In-line Hydraulic Fluid Contamination Multi-Sensor

"Currently, the U.S. Air Force is evaluating a number of sensor-based techniques that can monitor the `health' of hydraulic fluids on-line and in real time. Implementation of such technology will drastically reduce the risk of premature hydraulic systemfailures by providing immediate feedback with respect to the condition of the hydraulic fluid. In addition, DoD agencies have embarked on the development of a new generation of ground support equipment, which will possess an on-board hydraulic fluidpurification unit to ensure clean, contamination free hydraulic fluid is used to service military aircraft. Under the Phase I program, METSS investigated the technical feasibility of combining a particle-counting device, a non-dispersive IR-based watersensor and a fluorescence-based chlorinated hydrocarbon sensor as components of an affordable, multi-sensor configuration to meet the objectives of this DoD initiative. Under the proposed Phase II program, METSS will optimize the performance of each ofthe sensor technologies for the intended application and develop and integrate methodologies to support field integration. Emphasis will be placed on designing and building an integrated sensor system that not only meets the stated performancerequirements, but is also reliable and easy to use and maintain in the field. A computer interface will be integrated into the design to support programmability (e.g., changing the detector limits to su