An oil quality on-line monitoring device applied to a rail locomotive

By designing an online oil quality monitoring device with parallel oil inlet pipes, integrated sensor modules, and oil outlet pipes on rail locomotives, the problem of real-time detection of oil quality on rail locomotives has been solved, achieving real-time and comprehensive monitoring and reducing maintenance costs and economic losses.

CN224553274UActive Publication Date: 2026-07-24吴春玲
View PDF 0 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Utility models(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
吴春玲
Filing Date
2025-06-10
Publication Date
2026-07-24

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Current technology cannot achieve real-time online detection of oil quality in rail locomotives, resulting in high maintenance costs and the potential for paralyzing the entire railway line, leading to significant economic losses.

Method used

Design an online oil quality monitoring device including an oil inlet pipe, an integrated sensing module, and an oil outlet pipe. The integrated sensing module includes detection modules for metal wear particles, viscosity, density, moisture, and dielectric constant. It is connected to the main pipeline of the heat exchanger through a parallel structure and adopts a three-way connector and a flow control valve, which is suitable for the complex operating environment of rail locomotives.

Benefits of technology

It enables real-time and comprehensive monitoring of the oil quality of rail locomotives, avoids oil circuit blockage, reduces installation costs, and can detect equipment wear in a timely manner to avoid economic losses.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure CN224553274U_ABST
    Figure CN224553274U_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The utility model discloses an oil quality on -line monitoring devices for track locomotive is applied to, including oil inlet pipe, integrated sensing module and oil outlet pipe, the oil inlet pipe one end with the oil inlet of heat exchanger intercommunication, the other end with integrated sensing module one end intercommunication, integrated sensing module's other end with oil outlet pipe one end intercommunication, oil outlet pipe's other end with the oil outlet of heat exchanger intercommunication, by oil inlet pipe, integrated sensing module and oil outlet pipe form the passage with main pipeline of heat exchanger parallel connection. The utility model discloses through integrated sensing module can realize the comprehensive, accurate monitoring to oil product key index, can also avoid causing the blockage to main oil way simultaneously, guarantee the smooth progress of detection, simultaneously, the utility model discloses need not to the structure of existing track locomotive to complete installation just can improve greatly, has saved the installation cost, and satisfies the monitoring demand under the complex operation condition of track locomotive.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of oil quality monitoring technology, and in particular to an online oil quality monitoring device for use in rail locomotives. Background Technology

[0002] During operation, diesel fuel, cooling water, and metal welding particles can contaminate the lubricating oil in the engine, gearbox, and other components of a rail locomotive. The performance of this lubricating oil directly affects the lifespan of critical locomotive components and operational safety. Currently, rail locomotive oil quality testing is typically conducted manually through periodic sampling, which cannot provide real-time online monitoring. The equipment used in rail locomotives can cost hundreds of thousands of yuan; failure to detect and address minor issues promptly leads to excessively high maintenance costs. Furthermore, if a rail locomotive is unable to continue operating due to oil quality problems, it can paralyze the entire railway line, resulting in significant economic losses. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a device capable of real-time online monitoring of rail locomotive oil quality. Utility Model Content

[0003] This invention provides an online oil quality monitoring device for rail locomotives, overcoming the technical problem that existing oil quality monitoring devices cannot meet the monitoring needs of rail locomotives under complex operating conditions.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of this utility model is as follows:

[0005] An online oil quality monitoring device for use in rail locomotives includes an oil inlet pipe, an integrated sensing module, and an oil outlet pipe;

[0006] One end of the oil inlet pipe is connected to the oil inlet of the heat exchanger, and the other end is connected to one end of the integrated sensing module. The other end of the integrated sensing module is connected to one end of the oil outlet pipe, and the other end of the oil outlet pipe is connected to the oil outlet of the heat exchanger.

[0007] The passage formed by the oil inlet pipe, the integrated sensing module, and the oil outlet pipe is connected in parallel with the main pipeline of the heat exchanger;

[0008] The integrated sensing module includes a metal wear particle detection module for detecting the content of ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic metal wear particles in lubricating oil; a viscosity-density detection module for detecting the viscosity and density of lubricating oil; a trace moisture detection module for detecting the water content in lubricating oil by measuring the water activity in the lubricating oil; and a dielectric constant detection module for detecting the water content of lubricating oil by measuring the dielectric constant of the lubricating oil.

[0009] Furthermore, both the inlet and outlet oil pipes are equipped with adjustable flow control valves.

[0010] Furthermore, the oil inlet pipe and oil outlet pipe are connected to the oil inlet and oil outlet of the heat exchanger via tee connectors.

[0011] Furthermore, the two ends of the integrated sensing module are connected to the oil inlet pipe and the oil outlet pipe via threaded or flanged structures.

[0012] Furthermore, it also includes a mounting bracket for fixing the integrated sensing module, which is fixed inside the railcar by the mounting bracket.

[0013] Furthermore, it also includes several fixing clamps for fixing the oil inlet pipe and the oil outlet pipe, which are fixed inside the railcar by the several fixing clamps.

[0014] Beneficial effects: This utility model is equipped with an oil inlet pipe, an integrated sensing module, and an oil outlet pipe. The passage formed by the oil inlet pipe, the integrated sensing module, and the oil outlet pipe is connected in parallel with the main pipeline of the heat exchanger. The integrated sensing module enables comprehensive and accurate monitoring of key oil indicators while avoiding blockage of the main oil pipeline, ensuring smooth testing. Furthermore, this utility model can be installed without significant modifications to the existing rail locomotive structure, saving installation costs and meeting the monitoring needs of rail locomotives under complex operating conditions. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an online oil quality monitoring device for rail locomotives according to this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0017] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0018] This embodiment provides an online oil quality monitoring device for use in rail locomotives, such as... Figure 1 As shown, it includes an oil inlet pipe, an integrated sensing module, and an oil outlet pipe;

[0019] One end of the oil inlet pipe is connected to the oil inlet of the heat exchanger, and the other end is connected to one end of the integrated sensing module. The other end of the integrated sensing module is connected to one end of the oil outlet pipe, and the other end of the oil outlet pipe is connected to the oil outlet of the heat exchanger.

[0020] The passage formed by the oil inlet pipe, the integrated sensing module, and the oil outlet pipe is connected in parallel with the main pipeline of the heat exchanger;

[0021] The integrated sensing module includes a metal wear particle detection module for detecting the content of ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic metal wear particles in lubricating oil; a viscosity-density detection module for detecting the viscosity and density of lubricating oil; a trace moisture detection module for detecting the water content in lubricating oil by measuring the water activity in the lubricating oil; and a dielectric constant detection module for detecting the water content of lubricating oil by measuring the dielectric constant of the lubricating oil.

[0022] Specifically, this embodiment, considering the complex scenario of a rail locomotive, implements online monitoring of lubricating oil quality with minimal modifications. Existing rail locomotives include a power source oil tank, oil filter, and heat exchanger connected in series. The power source oil tank is the engine. The lubricating oil needs to be filtered through the oil filter and cooled by the heat exchanger before entering the engine. The lubricating oil exiting the engine recirculates back into the oil filter and heat exchanger. During this circulation process, diesel fuel from the engine and moisture from the heat exchanger may enter the lubricating oil. Furthermore, welding slag particles may remain in some engine pipes. These slag particles cannot be completely removed at the factory. During use, as the lubricating oil is flushed, these particles enter the lubricating oil, leading to lubricating oil contamination. The decline in lubricating oil quality renders it ineffective at lubrication, leading to increased friction between equipment and severe wear. Considering these factors, real-time monitoring of oil quality is crucial for ensuring normal equipment operation. Therefore, this embodiment incorporates an online oil quality monitoring device into the circulation process. By installing an inlet pipe, an integrated sensor module, and an outlet pipe, real-time oil quality monitoring is possible. Furthermore, since the existing heat exchanger in the rail locomotive is connected to the differential pressure gauge via a straight connector, this embodiment replaces the straight connector with a tee connector. This retains the differential pressure gauge function while directly connecting the inlet and outlet pipes to the heat exchanger, significantly reducing modification costs. Additionally, this bypass for oil quality monitoring avoids potential blockages caused by the integrated sensor module detaching.

[0023] Specifically, in this embodiment, the metal wear particle detection module incorporates multiple high-performance coil groups in a resonant state, as well as a high-sensitivity sampling unit, a bandpass filter unit, a phase and amplitude comparison unit, a signal amplification unit, a low-pass filter unit, and a signal extraction unit connected in sequence. It can capture and statistically analyze 40μm ferromagnetic wear particles and 150μm non-ferromagnetic metal wear particle signals in real time, achieving high-precision identification of ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic particles. This ensures timely detection of equipment wear, enabling maintenance personnel to conduct timely inspections and troubleshooting, and preventing further damage.

[0024] Specifically, in this embodiment, the viscosity density detection module adopts a piezoelectric vibration working mode, maintains the resonance state by compensating the oscillator, and realizes parameter measurement by utilizing the functional relationship between vibration period and density, vibration quality factor and viscosity, and uses NIST standard to calibrate the parameters.

[0025] Specifically, in this embodiment, the trace moisture detection module uses a polymeric polyimide film capacitor to measure the water activity in oil, and combines it with a PT100 A-grade platinum resistance thermometer to achieve real-time detection of trace moisture at the ppm level.

[0026] Specifically, in this embodiment, the dielectric constant detection module uses interdigitated gold electrodes paired with a 24-bit high-resolution capacitor sampling chip to achieve simultaneous detection of the dielectric constant and water content of the oil.

[0027] Specifically, since the electromagnetic interference from rail locomotives is strong and can easily interfere with sensors, this embodiment uses a trace moisture detection module and a dielectric constant detection module to fully detect the moisture in the lubricating oil and ensure the accuracy of the detection results.

[0028] Specifically, in this embodiment, the integrated sensing module integrates oil passage channels and multiple parameter detection functions such as metal wear particles, viscosity, density, trace moisture, and dielectric constant, which can comprehensively reflect the health status of the oil. At the same time, the integrated sensing module adopts modular integrated packaging and has an IP67 protection rating, which is suitable for the complex operating environment of rail locomotives to ensure the accuracy of the detection results.

[0029] In a specific embodiment, both the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe are equipped with adjustable flow control valves.

[0030] Specifically, due to the high lubricant requirements of rail locomotives, their lubricant consumption is relatively high. Because of the large amount of lubricant, the oil pressure entering the oil inlet pipe is also relatively high, which can cause an impact on the integrated sensing module flowing through it, thereby affecting the measurement accuracy. Therefore, this embodiment adjusts the sampling flow rate of the oil by setting flow control valves on the oil inlet and outlet pipes, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the detection results.

[0031] In a specific embodiment, the oil inlet pipe and the oil outlet pipe are connected to the oil inlet and the oil outlet of the heat exchanger via tee connectors.

[0032] Specifically, the diameter of the tee connector is consistent with the diameter of the inlet and outlet pipes. In this embodiment, preferably, the diameter of the inlet and outlet pipes is 12mm, so as to reduce the impact of oil pressure on the accuracy of the integrated sensing module while ensuring smooth sampling.

[0033] In a specific embodiment, the two ends of the integrated sensing module are connected to the oil inlet pipe and the oil outlet pipe via threaded or flanged structures.

[0034] Specifically, in this embodiment, the two ends of the integrated sensing module are configured as a combination of thread and flange. The two ends of the integrated sensing module are provided with oil inlets, which are configured as internal thread structures. A flange structure is provided in the circumferential position of the oil inlets, ensuring that the oil inlet pipe and oil outlet pipe can be connected to the integrated sensing module in multiple ways, making the installation method more flexible.

[0035] In a specific embodiment, the online oil quality monitoring device further includes a fixing bracket for fixing the integrated sensing module, which is fixed inside the rail locomotive by the fixing bracket.

[0036] Specifically, in this embodiment, preferably, the existing structure of the heat exchanger is utilized. Two bolts on the heat exchanger are removed, and a corresponding fixing bracket is designed and connected to the bolts. The integrated sensing module is then fixed to the fixing bracket. Simultaneously, a shock-absorbing structure is installed on the end face where the integrated sensing module contacts the fixing bracket to ensure the accuracy of the detection results. In practice, the installation position of the integrated sensing module can be selected according to the specific structure of the rail locomotive. The structure of the fixing bracket is a conventional support structure and will not be described in detail here.

[0037] In a specific embodiment, the online oil quality monitoring device further includes several fixing clamps for fixing the oil inlet pipe and the oil outlet pipe, which are fixed inside the railcar by the several fixing clamps.

[0038] Specifically, fixing the inlet and outlet pipes with clamps can extend their service life and ensure safety.

[0039] Specifically, in this embodiment, the online oil quality monitoring device further includes a data processing module, a display module, a communication module, and an alarm module;

[0040] Specifically, the data processing module is electrically connected to the integrated sensing module to receive detection data, perform temperature compensation, data calibration, and comprehensive analysis; the display module is electrically connected to the data processing module to display multi-parameter detection results in real time; the communication module is electrically connected to the data processing module to send detection data to the remote monitoring center (oil quality testing microcomputer); and the alarm module is electrically connected to the data processing module. The data processing module has preset threshold ranges for each detection parameter. When the detection data exceeds the set threshold, the main controller will control the alarm module to issue an alarm signal to ensure that maintenance personnel can promptly troubleshoot minor problems and avoid serious economic losses.

[0041] In this embodiment, the communication cable is a special cable that is resistant to electromagnetic interference to ensure the smooth transmission of the detection signal.

[0042] Specifically, the data processing module uses an ARM Cortex-M7 processor with a built-in temperature compensation algorithm and a multi-parameter fusion analysis model; the display module uses a 5-inch color touch screen; the communication module supports 4G and Bluetooth dual modes; and the alarm module uses an audible and visual alarm.

[0043] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and are not intended to limit it. Although the utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model.

Claims

1. An online oil quality monitoring device for use in rail locomotives, characterized in that, Includes an oil inlet pipe, an integrated sensor module, and an oil outlet pipe; One end of the oil inlet pipe is connected to the oil inlet of the heat exchanger, and the other end is connected to one end of the integrated sensing module. The other end of the integrated sensing module is connected to one end of the oil outlet pipe, and the other end of the oil outlet pipe is connected to the oil outlet of the heat exchanger. The passage formed by the oil inlet pipe, the integrated sensing module, and the oil outlet pipe is connected in parallel with the main pipeline of the heat exchanger; The integrated sensing module includes a metal wear particle detection module for detecting the content of ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic metal wear particles in lubricating oil; a viscosity-density detection module for detecting the viscosity and density of lubricating oil; a trace moisture detection module for detecting the water content in lubricating oil by measuring the water activity in the lubricating oil; and a dielectric constant detection module for detecting the water content of lubricating oil by measuring the dielectric constant of the lubricating oil.

2. The online oil quality monitoring device for rail locomotives according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the inlet and outlet pipes are equipped with adjustable flow control valves.

3. The online oil quality monitoring device for rail locomotives according to claim 1, characterized in that, The oil inlet and outlet pipes are connected to the oil inlet and outlet of the heat exchanger via tee fittings.

4. The online oil quality monitoring device for rail locomotives according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two ends of the integrated sensing module are connected to the oil inlet pipe and the oil outlet pipe via threaded or flanged structures.

5. The online oil quality monitoring device for rail locomotives according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a mounting bracket for fixing the integrated sensing module, which is fixed inside the railcar by the mounting bracket.

6. The online oil quality monitoring device for rail locomotives according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes several fixing clamps for fixing the oil inlet pipe and the oil outlet pipe, which are fixed inside the railcar by the several fixing clamps.