ARTI - PODS (Portable Oil Diagnostic
System)
PODS is an intelligent portable and robust
analysis instrument for measuring, storing and reporting oil
condition parameters important for reliable hydraulic system
operations. PODS provides the means to analyze pressurized
fluids and lubricants in online or bottle sampling mode without
interrupting machine operations.
 PODS
measures three oil parameters:
- Particle Concentration (from which cleanliness
classes based on several standards are derived)
- Oil Temperature
- Oil Viscosity
PODS has three operating modes:
- Analysis from bottle samples
- Online measurement at the pressure of the hydraulic system
up to 420 bar or 6000 psi
- Online measurements in combination with ECOLINE UPM 045
by ARGO ECOTEC e.g. during filling or off-line filtration
of a hydraulic system.
PODS Functional Concept
 The
heart of PODS is a new sensor for particle counting. Based
on the concept of Light Extinction, it detects particles of
>2um(c) ISO-MTD (Medium Test Dust). The pressure of the
hydraulic systems moves the oil sample through the senor during
online operation. In bottle sampling mode, the necessary pressure
to induce sample flow is produced by C02 stored in a small
refillable pressure bottle (in the field) or compressed air
(in the lab). Other sensors measure oil temperature and viscosity.
The sample flow rate is measured and automatically regulated
depending on oil viscosity. Each sample has one run for flushing
(programmable) and three measurement runs of either 5, 10
or 20 ml. The analysis time depends on the oil viscosity and
is as fast as 1 minute up to 2.5 minutes.
Fluid Controlling Concept
PODS is the key element to Fluid Controlling. Regular measurement
of the oil condition of mobile and stationary hydraulic systems
can be quickly conducted by the user at any time. The comparison
of the results with preset oil quality and cleanliness guidelines
will trigger oil service measures tailored to the needs of
the system. The exchange of filter elements, the replacement
of the oil or the cleaning and drying of the pressure fluid
is now determined when accepted limit values are surpassed.
Machine operating times are prolonged and the oil change intervals
are extended, saving costs in maintenance and repair.
Features:
 Reliable
Oil Monitoring
Monitoring oil contamination with PODS in the field proves
immediate information about the machine’s health under
operating condition. Results from oil samples analyzed in
laboratories are only available after weeks and do not reflect
the condition of the oil under operating conditions.
Calibration to the newest standard with ISO-MTD
PODS is calibrated to ISO 11171:2000 with ISO-Medium Test
Dust (MTD). Its Primary Calibration is with NIST Standard
Reference Material SRM 2806, which is certified by NIST (National
Institute of Standards and Technology), USA. SRM 2806 can
be obtained from NIST in a reproducible size and number distribution.
Through regular Calibration to ISO 11171:1999 and regular
service, PODS has indisputable counting accuracy and its counting
results can be compared to other NIST-calibrated instruments.
 Portability
and mobility
A practical advantage of PODS is its mobile concept. The instrument
is easily portable which allows oil diagnosis and contamination
measurement on machines under operating conditions. Due to
it’s power independence (extended battery life and CO2
pressure for bottle sampling) PODS finds use in the most remote
locations.
Cleanliness Classification to the new ISO code
PODS is the first portable particle counter in the world with
cleanliness classification to the new three part ISO Code
of ISO 4406:2000 (4/6/14up(c) ISO-MTD). Other Standards based
on the previous ACFTD calibration to ISO 4402:1991 are also
built into the PODS (NAS 1638, MIL-STD-1246C and NAVAIR 01-1A-17)
Verifiable particle counting
The particle sensor of PODS was designed and is tested to
JIS B 9925:1997, the most demanding particle counter performance
standard worldwide. It’s counting accuracy is verified
by and traceable to manual microscopic counting of particles.
ART Instruments, Inc. (ARTI) is the only particle counter
manufacturer following this practice for all its products.
Regarding size resolution and count-accuracy, ARTI particle
counters are unsurpassed in the industry. The uncertainty
in particle numbers due to variability of the calibration
medium, inaccurate and non-specific calibration methods and
poor performing instruments are now part of the past.
 Online
or bottle sample analysis
PODS provides automatic online or bottle sample oil analysis.
A high pressure sampling adapter replaces the pressure vessel
used for bottle sampling. The adapter is directly connected
to the hydraulic system of the machine using a high pressure
hose with Minimess connector.
High Hydraulic system pressure
The particle sensor built into PODS permits direct connection
to high pressure hydraulic systems up to 420 bar (6000 psi)
for online oil sampling. This is made possible by using a
proprietary Sapphire-cell construction which does not require
pressure reduction upstream of the sensor. Reduction of the
oil sample pressure is downstream of the sensor preventing
counting errors through air/gas bubbles in the fluid.
Concentration limit 90,000
PODS is the first Portable Oil Diagnostic System which permits
high particle concentrations (up to class 24 after ISO 4406:2000)
and high viscosities (up to 850 mm2/s or 4000 SUS). Time consuming
impractical dilution is no longer required. The concentration
limit of the sensor is 90,000 Particles / ml at 10% coincidence
loss. Oil samples of higher concentrations can be analyzed
if higher coincidence losses are accepted.
Automatic sample flow control
Continuous measurement and control of the oil sample flow
and the flow rate insensitivity designed into the sensor,
permits precise particle counting at rapid changes of fluid
viscosity and pressure in the hydraulic system.
 Secure
transport
PODS is delivered in an air and watertight rugged plastic
case with rolls. This case contains all accessories needed
in the field – replacement Oxygen bottles, battery charger,
sample pump for fluid extraction from compartments, high pressure
online adapter, sample hoses, manual and space to store oil
samples in bottles. The case can be locked and is intended
for shipment from the user to a PODS Service Center without
additional packing.
Reliability through laser technology
Laser diodes have 10 times the lifetime of white light sources.
PODS sets unprecedented standards for concentration limits,
counting accuracy and sensitivity by applying the most advanced
laser diode technology to accomplishment optical stability
and laser beam definition. The newest laser technology is
also the basis for the ruggedness required from PODS in field
applications. The lifetime of the PODS laser diode is 70,000
operating hours (8 years) at 21 degrees Celsius (69 degrees
Fahrenheit ) room temperature.
PODSWare: Machine contamination database and trend
analysis
The PODS memory stores 500 measurements. This data can be
downloaded, stored and managed with PODSWare. Oil analysis
data is displayed in tabular form, as graphical distribution
charts using several international cleanliness standards as
well as in printed oil sample reports. In addition, The measured
viscosity is related to 40 degrees Celsius.
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