Combined oil quality and viscosity sensing system

A combined oil quality and viscosity sensing system including an oil pump for circulating lubricating oil to the engine, said system comprising:

• a housing having a conduit therethrough, defining a restricted oil flow path within said housing, said conduit having an entering threaded inlet and an exiting threaded outlet;
• a capacitive sensor for determining the dielectric constant of oil, said capacitive sensor being fitted within said housing and along said conduit, between said entering threaded inlet and said exiting threaded outlet, said capacitive sensor being included in and forming part of said restricted flow path;
• a high pressure port along said conduit between said entering threaded inlet and said sensor, said conduit receiving oil under pressure and for circulating the oil past said capacitive sensor;
• a low pressure port along said conduit between said exiting threaded outlet and said sensor for receiving the oil following transmission through said restricted path from said high pressure port;
• said capacitive dielectric sensor constituting the principal restriction in the flow path between said high pressure port and said low pressure port;
• pressure sensing arrangement coupled to said high pressure port and to said low pressure port;
• pressure sensing arrangements;
• said conduit applying oil from said high pressure port and from said low pressure port to said pressure sensing arrangements;
• and
• circuitry coupled to said capacitive sensor and to said pressure sensing arrangements for indicating the oil quality and whether contamination is present in the oil.

A combined oil quality and viscosity sensing assembly, including an oil pump for circulating lubricating oil, said assembly comprising:

• a housing having a conduit therethrough defining a restricted oil flow path within said housing, said conduit having an entering threaded inlet and an exiting threaded outlet;
• a capacitive dielectric sensor located along said conduit and intervening between said entering threaded inlet and said exiting threaded outlet, said capacitive dielectric sensor comprised of an outer metal member having a threaded outer surface portion which fits within a threaded bore of the housing;
• a low pressure port located between said sensor and said exiting outlet;
• said capacitive dielectric sensor constituting the principal restriction in the flow path between said entering inlet and said low pressure port;
• pressure sensing arrangements coupled to said low pressure port;
• and
• said conduits circulating oil past said capacitive dielectric sensor and said low pressure port.

A combined oil quality and viscosity sensing system including an oil pump for circulating lubricating oil to the engine, said system comprising:

• a capacitive dielectric sensor for determining the dielectric constant of oil;
• a high pressure port and conduit receiving oil under pressure and for circulating the oil past said capacitive sensor;
• a low pressure port for receiving the oil following transmission through a restricted flow path from said high pressure port;
• pressure sensing arrangements;
• conduits for applying oil from said high pressure port and from said low pressure port to said pressure sensing arrangements;
• said capacitive dielectric sensor constituting the principal restriction in said restricted flow path;
• and
• circuitry coupled to said capacitive sensor and to said pressure sensing arrangements for indicating the oil quality and whether contamination is present in the oil.