Multi-zone magnetic chip detector

An aircraft engine comprising:

• a lubrication system for distributing lubricating fluid to one or more lubrication loads;
• and
• a multi-zone magnetic chip detector immersed in the lubricating fluid, the multi-zone magnetic chip detector including:
• a first magnetic chip capture zone including a first electrically conductive terminal spaced apart from a second electrically conductive terminal to define a first chip-receiving gap therebetween;
• a second magnetic chip capture zone including a third electrically conductive terminal and either the second electrically conductive terminal or a fourth electrically conductive terminal to define a second chip-receiving gap therebetween;
• and
• an electric circuit including both the first chip-receiving gap and the second chip-receiving gap, the electric circuit providing an output indicative of a chip detection by one or both of the first magnetic chip capture zone and the second magnetic capture zone.

A method of detecting metallic chips in engine fluid of an engine using a multi-zone magnetic chip detector including:

• a first magnetic chip capture zone defined between a first electrically conductive terminal and a second electrically conductive terminal;
• and a second magnetic chip capture zone defined between a third electrically conductive terminal and either the second electrically conductive terminal or a fourth electrically conductive terminal, the method comprising:
• when the multi-zone magnetic chip detector is immersed in engine fluid, receiving one or more metallic chips in one or both of the first magnetic chip capture zone and the second magnetic chip capture zone;
• and
• using an electric circuit including both the first magnetic chip capture zone and the second magnetic chip capture zone, generating, by the electric circuit, an output indicative of a chip detection in the one or both of the first magnetic chip capture zone and the second magnetic capture zone.