Sensors & Electronics
Physical Property Sensors
Lubricant Layer Thickness Monitor (128)
Problem: Non-contact, real-time method needed to monitor the lubrication layer thickness on moving machinery
Project Activity Scope (from Technical Overview Chart): Mechanisms through Instruments
PNNL Solution:
- Demonstrated that, under UV stimulation, lubricant fluorescence is proportional to layer thickness
- Determined scaling factor
- Developed fiber-optic probe with UV light source to determine lubricant thickness
- NOTE: Innovation was granted US patent #4,956,558
Capabilities Employed to Meet Client Needs: Optical interactions with materials; spectral fluorescence characterization of materials (optimal excitation and emission wavelengths); fiber optics; optical system design; electronic design; probe mechanical design; system integration.
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Contact: Les Kirihara
