OIL MIST DETECTION APPARATUS HAVING TRANSPARENT-WINDOW CONTAMINATION DETECTION PART, AND TRANSPARENT WINDOW CONTAMINATION DETECTION METHOD FOR OIL MIST DETECTION APPARATUS

The present invention relates to an oil mist detection apparatus having a transparent- window contamination detection part and to a transparent-window contamination detection method for oil mist detection apparatus. An oil mist detection apparatus having a transparent-window contamination detection unit according to the present invention comprises luminous elements, light receiving elements and transparent-windows provided in an oil mist detection tube disposed in the interior of an internal combustion engine, and has a transparent-window contamination detection unit comprising: a memory part for storing data for a set contamination reference time for the transparent-window based on the operation of the internal combustion engine, a reference variation in an amount of received light incident on the light receiving elements through the transparent-windows due to an increase in the average pulse voltage applied to the luminous elements prior to exposure to oil mists, and data on an allowable error range for the reference variation in the amount of received light; a sensor for monitoring the operational status of the internal combustion engine; a timer for cumulatively counting the operational periods of the internal combustion engine; and a control part for determining the transparent-windows as contaminated when the cumulative operational periods of the internal combustion engine reaches the set contamination reference time for the transparent-windows, and, for determining the transparent-windows as contaminated and issuing a warning when the internal combustion engine is not operational and the real amount of light incident on the light receiving elements through the transparent-windows is outside the allowable error range for reference variation in the amount of received light.