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US 12,000,821 B2Granted
Fluid monitoring
AssigneeBd. of Supervisors of La. St. Univ. & A&MCollege
InventorsMichael M. Khonsari, Lijesh Koottaparambil
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods of evaluating mixing are disclosed relating to the preparation and mixing of materials. Materials prepared may transition from heterogeneous mixtures to homogenous mixtures while the current of a motor is monitored. Quantities relating to the rate of change of power or the rate of change of entropy may be calculated in evaluating the sufficiency of mixing. Methods of evaluating lubricant degradation are also disclosed.
Claims19
A method of evaluating mixing comprising:
- a. combining a first material with a second material thereby creating a first mixture wherein the first mixture is initially a non-homogenous mixture;
- b. operating a motor to work the first mixture with a first implement;
- c. measuring a first current to the motor;
- d. recording a first current data set representing values of the first current over time;
- e. calculating a rate variable using the first current dataset wherein the rate variable has a first dimensional form selected from:
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- f. turning off the motor after the rate variable reaches a first threshold value.
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A method of evaluating lubricant degradation comprising:
- a. filling a lubrication fill space of a mechanical device with a first volume of a first grease wherein the first grease has a first grease grade;
- b. wherein the first grease grade matches a lower threshold for the operation of the mechanical device indicative of a reduced level of protection for the mechanical device;
- c. running a motor thereby working the first volume of the first grease;
- d. measuring a first current to the motor associated with the first volume of the first grease;
- e. filling the lubrication fill space of the mechanical device with a second volume of a second grease wherein the second grease has a second grease grade that is higher than the first grease grade;
- f. running the motor thereby working the second volume of the second grease;
- g. collecting a series of current measurements to the motor indicating a change in current over time while the motor works the second volume of the second grease;
- h. curve fitting a comparison variable that is based on the series of current measurements to a first equation of the form:
- X=AtB+C
- wherein X is the comparison variable, wherein A is a first coefficient determined by the curve fitting, wherein B is a second coefficient determined by the curve fitting, wherein C is a third coefficient determined by the curve fitting, and wherein t is time;
- i. finding a value of the comparison variable associated with the first current;
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- j. evaluating a threshold time by solving the first equation using the value of the comparison variable associated with the first current, the first coefficient, the second coefficient, and the third coefficient.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.