Sight Glass Monitoring Pod for In-Service Machine Fluid Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring and sampling machine fluids, such as lubricants, are inefficient, costly, and time-consuming, often requiring machine shutdowns and mixing with sediment, making it difficult to assess fluid condition effectively.
Innovation Solution
A condition monitoring pod with a transparent sight glass and multiple ports for visual inspection and sampling, equipped with a probe that rusts in the presence of water and a magnetic plug to attract metal debris, allowing for on-site monitoring and sampling without interrupting machine operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If sampling is taken from the bottom of the sump, then sampling can be performed, but the lubricant mixes with sediment making effective monitoring difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical bottom-sump sampling to horizontal mid-stream sampling at the oil level surface. The sight glass and sampling port are positioned at the oil level rather than at the bottom, allowing observation and sampling of clean, circulating lubricant that has not settled with debris and contaminants.
2Measurement precision
If the machine is stopped or drained for sampling, then complete fluid analysis can be performed, but production is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The sight glass and sampling system are designed to operate continuously during machine operation. The transparent sight glass allows real-time observation of lubricant flow, clarity, and contaminants while the machine runs, and sampling can be performed through the sampling port without shutting down the system, maintaining continuous production.
3Quantity of substance
If traditional sampling methods are used, then fluid can be collected, but the process is time consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The sight glass provides self-monitoring capability where operators can visually inspect lubricant condition (clarity, color, contaminants, flow patterns) directly through the transparent glass without requiring specialized equipment or extensive processing. This immediate visual assessment eliminates time-consuming laboratory analysis for routine monitoring.
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 efficient, cost-effective, and non-disruptive monitoring and sampling of machine fluids, providing real-time visual inspection and analysis of fluid condition, including water presence and debris, without halting machine operations.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic plug to attract metal debris
Implementation Method 2
a probe that rusts in the presence of water
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses are disclosed including an apparatus for machine fluid monitoring or sampling comprising a transparent sight glass attachable to a machine such that machine fluid is transferable to the sight glass. The sight glass is at least partially constructed of one or more materials that is transparent to light in a visible region. The sight glass has an open first end, a closed second end, an inside surface and an outside surface extending from the open first end to the closed second end and across the closed second end, the sight glass at least partially surrounds a cavity within the sight glass, the inside surface and the outside surface of the closed second end being parallel. The closed second end is constructed of the one or more materials that are transparent to light in the visible region to allow inspection of machine fluid through the closed second end.