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, the U.S. Air Force has embarked on the development of a new generation of ground support equipment, which will possess an on-board hydraulic fluidpurification unit to assure that clean, contamination free hydraulic fluid is used to service military aircraft. However, the key component required to achieve these goals, namely an in-line hydraulic fluid multi-sensor capable of determining the level ofparticulate contamination, water concentration, and chlorinated solvent concentration, has yet to be developed. The primary objective of the proposed research is to demonstrate the capabilities of three individual contaminant sensor techniques to meet therequirements of the U.S. Air Force, and to provide ample support for the feasibility of combining these techniques into a multi-sensor capable of monitoring the contaminant levels of aerospace hydraulic fluids on-line and in real time. The proposed programwill assist in providing more rapid, accurate and reliable information with respect to the condition of aerospace hydraulic fluids used in military aircraft by measuring the level of contamination on-line and in real time. In addition, as a stand-alonedevice, this technology will enable the direct determination of hydraulic fluid quality in aircraft. It is expected that similar benefits will be afforded by this technology in the commercial airline industry, as well as in other industries that utilizehydraulic fluid power. Conceptually, it may be possible to extend this technology into other fluid systems, such as conventional motor oil.