Apparatus for testing the ability of a filter to filter contaminants

A controlled contamination test system for automatically testing a fluid filter or other hydraulic component or system according to one or more test parameters, the test system positioned at a first location and including:

• a. a test fluid path having substantially a closed loop path through the hydraulic component under test;
• b. a controller, capable of receiving one or more operational parameters associated with the hydraulic component test system, that monitors one or more of the operational parameters, controls the operation of the test system and calculates and reports the results of a test conducted by the hydraulic component test system, the controller including:
• memory that stores data related to the operational parameters monitored by the controller during the course of a test and capable of storing a test program;
• and
• a test program, stored in the memory, that includes one or more test parameters specifying how the test is to be conducted, for operating the controller in the course of the test;
• c. a local input device operably connected to the controller and configured to convey to the test program one or more test parameters;
• d. a test fixture that houses the hydraulic component to be tested, the test fixture including inlet and outlet connections in fluid communication with the test fluid path;
• e. a main fluid reservoir system, operably connected to and controlled by the controller and capable of containing a supply of fluid that is substantially free of contaminants before a test is commenced, and including a main fluid reservoir tank having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, the inlet and outlet each in fluid communication with the test fluid path;
• f. a contaminant injection system capable of containing a supply of contaminated fluid, including:
• at least one contaminant tank, each tank capable of containing a supply of contaminated fluid and having a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the test fluid path upstream of the test fixture, for introducing contaminants into the fluid flowing into the test component;
• and
• a contaminant fluid flow control device, operably connected to and controlled by the controller and in fluid communication with and positioned between each contaminant tank outlet and the test fluid path, that controls the flow of fluid from each contaminant tank into the test fluid path upstream of the test fixture;
• g. a contaminant monitoring system, including:
• an upstream contaminant monitor, operably connected to and controlled by the controller and having an inlet in fluid communication with the test fluid path at a position near the inlet of the test fixture, that monitors the contaminant level of fluid in the test fluid path upstream of the test fixture and reports the monitored contaminant level to the controller;
• and
• a downstream contaminant monitor, operably connected to and controlled by the controller and having an inlet in fluid communication with the test fluid path at a position near the outlet of the test fixture, that monitors the contaminant level of fluid in the test fluid path downstream of the test fixture and reports the monitored contaminant level to the controller;
• h. a component fluid pressure monitoring system, operably connected to the controller and in fluid communication with the test fluid path near the inlet of the test fixture and near the outlet of the test fixture, that monitors the pressure change across the test fixture and reports the monitored pressure change to the controller;
• i. a pumping system, operably connected to and controlled by the controller and in fluid communication with the test fluid path, that controllably drives fluid through the test fluid path;
• and
• j. a system fluid flow rate measuring device, operably connected to the controller and in fluid communication with the test fluid path in substantial proximity to the test fixture, that measures the fluid flow rate through the test fixture and reports the measured fluid flow rate to the controller;
• wherein the test program operates the controller to conduct a test of the test component, including controlling the operation of the hydraulic component test system in response to one or more test parameters and one or more operational parameters reported to the controller.