| Summary: | The operating performance and reliability of tribological systems at present are main- tained by employing periodic or online diagnostic techniques. These techniques have of course been effective in enhancing the performance, reliability and durability of various systems. However, these systems invariably have to be shutdown for tak- ing the necessary corrective action based on a system’s condition. This approach is usually considered passive and presently there are not many active methods which enable corrective action in situ to maintain the desired performance, reliability and durability of complex technological systems. The Division of Machine Elements at Luleå University of Technology has recently coined a new term Tribotronics. It is essentially based on combining the knowledge of tribology and electronics for actively controlling and optimising the performance, reliability and durability of modern tech- nological systems. Tribotronics at present is just an idea and a lot of Research and Development work will have to be carried out for developing viable and reliable Tribotronic systems. This thesis is thus a first step towards developing a Tribotronic system in the long run. As is well known, a lubricant plays a very crucial role in controlling (minimising) friction and wear in machines. The deterioration of its prop- erties during ageing can therefore significantly influence the performance, reliability and durability of technological systems. There are of course several laboratory tests to analyse and measure the changes in properties of used lubricants but the under- standing of their the ageing during service is far from satisfactory. There is thus a clear need to developed some techniques or systems to monitor, and analyse in situ the ageing behaviour of a lubricant during use. This work has focused on the development and implementation of a Tribotronic Diagnostic System (TDS) to monitor the ageing of lubricant in the Haldex Limited Slip Coupling (HLSC) test rig available at Tribolab, at Luleå ...
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