Lubrication fluids used in high-performance engines chemically degrade over time and eventually lose their effectiveness, while becoming a receptor for ferrous debris worn from moving parts. Traditionally, vehicles rely on laboratory-based techniques for the chemical evaluation of lubricants, accomplished by removing samples from the engine, transporting them to a laboratory, and evaluating them against established standards. The government organization defining these standards, the Joint Oil Analysis Program (JOAP), has shown that infrared spectroscopic analysis of synthetic lubricants could replace traditional physical property tests.
Under an Air Force program, Foster-Miller designed and fabricated a fully functional engineering prototype on-line infrared (IR) oil condition monitor (OCM) to measure six important oil properties. This OCM featured a novel robust miniaturized IR spectrometer which tracked critical oil properties established by JOAP and was successfully tested on a T-63 Allison turboshaft engine.
Following the Phase II program and significant company investment, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) provided additional funding to develop a novel Total Oil Monitoring Sensor (TOMS) for diesel engines. The TOMS effort will result in a unique integrated OCM and Oil Debris Monitor (ODM) system that is small, lightweight, rugged and cost effective to meet the needs of on-board engines. TOMS will have the ability to detect and measure wear materials, contaminants, and the lubricant condition. In conjunction with the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), multiple TOMS units have been installed for test and evaluation on several U.S. Navy ships including the USS Ramage, USS Anzio, and USS Gunston Hall. TOMS will provide the Navy with the ability to establish predictive maintenance programs based on the condition of their oil rather than based on hours of operation or a preset schedule. Extending oil change intervals will decrease equipment downtime, reduce the amount of oil disposed, and ultimately reduce equipment life cycle costs.
Foster-Miller is actively marketing TOMS to marine applications and power generation equipment.
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