Method and apparatus for determination of lubricant stability
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for determining the stable lifetime of a lubricant when subjected to oxidizing conditions, comprising:
- an oxidation cell for containing a sample of the lubricant;
means for heating the cell to the oxidation temperature of the lubricant;
means for bubbling oxygen at a constant flow rate through the cell;
means for detecting the concentration of combustible gas in oxygen flowing out of the cell; and
means for measuring the time elapsing until the onset of a rapid increase in the concentration of combustible gas.
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Abstract
Method and apparatus for determining when a lubricant has reached the end its useful life due to oxidative degradation. The apparatus continuously monitors the evolution of gaseous emission from the lubricant when subjected to oxidizing conditions, and detects the increased gas emission accompanying oxidative breakdown.
17 Citations
10 Claims
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1. An apparatus for determining the stable lifetime of a lubricant when subjected to oxidizing conditions, comprising:
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an oxidation cell for containing a sample of the lubricant; means for heating the cell to the oxidation temperature of the lubricant; means for bubbling oxygen at a constant flow rate through the cell; means for detecting the concentration of combustible gas in oxygen flowing out of the cell; and means for measuring the time elapsing until the onset of a rapid increase in the concentration of combustible gas. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for determining the stable lifetime of a lubricant when subjected to oxidizing conditions comprising the steps of:
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disposing a sample of the lubricant under test in an oxidation cell; heating the cell to the oxidation temperature of the lubricant; bubbling oxygen at a constant flow rate through the cell; detecting the concentration of combustible gas in the oxygen flowing out of the cell; and measuring the time elapsing until the onset of a rapid increase in the concentration of combustible gas. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification