OIL SENSOR FOR A COMPRESSOR AND METHODS USING THE OIL SENSOR

Oil sensor that comprises a holder (2) to which an elongated crystal (3) is fastened that is transparent to infrared light and with a refractive index greater than the refractive index of the oil (5) to be examined, whereby a light source (7) is provided in the holder (2) at a first end (4A) of the elongated crystal (3) for transmitting light in the infrared spectrum in the elongated crystal (3), and detection means (8) at a second end (4B) of the elongated crystal (3) for measuring the intensity of the light, which during the passage through the elongated crystal (3) undergoes total reflection at a boundary plane (9) at least four times in succession in a contact zone (10) where the elongated crystal (3) comes into contact with the oil (5) to be examined, characterised in that the oil sensor (1) is further provided with at least one temperature sensor (11) to determine the temperature of at least one of the components of the oil sensor (1), and that the part of the light source (7) that can emit light can be heated to a temperature of more than 400°C.