Single Electrode Conductivity Technique (207) 

Researchers at the University of Dayton Research Institute have developed a novel electronic circuit to monitor the conductivity of highly-resistive organic fluids in high noise environments where conventional conductivity techniques fail to function. The single electrode placed in contact with the flowing or static fluid is rugged, inexpensive, and can be shaped to fit any convenient system opening. The single electrode is electrically connected to the ground by the monitored fluid and the current that flows between the electrode and ground is monitored at the single electrode. The employment of the ground in the measuring circuit of the single electrode results in the high signal/noise ratio, allowing the test to be used in noisy environments such as jet engines or deep fat fryers in fast food restaurants.

The single electrode conductivity technique (SECT) has numerous on-line and off-site monitoring applications, including trend degradation and deposition in engine fuel and lubrication systems, detection of coolant leakage in automotive engine lubrication systems, the ability to monitor oxidative degradation of cooking oil, and detection of insoluble water in hydraulic fluid systems. The SECT has been selected as the oil degradation/coking sensor for the engine being designed for the U.S. Joint Strike Fighter.

U.S. Patent 5,933,016 issued August 3, 1999.

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