For ecological and economic reasons, it would be useful to be able to assess the quality of lubricating oils in heavy-duty industrial gears in-situ. However, sensor systems which could satisfactorily manage this task are not yet available. The objective of this study was to draw up approaches for solving this task and, based on these, to develop a viable sensor concept. Infrared spectroscopy was considered to hold the greatest potential, because it enables a direct relationship to the chemical composition of the lubricant. By using the transmission measurement, high measuring sensitivity is achieved with simultaneously low susceptibility to deposits. The still rarely used linear variable filters are used as the spectroscope, which are, however, becoming increasingly important in environmental analysis, especially in hand-held units. These interference filters, multi-layered and based on a wedge-shape allow an extremely compact, unsusceptible and cost-effective sensor to be built. On the basis of measurement series it is shown, among other things, that when an oil change is made it is possible to identify the lubricant and the oil aging during operation by means of additive depletion and oil oxidation. The measuring cell can be opened for filling and cleaning and can also be individually adjusted during the measuring procedure. A sensor with linear variable filter positioned in the gear, like the one presented here, is not yet known. The work initially distinguishes itself from research in this field to date, describes the theoretical principles of the measurement concept, explains the measurement setup and then uses measurement series to illustrate its suitability for the named application.
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For ecological and economic reasons, it would be useful to be able to assess the quality of lubricating oils in heavy-duty industrial gears in-situ. However, sensor systems which could satisfactorily manage this task are not yet available. The objective of this study was to draw up approaches for solving this task and, based on these, to develop a viable sensor concept. Infrared spectroscopy was considered to hold the greatest potential, because it enables a direct relationship to the chemical c...
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