle speed B60K31/00; conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function, road vehicle drive control systems for purposes other than the control of a single sub-unit B60W)
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- F01M: LUBRICATING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; LUBRICATING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES; CRANKCASE VENTILATING
- Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION

## Abstract

Methods and systems for failure prediction using analysis of oil or other lubricant. Raw data about feature(s) of each of a plurality of particles filtered from a fluid sample are used to categorize each particle into one of a plurality of categories, each category being defined by one or more of: chemical composition, size and morphology. Particle physical characteristics in each category are quantified to obtain a set of categorized data. The categorized data are compared with historical data. Results of the comparing are evaluated to generate a prediction of any failure or mechanism of failure.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for generating a failure prediction for an engine of an engine type, the method comprising:
receiving filtered particles filtered from lubricating fluid of the engine;
using X-ray spectroscopy, analyzing the filtered particles and producing raw data relating to the filtered particles, the raw data including chemical compositions of individual filtered particles;
using one or more processors and the raw data:
categorizing individual particles into categories to generate categorized data, at least one category being defined by a chemical composition zone within a three-chemical-element system;
comparing the categorized data with historical data associated with the engine type;
generating the failure prediction based on the comparison and predefined rules, the failure predication being indicative of one or both of the following: when the engine is expected to fail and a mechanism of failure of the engine; and
generating an output indicative of the failure prediction.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the raw data includes sizes and morphologies of individual filtered particles.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the filtered particles include particles smaller than about 30 μm in diameter.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the filtered particles include particles having a size between 0.5 μm and 1600 μm in diameter.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein at least one category is defined according to a particle source.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the comparison comprises at least one of a calculation of deviation of the categorized data from the historical data, and a calculation of variation of the categorized data from the historical data.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the comparison comprises at least one of a comparison of the categorized data in each category to the historical data, and a comparison of a composite of the categorized data to the historical data.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the failure prediction is indicative of premature wear of a component of the engine.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein using X-ray spectroscopy includes using X-ray fluorescence.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, comprising filtering out the plurality of particles from a sample of the lubricating fluid wherein the sample has a volume of 25 ml or less.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the the plurality of particles includes at least 1000 particles.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, comprising generating the failure prediction based on a number of particles in one of the categories.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, comprising generating the failure prediction based on a number of particles in the chemical composition zone.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the filtered particles include non-metallic particles and the raw data includes data relating to the non-metallic particles.