Monitoring Fluid System Debris Via Diagnostic Filters

摘要

The utility of the filter element as a diagnostic tool to augment existingdiagnostic techniques for monitoring fluid system debris is discussed. Two specific ways of utilizing the filter element for the above purpose are presented: 1) The incorporation of a removable(pull-out) diagnostic layer of porous medium, in conjunction with the regular filter element medium pack, allowing for on-site inspection of the collected debris and hence, delineation of 'abnormal' fluid system component wear and/or impending component failure. The above can assist operators in preventive maintenance and trouble shooting', and augment existing diagnostic techniques including chip detection and spectrometric fluid analysis. 2) The online monitoring of the rate of contaminant loading of the filter element via measurement of the filter element differential pressure in conjunction with the fluid temperature and flow rate. This will assist operators in identifying abnormal' contaminant loading conditions that may be associated with excessive contaminant ingression or accelerated fluid system component wear once a normal' baseline trend for filter element differential pressure build-up in a fluid system is established. This will also assist operators in optimizing filter element service life. It is anticipated that online monitoring of filter elements incorporating diagnostic layers will significantly augment existing diagnostic techniques for fluid systems.