Probe assembly for a fluid condition monitor and method of making same
AssigneeEaton Corporation
InventorsLian Q. Zou, James E. Hansen, Victor E. Shtaida
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A probe assembly for use in monitoring fluid conditions in real time in a transducer utilizing impedance spectroscopy and having two closely spaced tubular concentric electrodes. The electrodes have a surface area of about 8.1 to 10.8 cm2 spaced in the range of about 0.1 to 0.55 mm. In one embodiment a concentric outer tubular Faraday shield is employed for monitoring fluid in a non-metallic vessel. The probe assembly is particularly suitable for monitoring hydraulic fluid including automatic transmission fluid and mineral based engine oil for diesel and gasoline engines.
Claims19
A probe assembly for fluid condition monitoring by impedance spectroscopy comprising:
- (a) an outer electrode having a relatively thin wall tubular configuration;
- (b) an inner electrode having a relatively thin wall tubular configuration and disposed concentrically within said outer electrode and radially spaced in the range of about 0.15 to 0.55 mm inwardly from the inner surface of said outer electrode and said inner electrode has a surface area in the range of about 8.1 to 10.8 cm2 disposed at said spacing.
A method of making a probe for use in impedance spectroscopy fluid monitoring comprising:
- (a) disposing an inner tubular electrode concentrically within an outer tubular electrode and spacing the inner electrode in the range of about 0.15 to 0.55 mm radially from the outer electrode and disposing a surface area of such inner electrode in the range of about 8.1 to 10.8 cm2 at said spacing;
- and,
- (b) forming an electrical connector terminal at a corresponding end of said inner and outer electrode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.