Lubricant Basicity Monitoring via Buffer Tank and Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring the basicity of lubricants in equipment, such as ship engines, are complex, require trained personnel, and are not conducive to automation, making it difficult to efficiently and accurately determine the basicity index, especially in remote or onboard settings.
Innovation Solution
An installation comprising a lubricant circulation pipe connected to a buffer tank and a basicity index sensor, which accumulates a sufficient quantity of lubricant for analysis, allowing for autonomous and simplified monitoring of the basicity index without the need for frequent sampling or elaborate equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sophisticated equipment is embarked on a ship to monitor basicity index, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential measurement function from complex laboratory equipment and implements it through a simplified sensor system that directly monitors basicity index in the lubricant circulation line, eliminating the need for elaborate sampling and laboratory analysis equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the lubricant's own circulation through the engine and recovery tank to provide continuous sampling, eliminating the need for manual sampling operations and complex sample preparation equipment
2Device complexity
If manual sampling and analysis is performed during stopovers, then equipment complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates due to frequent interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous monitoring of basicity index through the lubricant circulation system, allowing real-time analysis during engine operation without requiring stopovers or interruptions to the monitoring process
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual sampling and laboratory analysis with an automated sensor-based measurement system that continuously monitors basicity index in the lubricant circulation line
3Measurement precision
If sophisticated equipment is used for basicity analysis, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates requiring trained personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs continuous monitoring of basicity index through the lubricant circulation system, eliminating the need for trained personnel to manually operate complex equipment or interpret results
4Device complexity
If low flow rate of oil leaving the engine is used for measurement, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement reliability deteriorates due to insufficient flow rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a buffer tank that accumulates lubricant before measurement, ensuring sufficient quantity and flow rate is available for reliable sensor analysis, while the system remains relatively simple in design
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate and automated monitoring of the basicity index, reducing personnel workload and simplifying the process, ensuring reliable lubricant condition assessment even in challenging environments like ship engines.
Implementation Method 1
a buffer tank for accumulating the lubricant
Implementation Method 2
at least one sensor for determining the basicity index of the lubricant
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a facility (2) for monitoring the variation in the basicity of a lubricant circulating in a device (M) which comprises at least one pipe (4) for circulating (F1) the lubricant, said pipe being connected, upstream, to the device (M) and, downstream, to an oil pan (6), as well as at least one sensor (48) for determining the basicity index of the lubricant. The facility furthermore includes a first valve (20) for controlled interruption of the circulation (F1) of the lubricant in the pipe (4), a buffer tank (26) for accumulating lubricant, a first bypass line (28) connected to the pipe (4) upstream from the first valve (20), as well as to the buffer tank (26). The facility likewise comprises a second valve (32) for controlled interruption of the circulation of the lubricant in the first bypass line (28), a second line (42) for discharging lubricant, from the buffer tank (26) to the oil pan (6), arranged downstream from the first bypass line (28), and a third valve (44) for controlled interruption of the circulation of the lubricant in the second discharge line (42). The sensor (48) is arranged on the second discharge line (42) and makes it possible to determine the basicity index of the lubricant at the outlet of the buffer tank (26).