Self-diagnostic System For Conditioned Maintenance Of Machines Operating Under Intermittent Load

Abstract

A system and method for determining the condition of lubricating oil in the oil reservoir of an oil-utilizing mechanism, said system comprising: sensor means for sensing the chemical composition of oil vapor in the head space of the oil reservoir; temperature probes for sensing the temperature of the oil and of the sensor means; microprocessor means connected to the sensor means and temperature probes for creating a vapor signature by means of a pattern recognition algorithm representing the chemical composition of the vapor in the head space; and display means for producing a discernable indication to an operator if the processor means determines that the vapor signature deviates from predetermined baseline parameters. The system is initiated when the oil-utilizing mechanism is shut off, and senses conditions periodically during the cool-down phase of the machine.