Miniature electron spin resonance spectroscopy technology (Micro-ESR) provides a quantitative, real-time measure of oil condition including oxidation, sulfation, water content and additive depletion. In the event corrosion does occur, the sensor can quantitatively measure iron oxides in the oil. These measures correlated with published ASTM standards based on the Navy's JOAP program. Enhancements to the system provide quantitative measurements of particle size and distribution and composition.
Benefit: Many high value commercial systems can benefit from highly integrated, automated lubricant condition monitoring sensors. A primary shortcoming of existing technologies -- reliance on inferred or algorithmically derived models to determine fluid condition -- is eliminated by the proposed new spectroscopic technique.
Keywords: ESR, ESR, JOAP, ASTM, corrosion., oil analysis
