Advanced Infrared Oil Viscometer

To address U.S. Navy needs for advanced oil viscosity monitoring instrumentation based on infrared spectroscopy and/or other optical means, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Infrared Viscometer (INVISCO) system. This proposed system integrates a multiband infrared spectral module with a neural network processor to infer engine oil viscosity. INVISCO can directly and accurately measure diesel engine lubricant viscosity from infrared measurements. It also points to the causes of viscosity changes. Fast processing allows rapid sampling of viscosity, making it suitable for in-line fluid monitoring. In Phase I, POC will assemble a breadboard INVISCO system and conduct preliminary experiments to prove the advantages of the INVISCO technology by comparison with commercially available viscosity measurement instrumentation. In Phase II, POC will assemble an advanced INVISCO prototype based on the specifications of two infrared measurement instruments provided by the Navy. The advanced prototype will be designed to be integrated into existing optical instruments such as the Portable Fluid Analyzer (PFA) to meet the needs of the U.S. Navy. INVISCO technology will transition into the commercial sector for integration into current and future DoD fluid analysis systems.