Miniature sensor for lubricant analysis

A fluid contamination analyzer, comprising:

• a probe;
• at least one micro-miniature sensor at one end of the probe, wherein the at least one sensor includes:
• a substrate;
• a plurality of conductors formed over the substrate, wherein each is coupled to one of two leads;
• and
• an insulating layer overlying the plurality of conductors;
• and
• a conductive layer overlying the conductors, thereby forming a cavity for fluid flow analysis between the conductive layer and the conductors,
• wherein the conductors form electrodes of the sensor and when a fluid contacts the sensor an impedance of the fluid may be determined using the leads of the sensor, thereby providing an indication of fluid contamination;
• and
• when a voltage is applied to the conductive layer, an electrostatic field develops within the cavity, thereby dislodging any particulates that may have become stuck in the sensor and thereby improving fluid contamination analysis accuracy.

A fluid contamination analyzer including a micro-miniature sensor, comprising:

• a substrate;
• a plurality of conductors formed over the substrate, wherein each is coupled to one of two leads, wherein the conductors form electrodes of the sensor and when a fluid contacts the sensor an impedance of the fluid may be determined using the leads of the sensor, thereby providing an indication of fluid contamination;
• and
• a conductive layer overlying the conductors, thereby creating a cavity for fluid flow analysis between the conductive layer and the conductors, wherein when a voltage is applied to the conductive layer, an electrostatic field develops within the cavity, thereby dislodging with an electrostatic force any particulates that may have become stuck within the sensor due to static charge on the particulates and thereby improving fluid contamination analysis accuracy.

A fluid contamination analyzer, comprising:

• a probe;
• at least one micro-miniature sensor at one end of the probe, wherein the at least one sensor includes:
• a substrate;
• a plurality of conductors formed over the substrate, wherein each is coupled to one of two leads;
• and
• an insulating layer overlying the plurality of conductors;
• an array of micro-miniature sensors located within a path of fluid flow, wherein the array of sensors are utilized to improve the accuracy of fluid contamination analysis by providing multiple data samples for subsequent statistical analysis;
• and
• an electromagnet in proximity to the array of sensors, wherein the electromagnet provides a magnetic gradient across the sensor array, thereby providing a fluid contaminant size distribution across the sensor array,
• wherein the conductors form electrodes of the sensor and when a fluid contacts the sensor an impedance of the fluid may be determined using the leads of the sensor, thereby providing an indication of fluid contamination.