Vibration Viscosity Sensor for Engine Oil Monitoring Using Metal Matrix Piezoelectric Composite
Tetsuro Yanaseko,
Hiroshi Sato,
Isao Kuboki,
Karla Mossi,
Hiroshi Asanuma
Affiliations
Tetsuro Yanaseko
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kogakuin University, 2665-1, Nakano-cho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 192-0015, Japan
Hiroshi Sato
Advanced Manufacturing Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 1-2-1, Namiki, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki 302-8564, Japan
Isao Kuboki
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kogakuin University, 2665-1, Nakano-cho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 192-0015, Japan
Karla Mossi
Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Department, Virginia Commonwealth University, 401 West Main Street, PO Box 843015, Richmond, VA 23284-3015, USA
Hiroshi Asanuma
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33, Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
Lubricants such as engine oil play an important role in preventing machine wear and damage. Monitoring the deterioration of lubricating oils is a significant technical issue in machine maintenance. In this study, a sensor for monitoring engine oil viscosity was developed using a metal-core piezoelectric fiber/aluminum composite. This composite is a piezoelectric ceramic that is reinforced by a metal matrix; it is expected to be utilized in harsh environments such as the inside of an engine. An active type measurement method was employed to monitor variations in the viscosity of glycerin solution as a model liquid. In this method, a self-generated vibration is correlated to the viscosity of a liquid by measuring the damped vibration amplitude and the variation in the resonance frequency. The results showed that the vibration had a high sensitivity to the liquid viscosity; further, it was observed that the shift in resonance frequency correlated to a wider range of measurable viscosity. Both measured parameters indicate that the metal-core piezoelectric fiber/aluminum composite is a viable sensor for engine oil monitoring.
