초록 ▼

A sensor for detecting particles in a fluid including a housing having a cavity associated therewith, a magnet disposed adjacent the cavity to attract particles into the cavity, first and second coils wound around the outer surface of the cavity, the induction of the first coil being responsive to t

A sensor for detecting particles in a fluid including a housing having a cavity associated therewith, a magnet disposed adjacent the cavity to attract particles into the cavity, first and second coils wound around the outer surface of the cavity, the induction of the first coil being responsive to the particle accumulation within the cavity, the inductance of the second coil being responsive to the temperature of the fluid and being independent of the particle accumulation within the cavity, a first microprocessor coupled to the first and second coils for processing the signals received therefrom and for outputting signals indicative of the particle accumulation within the cavity, an rf transmitter for converting the signals received from the first microprocessor into rf signals, and an rf antenna for transmitting the processed signals to a remote location. The signals outputted from the first microprocessor are encoded with an identification code to identify and distinguish such signals. A second rf antenna and receiver are positioned at a remote location for receiving the transmitted rf signals. The receiver decodes and processes such transmitted rf signals back into an electrical signal indicative of the particle accumulation within the cavity and inputs such signal into a second microprocessor or electronic controller which stores and monitors such information for diagnostic, prognostic and trend analysis purposes.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A sensor system carried by a work machine for sensing particle accumulation within a fluid contained in a work machine component and transmitting a signal representative of such particle accumulation to a receiver carried by the work machine, said system comprising:a sensor carried by a work mach

1. A sensor system carried by a work machine for sensing particle accumulation within a fluid contained in a work machine component and transmitting a signal representative of such particle accumulation to a receiver carried by the work machine, said system comprising:a sensor carried by a work machine positionable relative to a fluid and capable of generating an electrical signal responsive to the particle accumulation within the fluid; a first microprocessor coupled to said sensor for receiving electrical signals therefrom and for outputting a signal indicative of the particle accumulation in the fluid; a transmitter coupled to said first microprocessor for processing the signals received from said first microprocessor into rf signals and transmitting said rf signals; a receiver carried by the work machine and positioned at a location remote from said transmitter for receiving the rf signals from said transmitter and processing said signals back into an electrical signal; and a second microprocessor coupled to said receiver for receiving and storing the electrical signals from said receiver, said electrical signals being indicative of the particle accumulation within the fluid.