Method and apparatus for estimating basicity of a used, all-loss cylinder lubricant
First Claim
1. A method for determining the total base number of a used lubricant from an open, all-loss, lubricating system comprising:
- a) applying an AC voltage signal between electrodes immersed in the used lubricant,b) measuring the used lubricant dependent response to the applied signal, andc) determining the used lubricant base number from the measured response;
wherein the method further includes the steps of at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of;
i) receiving input of the total impedance or impedance equivalent of the fresh lubricant,ii) receiving input of the TBN or TBN equivalent of the fresh lubricant,iii) applying a second AC voltage signal between electrodes immersed in the fresh lubricant and measuring the fresh lubricant dependent response to the applied second signal,and combinations there of, for use in determining the used lubricant'"'"'s base number.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for determining the total base number of a used lubricant from an open, all loss, lubricating system. An AC voltage signal is applied between electrodes immersed in the used lubricant and a used-lubricant dependent response to the applied signal measured. The used lubricant base number is determined from the response. To allow for changes in the fresh lubricant inputted to the open lubricating system, the method and apparatus can have means for determining properties of the fresh lubricant needed to determine the total base number of used lubricant. To allow for possible contamination of the used lubricant, the method and apparatus can have means for determining the concentration of contamination and for determining properties of the contaminant needed to determine the total base number of used lubricant.
13 Citations
25 Claims
-
1. A method for determining the total base number of a used lubricant from an open, all-loss, lubricating system comprising:
-
a) applying an AC voltage signal between electrodes immersed in the used lubricant, b) measuring the used lubricant dependent response to the applied signal, and c) determining the used lubricant base number from the measured response; wherein the method further includes the steps of at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of; i) receiving input of the total impedance or impedance equivalent of the fresh lubricant, ii) receiving input of the TBN or TBN equivalent of the fresh lubricant, iii) applying a second AC voltage signal between electrodes immersed in the fresh lubricant and measuring the fresh lubricant dependent response to the applied second signal, and combinations there of, for use in determining the used lubricant'"'"'s base number. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
and combinations thereof, for use in determining the used lubricant'"'"'s base number.
-
-
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the properties that allow determination of the percentage concentration of contaminant in the used lubricant are flow rate of fresh lubricant into the open lubricating system and the flow rate of used lubricant out of the system.
-
11. The method of claim 9 wherein the frequencies of the third applied signals are predetermined as a function of at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of individual electrode geometry, individual lubricant temperature, individual lubricant temperature range, composition of the lubricant being monitored and combinations thereof, and the measured responses are at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of total impedance, total impedance equivalent, data that used to calculate total impedance and combinations thereof.
-
12. The method of claim 9 where the applied AC voltages are between 0.1 and 1000 Hz.
-
13. The method of claim 9 that further includes at least one of the following steps selected from the group consisting of measuring the used lubricant temperature, and compensating the used lubricant dependent response for variations in the used lubricant temperature, measuring the contaminant temperature, and compensating the fresh lubricant dependent response for variations in the fresh lubricant temperature, and combinations thereof.
-
14. An apparatus to monitor the total base number of a used lubricant from an open, all-loss, lubricating system comprising:
-
a) at least one pair of separated electrodes that are immersed in a used lubricant being monitored; b) at least one signal generator that applies an AC voltage to the electrodes; c) at least one monitor that measures a used lubricant dependent electrical response to the applied signal; and d) a controller that can analyzes applied electrical signal and corresponding measured electrical response to determine the TBN of the used lubricant; wherein the apparatus further includes a means for the controller to determine the percentage contaminant or equivalent that may be present in the used lubricant. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
-
Specification