Tuesday, February 12, 2008

US Patent 7328604 - Combined MEMS fluid quality sensor

US Patent 7328604

This patent from Teledyne Technologies teaches the integration of a MEMS viscosity sensor with other sensor components such as a temperature sensor, electrochemical sensor, accelerometer, or lubication sensor to determine the quality of engine oil or hydraulic fluid. Claim 5 reads:

5. A microelectromechanical (MEM) fluid health sensing device, comprising: a MEM viscosity sensor arranged to, when immersed in a fluid, provide an output which varies with the viscosity of said fluid; and a MEM contact switch lubricity sensor arranged to, when immersed in said fluid, provide an output which varies with said fluid's lubricating performance.

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