A Novel Approach to Predictive Maintenance: A Portable, Multi-Component MEMS Sensor for On-Line Monitoring of Fluid Condition in Hydraulic and Lubricating Systems

On-going pressure to reduce operating costs and increasing concerns about the environment are forcing industrial equipment operators to condition monitoring procedures and improve maintenance practices to achieve optimal fluid and component service life. Realization of these goals without compromising system performance or component life often requires that new and more sophisticated condition monitoring devices need to be used. Increasingly, these can be installed directly in-line, which eliminates delays associated with off-line analysis, decreases response time, and facilitates the decision-making process should remedial action prove necessary. This paper describes operational principles of a rugged micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) sensor that comprises four sensing elements suitable for in-line condition monitoring of hydraulic and lubricating oils. Preliminary laboratory data suggest that the sensor exhibits an excellent correlation with conventional laboratory viscosity and acid number (AN) dat...