Portable optical fluid debris detector including cover and calibrating magnet
AssigneeSimmonds Precision Products, Inc.
InventorRobert Downing LaClair
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus for detecting ferromagnetic debris in a fluid medium in a container includes a plug attachable to the container and having an associated magnetic field preferably produced by a permanent magnet. The plug is at least partly exposed to the fluid to capture debris in the fluid. The apparatus further includes a portable sensor for optically sensing the captured debris, with the sensor having a probe that is connectable to the plug. A method for using such apparatus is provided, and in general a method of detecting ferromagnetic particles in a fluid medium in a container includes the steps of: a) magnetically capturing particles from the fluid using a plug with the container, and b) interrogating the plug with light for captured particles using a portable probe.
Claims6
A fluid debris monitor for detecting ferromagnetic debris in a fluid within a container, comprising magnetic plug means for producing a magnetic field in the fluid to capture debris, said magnetic field changing in relation to said captured debris;
- said magnetic plug means comprising a plug outer casing;
- transducer means for transmitting and receiving light energy;
- and optical probe means for detecting said captured debris by changing a characteristic of said light from said transducer means in relation to said magnetic field, said optical probe means being nonelectrically coupled to said transducer means and being entirely disposed in a probe outer casing that is selectively mated and unmated with said plug outer casing;
- wherein said magnetic field changes as debris is captured and said probe means comprises magneto-optic means for changing said light characteristic in response to said magnetic field changes and said transducer means converts light received from said probe means into an output that corresponds to said debris;
- and a removable cover means for protecting said probe means and for providing a calibration means for calibrating the debris monitor prior to mating said probe means and said plug means together.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.