Smart Autonomous Miniaturized Contamination Condition Sensor with Embedded Prognostics

The current filter health indicator used in Army aircraft (in particular AH-64 and UH-60 helicopters) is based on a mechanical design concept that was developed over four decades ago. This device is purely mechanical without any smart electronic indicators, ability to provide information about the fluid condition and temperature, data storage capability, or intelligent prognostics. The current indicator is not reliable since it is sensitive to vibrations, which may cause it to issue premature or no alarm signals. In turn, these inaccurate alarms may result in either premature or overdue fluid replacement. The military wastes time and money by unnecessarily replacing fluids when an alarm sounds prematurely, or by replacing damaged critical components due to a high fluid contamination level when the alarm does not sound at all. MultiSENS provides the Army with an automated and smart solution to enable specific maintenance for each aircraft to be completed based on fluid and filter states. MultiSENS provides the user with LED indications of unsafe fluid contamination levels, temperature, and filter differential pressure. Sensor data is stored within the MultiSENS device, and is downloadable to an analysis tool so that the user can identify fluid and fluid filter deterioration trends.