Innovative Lubricant Quality Monitoring Using Optical Computing

In this Phase II program Foster-Miller will design, build and install on Naval platforms a radically different type of oil condition monitor, the Lubricant Quality Sensor (LQS). This sensor will be designed to probe the fluid quality of a variety of synthetic and diesel lubricants applicable to both military and commercial platforms. The LQS builds on the successful Phase I demonstration of the application of optical computing techniques to probing the presence of water and soot in MIL-L-9000 diesel lubricating oil in a miniature, lightweight sensor package. The Phase II program will be targeted to designing and proving the LQS as a comprehensive fluid condition sensor for on-engine applications and the package optimization and device hardening of the system for broad engine applicability. These Phase II results will be achieved through the design and growth of novel optical elements which probe overall lubricant quality and provide a quantitative measure of the individual degradation components which comprise the fluid's condition. (P-030246)