Monitor for Determining the Contamination Loading in Fluid Power Systems using Fluid Flow Characteristics

摘要

Contamination is the number one reason for operational problems and failures in power fluid systems. Studies show that improving a hydraulic system's cleanliness by four levels on the ISO 4406 scale could reduce system failures by a factor of 10. As with any mechanical system, high reliability can only be assured by efficient and regular maintenance. There is a need for a simple on-line monitor capable of giving a reliable measure of relative fluid contamination level on a continuous basis but sufficiently rugged for operational use in aerospace, military and industrial environments. This paper describes such a device.