Methods and apparatus for monitoring a mass concentration of particulate matter

A particulate mass monitor comprising:

• a first sensor configured to receive a fluid sample;
• a second sensor configured to receive the fluid sample;
• and
• a controller in electrical communication with the first sensor and in electrical communication with the second sensor, the controller configured to:
• detect a first mass concentration of particulates within the fluid sample using the first sensor;
• detect a second mass concentration of particulates within the fluid sample using second sensor;
• and
• determine a final mass concentration of particulates within the fluid sample based on a mass concentration from the first sensor and a ratio between the second mass concentration and the first mass concentration;
• and
• wherein the controller is operable to determine the final mass concentration level of particulates within the fluid sample based upon the ratio between the second mass concentration and the first mass concentration when at least one of the first mass concentration and the second mass concentration reaches a mass concentration threshold value.

A computer program product having a computer-readable medium including computer program logic encoded thereon that, when performed on a controller provides a method for performing the operations of:

• detecting a first mass concentration of particulates within a fluid sample using a first sensor;
• detecting a second mass concentration of particulates within the fluid sample using a second sensor;
• determining a final mass concentration level of particulates within the fluid sample based on a mass concentration from the first sensor, and a ratio between the second mass concentration and the first mass concentration;
• and
• wherein determining the final mass concentration level includes multiplying an instant value of mass concentration detected by the first sensor by the ratio, wherein the ratio represents a time-averaged mass concentration value detected by the first sensor divided by a time-averaged mass concentration value detected by the second sensor.

A method for characterizing a particulate source for particulate matter within a fluid comprising:

• receiving a fluid sample;
• detecting a first mass concentration of particulates within the fluid sample using a first sensor;
• detecting a second mass concentration of particulates within the fluid sample using a second sensor;
• calculating a ratio between the first mass concentration value and the second mass concentration value to detect a characteristic of the particulate matter within the fluid sample;
• and
• wherein the step of detecting a first mass concentration of particulates within the fluid sample further comprises:
• detecting a rate of change of the first mass concentration of the fluid sample;
• and
• adjusting a time interval for averaging the first mass concentration of particulates within the fluid sample and for averaging the second mass concentration of particulates within the fluid sample when the rate of change of the first mass concentration reaches a rate threshold.

A method for monitoring a mass concentration of particulates within a fluid comprising:

• receiving a fluid sample;
• detecting a first mass concentration of particulates within the fluid sample using a first sensor;
• detecting a second mass concentration of particulates within the fluid sample using a second sensor;
• determining a final mass concentration level of particulates within the fluid sample based on a mass concentration from the first sensor and a ratio between the second mass concentration and the first mass concentration;
• and
• wherein the step of detecting a first mass concentration of particulates within the fluid sample further comprises:
• utilizing the first sensor to detect a rate of change of the first mass concentration of the fluid sample;
• and
• in response to identifying that the rate of change of the first mass concentration reaches a rate threshold value, adjusting a respective time interval for averaging an amount of the first mass concentration of particulates detected by the first sensor.

A method for monitoring a mass concentration of particulates within a fluid, the method comprising:

• receiving a fluid sample;
• detecting a first mass concentration of particulates within the fluid sample using a first sensor;
• detecting a second mass concentration of particulates within the fluid sample using a second sensor;
• and
• determining a final mass concentration level of particulates within the fluid sample based on a mass concentration from the first sensor and a ratio between the second mass concentration and the first mass concentration;
• wherein the step of determining the final mass concentration level further includes:
• retrieving an instant mass concentration measurement from the first sensor;
• comparing the second mass concentration with a mass concentration threshold value.

A method for monitoring a mass concentration of particulates within a fluid, the method comprising:

• receiving a fluid sample;
• detecting a first mass concentration of particulates within the fluid sample using a first sensor;
• detecting a second mass concentration of particulates within the fluid sample using a second sensor;
• determining a final mass concentration level of particulates within the fluid sample based on a mass concentration from the first sensor and a ratio between the second mass concentration and the first mass concentration;
• and
• wherein determining the final mass concentration level includes multiplying an instant value of mass concentration detected by the first sensor by the ratio, wherein the ratio represents a time-averaged mass concentration value detected by the first sensor divided by a time-averaged mass concentration value detected by the second sensor.