EP0141636A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Detection of water in oil
Assignee: Anderson Strathclyde PLC
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Filing: 1984-10-29
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2004-10-29
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides a capacitive transducer through which oil, e.g. lubricating oil in a mining machine, flows. The transducer comprises a cylindrical casing 10 in which end members 22, 24 locate coaxial cylinders 16,18 forming capacitor electrodes. Preferably, the outer electrode 16 is electrically connected to a central tie bolt 26.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenmuir Mackie
- 👤 Graham Klaus Schleyer
- 👤 Robert Victor Thomas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 02:09
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/26; G01N33/28; G01N33/2835; G01N33/2847; G01N27/00; G01N27/02; G01N27/22; G01N27/223
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
A transducer for detecting water in oil, comprising a casing having connection means for connecting the transducer inanoil line to allow continuous flow of oil through the casing, and at least two spaced electrodes positioned within the casing such that oil flowing therethrough acts as a dielectric medium whereby the capacitance between the electrodes is a function of the concentration of water in the oil.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
65 words
A transducer for detecting water in oil, comprising a casing having connection means for connecting the transducer inanoil line to allow continuous flow of oil through the casing, and at least two spaced electrodes positioned within the casing such that oil flowing therethrough acts as a dielectric medium whereby the capacitance between the electrodes is a function of the concentration of water in the oil.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A transducer according to claim 1, in which the casing is cylindrical with said connection means at opposite ends, and the electrodes comprise concentric tubes mounted within the casing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A transducer according to claim 2, in which the ends of the tubes are held in spacers which are interconnected by a central axial tie bar, the outer tube and the tie bar being electrically interconnected to form a single electrode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus for detecting oil in water, comprising at least one transducer in accordance with any preceding claim, and electronic circuitry connected to the transducer to supply electrical excitation and monitor said capacitance.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, including means to compensate for temperature variation in the oil being monitored.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, in which said temperature compensating means comprises a second transducer filled with a reference oil, the two transducers being connected in a bridge circuit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, in which said temperature compensating means comprises an oil temperature detector, a memory holding data representing the variation of capacitance of water-free oil with temperature, and calculating means arranged to normalise the measured capacitance in accordance with the measured temperature.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
36 words
A method of detecting water in oil in a machine having a circuit around which oil is continuously pumped, the method comprising continuously monitoring the capacitance of the oil at a given point in said circuit.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
36 words
A method of detecting water in oil in a machine having a circuit around which oil is continuously pumped, the method comprising continuously monitoring the capacitance of the oil at a given point in said circuit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 8, in which the temperature of the oil is also measured and the measured capacitance modified in dependence on temperature.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3546926A
Cited
FR2251241A5
Cited
EP0019154A1
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EP0070072A2
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EP0072053A2
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EP0080755A1
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