ASTI proposes to identify and evaluate the most promising new oil condition measurement techniques and develop sensor device concepts that can be used in point of use on-board and/or hand-held oil condition analyzers. ASTI now believes the best options for new oil condition sensors are mid-infrared optical methods and chemically selective binding agents on micro-electromechanical detectors. Technical objectives include: * Assess and analyze the gap between the capabilities of current state of the art sensor devices and the expectations of the US Army * Identify novel sensing methods that have not been integrated into on-board or hand-held systems before * Assess the sensing capability of the proposed methods against AOAP capabilities * Eliminate from consideration methods that do not advance the state of the art for on-board and hand-held systems * Define likely embeddable device concepts that utilize the best sensing methods * Rank the devices on overall estimated performance and feasibility * List areas of significant predicted impact on AOAP and logistics operations by the proposed sensors and propose communications protocols
Benefits: ASTI has estimated a potential cost savings to the Army of $6.7 Million per year by moving from the AOAP as it operates today to a largely point-of-use analysis operation with greatly reduced AOAP lab workload and provide additional benefits in terms of vehicle readiness levels and reduced soldier workload. Furthermore, a better point of use oil analysis approach could avoid downtime on the order of $92 Million worth of U.S. Army equipment per year over existing methods. The point-of-use technology can have significantly greater benefits to the commercial sector and the environment, lowering costs to operate and maintain heavy equipment and reducing contributions of used oil and filters into the waste stream.
Keywords: sensors, AOAP, oil condition, MEMS, infrared spectroscopy, diagnostics, prognostics
