TY - JOUR
TI - Development of dielectric sensor to monitor the engine lubricating oil degradation
AU - Balashanmugam Vasanthan
AU - Gobalakichenin Devaradjane
JN - Thermal Science
PY - 2016
VL - 20
IS - 14
SP - 1061
EP - 1069
PT - Article
AB - Present day practice of following fixed schedules of oil change intervals  could result in loss for the equipment owner, as the oil is not utilized  up-to its maximum useful life. Similarly, the extended use of engine oil  beyond maximum useful life is of high risk, which could lead irreversible and  catastrophic damages to engine parts. Engine oil condition indicates the  condition of engine parts, in any application. Therefore, monitoring the  condition of the oil in real time is of paramount importance. Researchers had  established that the engine oil degradation correlates with change in  dielectric property of the engine oil. The important factor to realize the  on-line real time monitoring of the changes in dielectric property of the  engine oil is, the cost of dielectric sensor within affordable limit for an  operator. Current work aims at developing such a low cost affordable  dielectric sensor and engine oil samples (SAE 15W40 grade) were collected  from durability test engines used in engine test rig and on-road vehicles.  These samples were tested for physical and chemical properties. Any changes  in the properties, of engine oil monitored, indicate that it undergoes  degradation due to usage. A prototype of capacitive type sensor was developed  and validated with reference fluids. The dielectric values measured using  proto type sensor in the used oil samples show a correlation with change in  physical properties. This trend and thresholds of dielectric provides  effective plat form to monitor the engine oil degradation. The sensor could  be coupled to a suitable warning device by incorporating specific algorithms.