METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GEARBOX FAILURE DETECTION USING RADIOACTIVE COMPONENTS
A system includes a chip detector that includes a magnet, the chip detector operable to collect a plurality of chips in a lubricant flow. The system also includes a radiation sensor associated with the magnet and operable to detect radiation emitted by at least some of the plurality of chips collected by the magnet.
1 . A system comprising:
a chip detector comprising a magnet, the chip detector operable to collect a plurality of chips in a lubricant flow; and
a radiation sensor associated with the magnet and operable to detect radiation emitted by at least some of the plurality of chips collected by the magnet.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the detected radiation has a pre-defined radiation signature.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the pre-defined radiation signature is unique to a particular component.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the radiation comprises first radiation with a first radiation signature and second radiation with a second radiation signature.
5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein:
the first radiation signature is unique to a first component; and
the second radiation signature is unique to a second component.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the emitted radiation is indicative of an important component.
7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein chips that do not emit radiation indicate an unimportant component.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of chips originate from a component produced so as to generate a pre-defined radiation signature.
9 . A system comprising:
a filter operable to collect a plurality of chips in a lubricant flow; and
a radiation sensor associated with the filter and operable to detect radiation emitted by the at least some of the plurality of chips.
10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the radiation sensor is operable to detect a radiation signature of the emitted radiation.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the radiation signature is unique to a particular component.
12 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the filter is operable to collect chips greater than 3 μm.
13 . The system of claim 9 , wherein:
the radiation sensor is operable to detect a plurality of radiation signature; and
each of the plurality of radiation signatures is unique to a particular component.
14 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the at least some of the plurality of chips are non-ferrous.
15 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the at least some of the plurality of chips are non-metallic.
16 . The system of claim 9 , wherein at least some of the plurality of chips originate from a component produced so as to generate a pre-defined radiation signature.
17 . A system for detecting chips in a lubricant flow, the system comprising:
a chip-collection apparatus selected from the group consisting of:
a chip detector;
a filter operable to collect chips larger than 3 μm; and
a screen;
a radiation sensor operable to detect radiation emitted by at least some of the collected chips; and
wherein the radiation sensor is at least one of:
in the filter;
adjacent to the screen; and
adjacent to the chip detector.
18 . The system claim 17 , wherein:
the radiation emitted has a pre-defined radiation signature indicative of a particular component;
the particular component is produced so as to generate the pre-defined radiation signature; and
chips of the collected chips that do not emit a pre-defined radiation signature originate from an unimportant component.
19 . The system of claim 17 , wherein at least some of the chips are non-ferrous and non-metallic.
20 . The system of claim 17 , wherein:
the emitted radiation comprises at least two different radiation signatures;
a first radiation signature of the at least two different radiation signatures is indicative of a first component; and
a second radiation signature of the at least two different radiation signatures is indicative of a second component.