Oil monitoring
AssigneeSPM Oil & Gas Inc.
InventorTrever Dean Stewart
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The oil quality in an oil reservoir of a pump is monitored using the disclosed oil-monitoring sensor. The oil-monitoring sensor includes a first capacitive portion for measuring oil level and a second capacitive portion for measuring dielectric constant of the oil. Changes in dielectric constant of the oil are indicative of degradation of the quality of the oil (e.g., due to contaminants, oxidation, etc.) So oil-monitoring sensor is used to indicate various parameters about the oil quality to an operator. Using the disclosed sensors, the quality of the lubricant and/or cooling oil used by the pump may be monitored without needing to be present at the pump, or without needing to access the interior of the pump (or oil reservoir).
Claims18
An oil quality monitoring A system for monitoring oil quality in a pump, the system comprising:
- a lubrication circuit coupled to the pump;
- and
- an oil sensor comprising:
- a first capacitive portion for measuring a level of the oil;
- and
- a second capacitive portion for measuring a dielectric constant of the oil,
- wherein the first and second capacitive portions each include a first capacitive element and share a common second capacitive element spaced from the respective first capacitive elements,
- wherein the second capacitive element is tubular, and
- wherein each first capacitive element is arranged concentrically within the second capacitive element.
A system for monitoring an oil quality of a pump, the system comprising:
- an oil reservoir in fluid connection with the pump;
- and
- a sensor comprising:
- a first capacitive portion for measuring oil level;
- and
- a second capacitive portion for measuring a dielectric constant of the oil,
- wherein the first and second capacitive portions each include a first capacitive element and share a common second capacitive element spaced from the respective first capacitive elements,
- wherein the second capacitive element is tubular, and
- wherein each first capacitive element is arranged concentrically within the second capacitive element.
A method of determining a quality of oil in a reservoir of a pump, the method comprising:
- providing a sensor including:
- a first capacitive portion for measuring a level of the oil based on a degree of exposure of the sensor to the oil;
- and
- a second capacitive portion for measuring a dielectric constant of the oil,
- wherein the first and second capacitive portions each include a first capacitive element and share a common second capacitive element spaced from the respective first capacitive elements,
- wherein the second capacitive element is tubular, and
- wherein each first capacitive element is arranged concentrically within the second capacitive element;
- exposing the sensor to a substantially constant oil level;
- and
- determining the quality of the oil based on the sensed dielectric constant of the oil.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.