| US 7,355,415 B2 | ||
| Method for on-line monitoring of condition of non-aqueous fluids | ||
| Frederick P. Boyle, Kirtland, Ohio (US); and Vadim F. Lvovich, Cleveland Heights, Ohio (US) | ||
| Assigned to The Lubrizol Corporation, Wickliffe, Ohio (US) | ||
| Filed on Sep. 08, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/530,063. | ||
| Application 11/530063 is a continuation in part of application No. 10/841757, filed on May 07, 2004, abandoned. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2007/0151806 A1, Jul. 05, 2007 | ||
| Int. Cl. G01R 27/08 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 324—707 [324/698] | 14 Claims |
| 1. A method for determining the condition of a non-aqueous fluid comprising:
a) applying a high-frequency voltage signal between electrodes immersed in the fluid,
b) measuring the fluid's response to the applied signal and determining a fluid property,
c) comparing the magnitude of the determined property, relative to the magnitude of that property when the fluid is fresh,
to at least one property threshold and comparing the rate of change of the determined property, relative to the average rate
of change of the property as a function of fluid use to at least one rate threshold, resulting in the determination of the
fluid's condition
wherein the determined fluid property is the fluid's permittivity and wherein said property is used to determine the fluid's
condition where the pemittivity is used to determine if contaminants in the fluid are being maintained in dispersed small
particles.
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