Online monitoring of liquid operating media is an essential new tool to increase engine and asset efficiency. Determining oil quality on an ongoing basis and nearly in real-time with embedded and portable oil assessment devices operated by mechanic personnel provides the operational flexibility and rapid means of screening oil quality that is key to establishing a program to provide real-time condition based monitoring products for the care of all assets (gearboxes, bearings, turbines, et. al). This is in contrast to the conventional practices that rely on analysis of oil samples in off-site laboratories. The SenGenuity Fluid Condition Sensor equipped engines and assets will reduce the cost of ownership and minimize the consumption of natural resources by allowing operators to maximize the useful life of their engine and asset oil. FCS™ measures directly and individually the acoustic viscosity (AV) using Acoustic Wave (AW) technology while at the same time using a common electrode design to measure dielectric and conductivity (and also temperature). The sensors are unaffected by shock or vibration or by flow conditions so they can be used in harsh operating conditions to measure viscosity from 0 to 400 AV (with optional reporting in absolute or kinematic viscosity values) with a temperature range of -25° to 125° with a high degree of accuracy. At the same time, sensor measurements are not affected by particulates in the oil. The highly sensitive bolt-on FCS™ in an online configuration provides the benefits of fast result reporting, simple installation and advantageous cost/benefit relation.

The next generation fluid condition sensor, FCS, carries the potential of being able to provide the necessary information relating to viscosity, fuel dilution and water contamination levels to personnel to make decisions in field applications leading to extension of machine life and maintenance schedules while complimenting the other oil quality parameter data stream obtained from the labs.

Finally, it important to note that due to viscosity, conductivity and dielectric measurement capabilities, the FCS can also conduct fuel quality and fuel differentiation sensing functions for the transportation and industrial markets.

Features of the FCS™ include:

• ½ in NPT (and metric equivalent) threaded end with options for straight-thread with o-ring face seal design.
• Vibration and shock rating equivalent to standard ratings present on industrial diesel gen-sets.
• Various options of standard serial and analog communication protocols.
• Optional capability of explosion proof rating.
• Manufactured for high volume production.

We are seeking pilot OEM customers for the FCS™. Please contact us at sensors@sengenuity.com for additional information.