Method for protecting an internal combustion engine by determining the change point of the lubrication oil
First Claim
1. An on-site method for protecting an internal combustion engine by precisely determining the change point for the lubricating oil of the engine in the field for maximum utilization of the oil and for preventing damage to the engine, comprising the steps of:
- measuring a predetermined amount of lubrication oil withdrawn from an internal combustion engine at the site in the field;
diluting the predetermined amount of lubrication oil with a predetermined amount of titration solvent;
titrating the predetermined amount of diluted lubrication oil at the site in the field with an amount of a first premixed titrating solution sufficient to reduce the pH level of the lubrication oil to a first predetermined value;
determining the Total Base Number at the site in the field from the measured amount of the first titrating solution; and
changing the lubricating oil when the Total Base Number declines to a value of from about 1.0 to 0.5.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A new and improved on-site method for protecting an internal combustion engine in the field for maximizing service time by determining the change point of the lubrication oil when the TBN declines to a predetermined level. The on-site method utilizes a new field system fitted in a portable carrying case or a small cabinet and containing all the equipment necessary for analyzing lubrication oil including predetermined indicator marks on equipment for simplicity of application and for facilitating use by unskilled operators. The method includes two steps of titrating samples of lubrication oil for obtaining the TBN and TAN to indicate the change point of the lubricating oil when the TBN declines to a predetermined minimum. The method also can indicate a predicted change point so downtime for engine servicing can be scheduled. The TAN serves as an indicator of the amount of acid build-up in the lubrication oil.
20 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An on-site method for protecting an internal combustion engine by precisely determining the change point for the lubricating oil of the engine in the field for maximum utilization of the oil and for preventing damage to the engine, comprising the steps of:
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measuring a predetermined amount of lubrication oil withdrawn from an internal combustion engine at the site in the field; diluting the predetermined amount of lubrication oil with a predetermined amount of titration solvent; titrating the predetermined amount of diluted lubrication oil at the site in the field with an amount of a first premixed titrating solution sufficient to reduce the pH level of the lubrication oil to a first predetermined value; determining the Total Base Number at the site in the field from the measured amount of the first titrating solution; and changing the lubricating oil when the Total Base Number declines to a value of from about 1.0 to 0.5. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 11)
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6. An on-site method for protecting an internal combustion engine by precisely determining the change point for the lubricating oil of the engine in the field and for preventing damage to the engine, comprising the steps of:
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adding in the order of five grams of lubricating oil from the engine crankcase on-site in the field to a first container as determined by a portable scale preset for the container; pouring in the order of 125 ml premixed titration solvent from a first storage container up to a predetermined mark on the first container; inserting a magnetic stirrer in the first container and positioning the first container on a magnetic stirrer base for providing agitation of the solution in the first container; installing an electrode of a portable pH meter in the first container for measuring the pH of the solution in the first container; pouring in the order of 25 ml of 0.1 n HC1 alcoholic from a second container to a predetermined zero mark of a first burette; titrating the solution in the first container with the first burette to lower the pH of the solution to in the order of 4 on the pH meter; reading the first burette to determine the volume of 0.1 N HC1 alcoholic used; determining the Total Base Number from the volume of 0.1 N HC1 alcoholic used; and changing the lubrication oil when the Total Base Number has declined to a value of from about 1.0 to 0.5. - View Dependent Claims (7, 9, 10)
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12. An on-site method for protecting an internal combustion engine by precisely determining the change point for the lubricating oil of the engine in the field and for preventing damage to the engine, comprising the steps of:
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determining the Total Base Number at the site in the field; and changing the lubrication oil when the Total Base Number has declined to a value of from about 1.0 to 0.5. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 17)
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15. An on-site method for protecting an internal combustion engine by precisely determining the change point for the lubricating oil of the engine in the field for maximum utilization of the oil and for preventing damage to the engine, consisting of the steps:
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determining the Total Base Number at the site in the field; and changing the lubricating oil when the Total Base Number declines to a value of from about 1.0 to 0.5. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification