JP2009002861A - Inspection apparatus of liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To appropriately measure the physical property of liquid such as lubricating oil of an engine without complicating the apparatus structure. <P>SOLUTION: A degradation diagnosis apparatus S is used for monitoring the degradation degree of the lubricating oil 11 used for the engine 10, and has an oil circulation system 20 and a measuring instrument 30. The oil circulation system 20 extracts part of the lubricating oil 11 as oil to be inspected, and returns it to the engine 10 through a circulation route via the measuring instrument 30. The oil to be inspected is guided to an oil passage 32 of a block member 31 where the inlet section 32i is arranged on the lower side and the outlet section 32out is arranged on the upper side. When the oil to be inspected passes through the oil passage 32, the inspection light is radiated via a first light-guide member, and the inspection light having transmitted through the oil to be inspected is received via a second light-guide member. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an inspection apparatus for measuring physical properties of various liquids, and more particularly to an inspection apparatus suitable for determining the degree of deterioration or remaining life of lubricating oil.

  For example, in an engine such as a gas engine for cogeneration (CGS), a gasoline engine, or a diesel engine, lubricating oil is used for friction reduction, cooling, or the like. This lubricating oil deteriorates with use, and causes corrosion and wear of the piston ring and cam, a decrease in lubrication performance, an increase in fuel consumption rate, and further engine troubles. Therefore, it is necessary to replace the lubricating oil in a timely manner. The deterioration of the lubricating oil generally progresses as the operating time becomes longer, but the degree of progress of deterioration differs depending on the use conditions of the engine. For example, when the frequency of high load operation is high or when poor fuel is used, the lubricating oil deteriorates relatively quickly.

  By the way, in a stationary engine that is installed at a fixed location, such as a gas engine for CGS, a maintenance company goes to the installation location to perform oil sampling, analyze this, and then replace the oil as necessary. ing. Alternatively, the oil change may be performed based on a predetermined operation time or number of days regardless of the degree of deterioration. However, in the former case, local oil sampling work is burdened to judge the degree of deterioration of the lubricating oil, and in the latter case, the oil may be changed when the lubricating oil has not reached the end of its life. There is a bug.

Accordingly, there is a need for a deterioration diagnosis device that can attach a sensor for determining the degree of deterioration of lubricating oil to a gas engine and can accurately determine the oil replacement time remotely. Conventionally, as an oil deterioration sensor, a pair of glass rods are immersed in oil in a state of being opposed to each other with a gap, and the inspection light is irradiated to the oil through the glass rod and the transmitted light is detected, and the absorbance is detected. Or what performs deterioration determination based on the transmitted light quantity is known (for example, patent document 1). In general, the light output of the light emitting element that generates inspection light and the light receiving element that receives the inspection light varies in light output depending on the environmental temperature. By adopting such a configuration in which a glass rod is interposed, the light emitting element and the light receiving element are adopted. The element can be made less susceptible to heat.
JP-A-6-281575

  However, unlike the case where a pair of glass rods are immersed in the oil reservoir, for example, a part of the lubricating oil is extracted from the gas engine as the oil to be inspected, and the deterioration of the oil to be inspected is determined in a predetermined circulation path. When employing a system in which the oil to be inspected is returned to the engine, it may be difficult to circulate the oil to be inspected while reliably filling the gap of the glass rod with the oil to be inspected. For example, if air is embraced and the air is positioned in the gap, an accurate oil deterioration determination cannot be performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid inspection apparatus capable of accurately measuring the physical properties of the liquid without complicating the structure of the apparatus. .

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid inspection apparatus that extracts a part of the liquid as a liquid to be inspected from an apparatus in which the liquid is stored and returns the liquid to be inspected to the apparatus through a predetermined circulation path. An inspection means that is provided in the middle of the circulation path and measures physical properties of the liquid to be inspected by transmitting predetermined inspection light to the liquid to be inspected, and the liquid circulation system includes A block member having a conduit for circulating the liquid to be inspected, and the inspection means having a liquid passage through which the liquid to be inspected passes at a predetermined flow rate. The first light guide member and the rod-shaped first and second light guide members, each of which is arranged so that one end face thereof faces the liquid passage and the one end face faces each other with a gap therebetween. Before being placed on the other end side of the member A light-emitting element that emits inspection light; and a light-receiving element that is disposed on the other end face side of the second light guide member and receives the inspection light, wherein the block member has a height position on the inlet side of the liquid passage Is installed so that the height position on the outlet side is on the upper side, the upstream side of the conduit is connected to the inlet side of the liquid passage, and the downstream side of the conduit is connected to the outlet side of the liquid passage. It is characterized by.

  According to this configuration, the liquid to be inspected extracted from the device is guided to the liquid passage inlet side of the block member through the pipe of the liquid circulation system. Thereafter, the liquid to be inspected passes through the gap between the first and second light guide members. At that time, the inspection light is irradiated through the first light guide member by the light emitting element and transmitted through the liquid to be inspected. Is received by the light receiving element through the second light guide member. Thereafter, the liquid to be inspected is returned to the device through the pipe line from the liquid passage outlet side.

  In this way, by projecting and receiving the inspection light on the liquid to be inspected via the first and second light guide members, even if the liquid to be inspected has a high heat, the light emitting element and the light receiving element are heated. Can be less affected. Furthermore, the block member is installed so that the height position on the inlet side of the liquid passage is on the lower side and the height position on the outlet side is on the upper side, so that the liquid to be inspected can reliably fill the space of the liquid passage. It goes to the exit side of the liquid passage. Therefore, air is not trapped in the gap between the end faces of the first and second light guide members, and the light transmission characteristics (physical properties) of the liquid to be inspected can be accurately measured.

  In the above-described configuration, it is preferable that the liquid passage includes a cavity for forming a liquid reservoir, and one end surfaces of the first and second light guide members are disposed to face each other in the cavity. According to this configuration, since the liquid to be inspected is temporarily retained in the cavity, the physical properties of the liquid to be inspected can be stably measured.

  In the above configuration, it is desirable that the first and second light guide members are made of glass rods. According to this configuration, since a glass rod that is easy to process and inexpensive is used, the manufacturing of the inspection apparatus can be facilitated and the cost can be reduced.

  The said structure WHEREIN: It is desirable to further provide the space | interval adjustment mechanism which adjusts the clearance gap between the said end surfaces of the said 1st and 2nd light guide member. According to this configuration, the end surface gap between the first and second light guide members can be easily adjusted. Therefore, the detection sensitivity can be easily adjusted to an appropriate level by adjusting the end face gap according to the characteristics of the liquid to be inspected, the degree of contamination, and the like.

  In any one of the above-described configurations, it is desirable that a flow space for the liquid to be inspected including the pipe line and the liquid passage is a sealed space. According to this configuration, it is possible to simplify the equipment necessary for circulating the liquid to be inspected, and as a result, it is possible to reduce the size of the inspection apparatus.

  In any one of the configurations described above, the liquid is lubricating oil, and the liquid circulation system extracts a part of the lubricating oil from the engine that uses the lubricating oil as the oil to be inspected, and passes through the predetermined circulation path to the inspected state. An oil circulation system for returning oil to the engine is desirable. According to this configuration, even if the lubricating oil is at a high temperature in the engine, the light emitting element and the light receiving element are not affected, for example, based on the output value of the light receiving element, the viscosity, the base number, the acid value, the insoluble By calculating the minutes and the like by a known method, it is possible to determine the degree of deterioration of the oil to be inspected.

  According to the liquid inspection apparatus of the present invention, the light emitting element and the light receiving element are not affected by the heat, and air is trapped in the end face gaps of the first and second light guide members. There is no. Therefore, it is possible to provide an inspection apparatus capable of measuring the physical properties of the liquid accurately and without complicating the apparatus structure at a low cost.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of a lubricant deterioration diagnosis apparatus S that is an embodiment of a liquid inspection apparatus according to the present invention. The deterioration diagnosis device S is for monitoring the degree of deterioration of the lubricating oil 11 used in the engine 10 (an example of “an engine that uses lubricating oil”), and includes an oil circulation system 20 (liquid circulation system). ) And a measuring instrument 30 (inspection means).

  The engine 10 is an internal combustion engine that provides power to a crankshaft or the like, and includes, for example, a CGS gas engine, a gasoline engine, a diesel engine, or the like. The interior of the engine 10 is filled with lubricating oil 11 to enable a smooth operation of the internal combustion engine. The engine 10 includes an oil take-out hole 12 for extracting a part of the lubricating oil 11 as an inspected oil (inspected liquid), and an oil return hole 13 for returning the inspected oil after the inspection to the engine 10. Is provided.

  The oil circulation system 20 extracts a part of the lubricating oil 11 from the oil take-out hole 12 of the engine 10 as the oil to be inspected, and passes the oil to be inspected to the oil return hole 13 of the engine 10 through a circulation path passing through the measuring device 30. It is something to return. The oil circulation system 20 includes a conduit for circulating the oil to be inspected, a pump 21 for forcibly circulating the oil to be inspected, and an on-off valve 22 for circulating or stopping the oil to be inspected.

  The pipe includes a first pipe 201 connecting the oil take-out hole 12 and the pump 21, a second pipe 202 connecting the pump 21 and the on-off valve 22, the on-off valve 22 and the measuring device 30. A third pipe line 203 that connects the two, and a fourth pipe line 204 that connects the measuring instrument 30 and the oil return hole 13. The pipe line composed of the first to fourth pipe lines 201 to 204 with the measuring device 30 interposed therebetween is a sealed pipe system. In addition, the 1st-4th pipe lines 201-204 can be comprised, for example with a resin pipe.

  As a result of such an oil circulation system 20 being attached to the engine 10, during operation of the engine 10, part of the lubricating oil 11 is extracted from the oil extraction hole 12 as inspection oil by the operation of the pump 21. The extracted oil to be inspected is returned to the oil return hole 13 after the degree of deterioration is optically measured via the measuring device 30.

  The measuring device 30 determines the degree of deterioration of the inspection oil by transmitting predetermined inspection light through the inspection oil. The measuring device 30 includes a block member 31 having an oil passage 32 (liquid passage) through which oil to be inspected passes at a predetermined flow rate. The oil passage 32 is a passage that penetrates the block member 31 linearly, and the block member 31 is installed so that the oil passage 32 faces in the vertical direction.

  The block member 31 is installed such that the height position of the inlet portion 32in of the oil passage 32 is on the lower side and the height position of the outlet portion 32out of the oil passage 32 is on the upper side. And the terminal of the 3rd pipe line 203 (upstream side of a pipe line) is connected to the entrance part 32in, and the starting end of the 4th pipe line 204 (downstream side of a pipe line) is connected to the exit part 32out. Such a measuring device 30 is provided with a processing operation unit 70 that performs an operation for determining the degree of deterioration based on the measurement result of the measuring device 30.

  FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a detailed structure of the measuring instrument 30 (block member 31), and FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the measuring instrument 30 in an assembled state. The measuring device 30 includes a first sensor pair 40A composed of a pair of the first light emitting element 41 and the first light receiving element 42 and a pair of the second light emitting element 43 and the second light receiving element 44 on the block member 31 described above. The second sensor pair 40 </ b> B has a structure assembled through the first light guide member 51 and the second light guide member 52. In the present embodiment, a method of irradiating inspection light with two different wavelengths is illustrated, and the first sensor pair 40A is for projecting and receiving the inspection light with the first wavelength, and the second sensor pair 40B. Is for projecting and receiving inspection light having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength.

  The block member 31 is formed of a carbon steel material for mechanical structure (for example, a product equivalent to S30C to S45C defined in JIS G 4051) or the like, and has a long rectangular shape in the vertical direction. In addition to the oil passage 32 described above, the block member 31 includes a first cavity 324 and a second cavity 325 formed in the middle of the oil passage 32, seal grooves 326 and 327, and first to fourth guides for inserting the light guide member. The insertion holes 331 to 334 and the six fastening holes 34 are provided.

  The first cavity 324 and the second cavity 325 are space portions for forming a liquid reservoir for temporarily retaining the oil to be inspected, and the extending direction of the oil passage 32 that is arranged two above and below the block member 31. It is formed as a cylindrical through hole in a direction orthogonal to the direction. The oil passage 32 includes a first passage 321 that allows the inlet portion 32in to communicate with the lower portion of the first cavity 324, a second passage 322 that allows the upper portion of the first cavity 324 to communicate with the lower portion of the second cavity 325, and the second passage. It consists of a third passage 323 that allows the upper part of the cavity 325 to communicate with the outlet portion 32out. Compared to the first to third passages 321-323, the first cavity 324 and the second cavity 325 are holes having a large cross-sectional area.

  As shown in FIG. 3, one end of an elbow type pipe joint 232 is screwed into the inlet portion 32 in, and the end joint fitting 231 of the third pipe line 203 is screwed into the other end of the pipe joint 232. Yes. Similarly, one end of an elbow type pipe joint 242 is screwed into the outlet portion 32out, and a start end fitting fitting 241 of the fourth pipe line 204 is screwed into the other end of the pipe joint 242. As a result, as indicated by an arrow in the figure, the fourth passage enters the first passage 321 from the third passage 203, passes through the first cavity 324, the second passage 322, the second cavity 325, and the third passage 323, and passes through the fourth passage. An oil circulation path to 204 is formed.

  The seal grooves 326 and 327 are annular grooves provided in the periphery of the openings of the first cavity 324 and the second cavity 325, respectively. As will be described later with reference to FIG. 4, sealing plate members 35 and 36 are attached to the opening surfaces on both sides of the first cavity 324 and the second cavity 325. The sealing grooves 326 and 327 ensure the sealing performance. It is a groove | channel for hold | maintaining the annular seal member (not shown) for doing. Therefore, a similar seal groove is provided on the opposite surface of FIG.

  The first to fourth insertion holes 331 to 334 are through holes through which the rod-shaped first light guide member 51 and the second light guide member 52 are inserted from the outside toward the first cavity 324 and the second cavity 325. is there. Specifically, the first insertion hole 331 is a hole extending in the horizontal direction from one side surface of the block member 31 toward the first cavity 324, and the second insertion hole 332 is the first from the other side surface of the block member 31. It is a hole extending in the horizontal direction toward the cavity 324. The first insertion hole 331 and the second insertion hole 332 are provided on the same axis. The third insertion hole 333 is a hole extending in the horizontal direction from one side surface of the block member 31 toward the second cavity 325, and the fourth insertion hole 334 is formed from the other side surface of the block member 31 to the second cavity. It is a hole extending in the horizontal direction toward 325. The third insertion hole 333 and the fourth insertion hole 332 are also provided on the same axis.

  The first light guide member 51 and the second light guide member 52 for the first sensor pair 40A are inserted through the first insertion hole 331 and the second insertion hole 332, respectively. The first light guide member 51 and the second light guide member 52 can be formed by processing a glass material excellent in heat resistance and durability such as Pyrex (registered trademark of Corning) into a round bar shape.

  The first light emitting element 41 is attached to the first end face 511 of the first light guide member 51 (end face located outside the block member 31). The first light receiving element 42 is attached to the first end surface 521 of the second light guide member 52. On the other hand, the second end surface 512 of the first light guide member 51 and the second end surface 522 of the second light guide member 52 protrude into the first cavity 324 constituting a part of the oil passage 32. The second end surface 512 of the first light guide member 51 and the second end surface 522 of the second light guide member 52 are arranged to face each other with a predetermined gap G1.

  Similarly, the first light guide member 51 and the second light guide member 52 for the second sensor pair 40B are inserted through the third insertion hole 333 and the fourth insertion hole 334, respectively. The second light emitting element 43 is attached to the first end face 511 of the first light guide member 51, and the second light receiving element 42 is attached to the first end face 521 of the second light guide member 52. On the other hand, the second end surface 512 of the first light guide member 51 and the second end surface 522 of the second light guide member 52 protrude into the second cavity 325, and the second end surface 512 and the second end surface 522 have a predetermined gap. G2 is disposed so as to face each other.

  The first light emitting element 41 includes a semiconductor light emitting element chip such as an LED that emits first inspection light, and has an emission wavelength of 870 nm, for example. The first light receiving element 42 is made of a silicon photodiode having sensitivity to the emission wavelength. The second light emitting element 43 includes a semiconductor light emitting element chip such as an LED that emits second inspection light, and has an emission wavelength of 950 nm, for example. The second light receiving element 44 is formed of a silicon photodiode having sensitivity to such a light emission wavelength.

  The first inspection light emitted from the first light emitting element 41 is incident on the first end surface 511 of the first light guide member 51, propagates through the first light guide member 51, and is emitted from the second end surface 512. Thereafter, the first inspection light is incident on the second end surface 522 of the second light guide member 52 that is disposed to face the gap G1. Then, the light propagates through the second light guide member 52 and is received by the first light receiving element 42 at the first end surface 521. Therefore, when the gap G1 is filled with the oil to be inspected, the first light receiving element 42 receives the transmitted light having the first inspection light (wavelength = 870 nm) transmitted through the oil to be inspected. The same applies to the second light emitting element 43 and the second light receiving element 44. When the gap G2 is filled with the oil to be inspected, the second light receiving element 44 receives the second inspection light (wavelength = 950 nm). The transmitted light that has passed through the oil is received.

  The first light guide member 51 and the second light guide member 52 are held by a gap adjusting mechanism capable of adjusting the gaps G1 and G2. In this embodiment, the distance adjusting mechanism includes a holder member 61, an adjusting screw 62, and a seal ring 63. In addition, this space | interval adjustment mechanism is abbreviate | omitting illustration in the 2nd sensor pair 40B side of FIG.

  The holder member 61 holds the first light guide member 51 or the second light guide member 52 so as to be slidable. Each holder member 61 includes a through hole that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the first light guide member 51 or the second light guide member 52, and has a fixing thread portion on one end side peripheral wall thereof. Are fixed to the block member 31 by being screwed into threaded portions formed on the inner peripheral walls of the first to fourth insertion holes 331 to 334, respectively.

  A screw thread portion for adjustment is formed on the peripheral wall on the other end side of each holder member 61, and a cap nut having a through hole of the first light guide member 51 or the second light guide member 52 in the screw thread portion. An adjusting screw 62 made of a member is screwed. In addition, two seal rings 63 are externally fitted to the first light guide member 51 or the second light guide member 52 so as to be positioned between the holder member 61 and the adjustment screw 62. The seal ring 63 is formed of an elastic material, and is closely attached to the peripheral wall of the first light guide member 51 or the second light guide member 52, and the sealing performance of the oil passage 32 and the first and second cavities 324 and 325. Play a role to keep.

  Further, the seal ring 63 also functions to transmit a moving force to the first light guide member 51 or the second light guide member 52. That is, the inner bottom surface of the adjustment screw 62 is in contact with the seal ring 63 and is compressed and restored depending on the degree of screwing of the adjustment screw 62 to the holder member 61. At this time, since the seal ring 63 is closely attached to the first light guide member 51 or the second light guide member 52, the first light guide member 51 or the second light guide is followed in accordance with the compression / decompression operation. The member 52 moves in the axial direction. Therefore, by adjusting the tightening degree of the adjusting screw 62, the gaps G1 and G2 can be adjusted.

  Here, the flow of the inspection oil will be described. The block member 31 is installed so that the height position of the inlet portion 32in (inlet side) of the oil passage 32 is on the lower side and the height position of the outlet portion 32out (outlet side) is on the upper side. The oil to be inspected extracted from the engine 10 enters the first passage 321 from the third pipe 203 through the inlet portion 32in and reaches the first cavity 324. Then, by sequentially supplying the oil to be inspected, the first cavity 324 is gradually filled with the oil to be inspected so that the space is gradually filled from the lower side to the upper side. Accordingly, the gap G1 between the first light guide member 51 and the second light guide member 52 is reliably filled with the oil to be inspected.

  Thereafter, the oil to be inspected overflows from the first cavity 324 toward the second passage 322 and reaches the second cavity 325. The second cavity 325 is also filled with the oil to be inspected so that the space is gradually filled from the lower side to the upper side, and the gap G2 is also reliably filled with the oil to be inspected. Thereafter, the oil to be inspected passes through the third passage 323 and the outlet portion 32out, enters the fourth pipeline 204, and is returned to the engine 10.

  As described above, the first and second cavities 324 and 325 in which the gaps G1 and G2 where the inspection light is projected and received are filled so that the oil level increases from the lower side to the upper side. There is no possibility that air is trapped in the gaps G1 and G2. For this reason, according to the structure of this embodiment, the light transmission characteristic of oil to be inspected can be measured accurately.

  FIG. 4 is a side view showing an actual assembly example of the measuring instrument 30. Here, an example is shown in which a block member 31R for calibration is attached to the block member 31 described above. The calibration block member 31R is the same member as the block member 31 except that the oil passage 32 does not exist, and is substantially the same as the first cavity 324 and the second cavity 325. It has a cavity 325 ′.

  The block member 31 and the calibration block member 31R are juxtaposed in the horizontal direction, and plate members 35, 36, and 37 are disposed on both sides and in the middle so as to sandwich them. The plate members 35, 36, and 37 are flat plate members made of carbon steel or the like. The fastening bolts 38 are respectively inserted into the six fastening holes 34 of the block member 31 and the calibration block member 31R, and the fastening nuts 39 are fastened to fix them together. It should be noted that the oil passage 32 and the first and second cavities 324 and 325 of the block member 31 are hermetically sealed by closing both side surfaces with the plate members 35 and 36.

  The calibration block member 31R includes a third sensor pair 400A and a fourth sensor pair 400B having the same configuration as the first sensor pair 40A and the second sensor pair 40B, respectively. The third sensor pair 400A includes a third light emitting element 45 that generates reference light having the same wavelength as the first light emitting element 41 (for example, 870 nm), a third light receiving element 46 that receives the reference light, and a first cavity 324 ′. And a first light guide member and a second light guide member (not shown) arranged to face each other with the same gap as the gap G1. The fourth sensor pair 400B includes a fourth light emitting element 47 that generates reference light having the same wavelength (for example, 950 nm) as the second light emitting element 43, a fourth light receiving element 48 that receives the reference light, and a second cavity 325 ′. The first light guide member and the second light guide member (not shown) are disposed to face each other with the same gap as the gap G2.

  The oil to be inspected does not flow through the calibration block member 31R, and the third light emission is performed in the first cavity 324 ′ and the second cavity 325 ′ using the gap between the first light guide member and the second light guide member as an air layer. Light projection / reception by the element 45 and the third light receiving element 46 and light projection / reception by the fourth light emitting element 47 and the fourth light receiving element 48 are executed.

  By attaching such a calibration block member 31R, the light projecting and receiving results by the third light emitting element 45 and the third light receiving element 46, and the light projecting and receiving results by the fourth light emitting element 47 and the fourth light receiving element 48, It can be used as reference data. In particular, since the block member 31 and the calibration block member 31R are integrated in a manner as shown in FIG. 4, both are thermally coupled, and data such as the amount of transmitted light detected by the block member 31 is obtained. The temperature can be corrected and used without being affected by the outside air temperature.

  In the present embodiment, in addition to providing the calibration block member 31R, inspection light is projected and received on the oil to be inspected via the first and second light guide members 51 and 52. Even if it has a high heat, the light emitting element and the light receiving element are not easily affected by the heat. That is, the oil to be inspected is in contact with the second end faces 512 and 522 of the first and second light guide members 51 and 52, and the light emitting element and the light receiving element are disposed at positions away from the second end faces 512 and 522. Not affected by heat.

  FIG. 5A is a graph showing temperature characteristics of a general light receiving element, and FIG. 5B is a graph showing temperature characteristics of a general light emitting element. As shown in these graphs, the light receiving element tends to increase the output current when the environmental temperature increases, and the light emitting element tends to decrease the light emission output when the environmental temperature increases. Therefore, when the first light emitting element 41, the first light receiving element 42, the second light emitting element 43, and the second light receiving element 44 are exposed to a high temperature, the true transmitted light amount characteristic cannot be measured under the influence of the temperature, As a result, there is a concern that parameters necessary for oil deterioration diagnosis such as viscosity, base number, acid value, and insoluble matter cannot be calculated. However, according to the present embodiment, the influence of temperature is suppressed as much as possible by the above countermeasures, so that an accurate oil deterioration diagnosis can be performed.

  Next, the processing calculation unit 70 will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the processing calculation unit 70. The processing calculation unit 70 includes drivers 711 to 714, I / V (current / voltage) conversion units 721 to 724, an A / D (analog / digital) conversion unit 73, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 74, a communication unit 75, The display unit 76, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 77, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 78 are provided.

  The drivers 711 to 714 include a first light emitting element 41, a second light emitting element 43, and a third light emitting element provided in the first sensor pair 40A, the second sensor pair 40B, the third sensor pair 400A, and the fourth sensor pair 400B, respectively. The element 45 and the fourth light emitting element 47 are driven (emitted) based on a light emission control signal given at a predetermined sampling period from a measurement control unit 743 of the CPU 74 described later. As described above, the first light emitting element 41 and the third light emitting element 45 have the same emission wavelength (for example, 870 nm), and the second light emitting element 43 and the fourth light emitting element 47 have the same emission wavelength (for example, 950 nm). is there.

  The I / V converters 721 to 724 convert the current signals output from the first light receiving element 42, the second light receiving element 44, the third light receiving element 46, and the fourth light receiving element 48 by photoelectrically converting the inspection light into voltage signals. Convert. Here, the voltage signal output from the I / V conversion units 721 and 722 is a voltage signal corresponding to the amount of transmitted light through which the inspection light emitted from the first light emitting element 41 and the second light emitting element 43 passes through the oil to be inspected. It is. That is, a voltage signal corresponding to the degree of deterioration of the inspected oil is output. On the other hand, the voltage signal output from the I / V converters 723 and 723 is a voltage corresponding to the amount of air transmitted only by the reference light emitted from the third light emitting element 45 and the fourth light emitting element 47 passing through the air layer. Signal.

  The A / D converter 73 acquires the voltage signals output from the I / V converters 721 to 724, converts them into digital signals, and outputs them to the CPU 74.

  The CPU 74 controls the operation of each part of the processing calculation unit 70 and is functionally provided with a temperature correction unit 741, a deterioration calculation unit 742, and a measurement control unit 743. The temperature correction unit 741 uses the output signals from the I / V conversion units 723 and 724 corresponding to the calibration block member 31R as correction voltages, and the I / V conversion units 721 and 722 according to the amount of transmitted inspection light. Is performed to correct the temperature of the output signal from each of the inspection light wavelengths. That is, the output signal of the I / V conversion unit 721 is corrected by the output signal of the I / V conversion unit 723 using the same wavelength, and the output signal of the I / V conversion unit 722 is an I signal using the same wavelength. This is corrected by the output signal of the / V converter 724.

  The deterioration calculation unit 742 performs a calculation for obtaining a parameter relating to the degree of deterioration of the inspected oil based on the output signals from the I / V conversion units 721 and 722. Examples of this parameter include the degree of decrease in the amount of transmitted light or absorbance, or the viscosity, base number, acid value, insoluble content, etc., obtained based on the amount of transmitted light.

  The measurement control unit 743 controls measurement operations by the drivers 711 to 714 and the I / V conversion units 721 to 724 in accordance with a predetermined measurement program. Specifically, timing pulses and the like are given to the drivers 711 to 714 and the I / V converters 721 to 724 to cause the first to fourth light emitting elements 41, 43, 45, and 47 to emit light at each sampling period, and to emit the light. In synchronization with the timing, photoelectric conversion signals (measurement data) are acquired from the first to fourth light receiving elements 42, 44, 46 and 48.

  FIG. 7 is a graph showing a measurement example of the relationship between the operation time of the engine 10 and the transmitted light amount (received light amount) of the lubricating oil 11 (inspected oil) when two wavelengths of 870 nm and 950 nm are used as the emission wavelengths. is there. As shown in the graph, the amount of received light decreases as the operating time of the engine 10 increases. Further, it can be seen that the magnitude and inclination of the received light amount differ between 870 nm and 950 nm. The deterioration calculation unit 742 performs calculation for obtaining a parameter related to the degree of deterioration using such characteristics.

  FIG. 8 is a graph for explaining temperature correction processing in the temperature correction unit 741. The output voltage from the I / V converters 721 and 722 decreases as the temperature increases, as indicated by the characteristic indicated by the symbol C1. On the other hand, the output voltages from the I / V conversion units 723 and 724 corresponding to the calibration block member 31R also have the same gradient as the characteristic indicated by the symbol C2 because the blocks are thermally coupled to each other. Therefore, by compensating the characteristic of the code C1 with the characteristic of the code C2, it is possible to obtain a characteristic having almost no temperature dependence as indicated by the code C3.

  Returning to FIG. 6, the communication unit 75 performs data communication with an external terminal or the like. For example, the deterioration diagnosis result by the deterioration calculation unit 742 is transmitted to a management center or the like existing in a remote place via the Internet. To do. The display unit 76 includes a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays, for example, a deterioration diagnosis result by the deterioration calculation unit 642 in a predetermined format.

  The ROM 77 stores an operation program of the degradation diagnosis apparatus S and the like. The RAM 78 temporarily stores a data signal given from the A / D converter 73, a deterioration diagnosis result by the deterioration calculator 742, and the like.

  The operation of the lubricant deterioration diagnosis device S according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. When the operation of the engine 10 is started, the driving of the pump 21 is also started, and a part of the lubricating oil 11 is extracted from the oil extraction hole 12 as the oil to be inspected. The extracted oil to be inspected is guided to the block member 31 of the measuring device 30 through the first to third pipes 201 to 203 and enters the oil passage 32 from the inlet 32in (see FIG. 1).

  Thereafter, the oil to be inspected passes through the oil passage 32 while filling the spaces of the first cavity 324 and the second cavity 325 (see FIG. 3). At this time, first, in the first cavity 324, the oil to be inspected is the first inspection light emitted from the first light emitting element 41 in the gap G1 between the first light guide member 51 and the second light guide member 52 of the first sensor pair 40A. Receive irradiation. The first inspection light is received by the first light receiving element 42 after passing through the oil to be inspected. Subsequently, in the second cavity 325, in the gap G2 between the first light guide member 51 and the second light guide member 52 of the second sensor pair 40B, the oil to be inspected is the second inspection light emitted by the second light emitting element 43. Receive irradiation. The second inspection light is received by the second light receiving element 44 after passing through the oil to be inspected.

  Here, by adjusting the tightening degree of the adjusting screw 62, the gaps G1 and G2 can be adjusted. The gaps G1 and G2 may be adjusted so that the sensitivities of the first light receiving element 42 and the second light receiving element 44 are appropriate according to the type of oil to be inspected, the degree of contamination, and the like.

  Based on the light reception data of the first light receiving element 42 and the second light receiving element 44, a parameter relating to the degree of deterioration of the inspection oil is calculated by the processing calculation unit 70 (see FIG. 6). The calculation result is transmitted to an external terminal or the like through the communication unit 75 or displayed on the display unit 76. On the other hand, the oil to be inspected discharged from the outlet portion 32out of the oil passage 32 is returned to the engine 10 via the oil return hole 13 through the fourth conduit 204. Hereinafter, this operation is continued during the operation period of the engine 10.

  According to the lubricating oil deterioration diagnosis apparatus S described above, the deterioration degree of the lubricating oil 11 can be monitored stably for a long period of time without stopping the operation of the engine 10 in operation. Therefore, even if it is a stationary engine such as a gas engine for CGS, it is possible to determine the oil change timing remotely and accurately by transmitting the deterioration diagnosis result from the communication unit 75, and as a result The maintenance burden can be reduced, the frequency of oil change can be optimized, and the amount of waste oil associated therewith can be reduced.

  In addition, since the inspection light is projected and received through the heat insulating first and second light guide members 51 and 52 such as glass rods, even if the oil to be inspected has a high heat, the light is emitted. The element and the light receiving element are not affected by the heat. Further, the block member 31 is installed so that the inlet portion 32in of the oil passage 32 is on the lower side and the outlet portion 32out is on the upper side, so that the oil to be inspected can exit the outlet portion 32out while reliably filling the space of the oil passage 32. Head for. For this reason, air does not get caught in the end surface gaps G1 and G2 of the first and second light guide members 51 and 52, and the light transmission characteristics of the oil to be inspected can be accurately measured.

Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and can take modified embodiments such as the following [1] to [3].
[1] In the above embodiment, a two-wavelength method using two sets of light emitting elements and light receiving elements has been illustrated, but only one set of light emitting elements and light receiving elements may be used. Alternatively, three or more sets of light emitting elements and light receiving elements may be used.
[2] In the above embodiment, the engine 10 is given as an example of the engine. However, the present invention can be applied to other engines using lubricating oil other than the engine. For example, it can be applied to deterioration diagnosis of lubricating oil used in compressors, gear devices, and the like.
[3] In the above embodiment, the deterioration diagnosis of the lubricating oil is exemplified, but the present invention can also be applied to an inspection device that inspects the physical properties of various liquids other than the lubricating oil. For example, the present invention can be applied to inspection uses such as cooling water, industrial water, hot spring water, liquid fuel, and chemicals.

It is a block diagram which shows roughly the whole structure of the deterioration diagnosis apparatus S of the lubricating oil which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the detailed structure of a measuring device (block member). It is sectional drawing of the measuring device of the assembled state. It is a side view which shows the actual assembly example of a measuring device. (A) is a graph which shows the temperature characteristic of a general light receiving element, (b) is a graph which shows the temperature characteristic of a general light emitting element. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a process calculating part. It is a graph which shows the example of a measurement of the relationship between the driving | running time of an engine, and the transmitted light quantity (light-receiving light quantity) of lubricating oil (oil to be inspected) at the time of using 2 wavelengths. It is a graph for demonstrating the temperature correction process in a temperature correction part.

Explanation of symbols

S Lubricating oil deterioration diagnosis device (liquid inspection device)
10 Engine (Equipment; Engine that uses lubricating oil)
11 Lubricating oil 20 Oil circulation system (liquid circulation system)
201-204 1st-4th pipe line 30 Measuring instrument (inspection means)
31 Block member 32 Oil passage (liquid passage)
32in inlet portion 32out outlet portion 324, 325 first cavity, second cavity 41, 43, 45, 47 first, second, third, fourth light emitting elements 42, 44, 46, 48 first, second, second 3, 4th light receiving element 51, 52 1st, 2nd light guide member 62 Adjustment screw 62 (space | interval adjustment mechanism)
70 Processing calculation part G1, G2 Gap

Claims (6)

A liquid circulation system for extracting a part of the liquid from the device in which the liquid is stored as the liquid to be tested, and returning the liquid to be tested to the device via a predetermined circulation path;
Provided in the middle of the circulation path, and comprises inspection means for measuring physical properties of the liquid to be inspected by transmitting predetermined inspection light to the liquid to be inspected.
The liquid circulation system has a conduit for circulating the liquid to be inspected,
The inspection means includes a block member having a liquid passage through which the inlet side and the outlet side are respectively connected to the pipe and allowing the liquid to be inspected to pass therethrough at a predetermined flow rate, and one end surface of the block member faces the liquid passage. The rod-shaped first and second light guide members disposed so that the one end surfaces face each other with a gap between them, and the inspection light disposed on the other end surface side of the first light guide member A light emitting element that emits light, and a light receiving element that is disposed on the other end face side of the second light guide member and receives the inspection light,
The block member is installed such that the height position on the inlet side of the liquid passage is on the lower side and the height position on the outlet side is on the upper side, and the upstream side of the conduit is connected to the inlet side of the liquid passage, A liquid inspection apparatus, wherein a downstream side of the pipe is connected to an outlet side of the liquid passage. The liquid passage comprises a cavity for forming a liquid reservoir;
The liquid inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one end surfaces of the first and second light guide members are arranged to face each other in the cavity.   The liquid inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second light guide members are made of glass rods.   The liquid inspection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an interval adjustment mechanism that adjusts a gap between the one end surfaces of the first and second light guide members.   The liquid inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a flow space of the liquid to be inspected including the pipe line and the liquid passage is a sealed space. The liquid is a lubricating oil;
The liquid circulation system is an oil circulation system that extracts a part of the lubricating oil from the engine that uses the lubricating oil as the inspected oil and returns the inspected oil to the engine through a predetermined circulation path. The liquid inspection apparatus according to claim 1.

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