Micro-viscosity sensor and lubrication analysis system employing the same

A lubricant analysis system, comprising:

• at least one micro-viscosity sensor, including:
• an array of finger-like elements extending perpendicular to the surface of a semiconductor base, the array of finger-like elements being oscillated at a predetermined frequency as driven by an electrical power applied thereto, wherein the power required to maintain oscillation of the array of finger-like elements at the pre-determined frequency corresponds to the viscosity of the fluid, the pre-determined frequency being different than a natural resonant frequency of the finger-like elements;
• a lubrication analyzer, including:
• a processor operatively coupled to the at least one micro-viscosity sensor, the processor adapted to process data output from the at least one micro-viscosity sensor to determine the viscosity of the fluid.

A micro-viscosity sensor for measuring the viscosity of a lubricant, comprising:

• at least one finger-like element extending from the surface of a semiconductor base, the at least one finger-like element operative to be oscillated over a range of frequencies as driven by an electrical power applied thereto;
• a temperature detector, wherein the conductivity of the temperature detector varies in correspondence with the temperature of the lubricant;
• a first set of electrical contacts for providing electrical connection to the at least one finger-like element;
• and
• a second set of electrical contacts for providing electrical connection to the temperature detector;
• wherein the power required to maintain oscillation of the at least one finger-like element at a particular frequency corresponds to the viscosity of the fluid being sensed, the particular freqency being different than a natural resonant frequency of the at least one finger-like element.

A method for sensing the viscosity of a fluid, comprising the steps of:

• oscillating at least one element extending from the surface of a semiconductor base, the at least one element operative to be oscillated over a range of frequencies as driven by an electrical power applied thereto;
• using a temperature detector to measure the temperature of the fluid, wherein the conductivity of the temperature detector varies in correspondence with the temperature of the lubricant;
• and
• determining the power required to maintain oscillation of the at least one element at a particular frequency, the particular frequency being different than a natural resonant frequency of the at least one element:
• wherein the power required is a function of the viscosity of the fluid.

A viscosity sensing system, comprising:

• at least one micro-viscosity sensor, including:
• an array of finger-like elements extending from the surface of a semiconductor base, the array of elements finger-like being oscillated at a predetermined frequency, wherein the power required to maintain oscillation of the array of finger-like elements at the pre-determined frequency corresponds to the viscosity of the fluid;
• a lubrication analyzer, including:
• a processor operatively coupled to the at least one micro-viscosity sensor, the processor adapted to process data output from the at least one micro-viscosity sensor to determine the viscosity of the fluid
• wherein the integrated viscosity sensing system provides for in situ monitoring of the fluid.