Patent FR863192A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3981584A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3981584A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Prediction of engine failure by examination of particle size distribution of metal particles in lubricant
Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
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Filing: 1974-12-23
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Granted: 1976-09-21
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Expires: 1994-12-23
Abstract
Abstract Method for predicting incipient failure of a lubricated engine by removing a sample of the liquid lubricant employed after the same has been in contact with the moving metal surfaces of the engine. The metal wear particles contained in the lubricant are then separated into at least three predetermined size ranges by passage through membranes having pore openings corresponding in size to such predetermined size. Each of the fractions so separated is analyzed for a selected metal contaminant, such as iron, and the content of such metal contaminant is plotted against the particle size thereof. The likelihood of mechanical failure is determined from the shape of the resulting graph, with a preponderance of large metal contaminant particles being indicative of incipient engine failure.
Inventors
- 👤 Jon Anthony Guymer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 10:57
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N15/00; G01N15/06; G01N15/0606; G01N15/0618; G01N15/0625; F; F01; F01M; F01M11/00; F01M11/10; F16; F16N; F16N29/00; G01N15/02; G01N15/0272; G01N33/00; G01N33/26; G01N33/28; G01N33/2835; G01N33/2858; F16N2200/00; F16N2200/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for predicting incipient failure of an apparatus having moving metal surfaces, which surfaces are wetted with a liquid lubricant which comprises separating the metal wear particles contained in a sample of said lubricant into at least three predetermined size ranges by passage through membranes having pore openings corresponding in size to said predetermined size, analyzing each of the fractions so separated for a selected metal contaminant, plotting the content of said metal contaminant for each of said fractions against the particle size thereof and determining the likelihood of mechanical failure in said apparatus from the shape of the resulting graph.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for predicting incipient failure of an apparatus having moving metal surfaces, which surfaces are wetted with a liquid lubricant which comprises separating the metal wear particles contained in a sample of said lubricant into at least three predetermined size ranges by passage through membranes having pore openings corresponding in size to said predetermined size, analyzing each of the fractions so separated for a selected metal contaminant, plotting the content of said metal contaminant for each of said fractions against the particle size thereof and determining the likelihood of mechanical failure in said apparatus from the shape of the resulting graph.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said apparatus is an engine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said apparatus is a jet engine.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said metal contaminant is iron.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said predetermined size ranges include a lower size range of between 0.1 and 0.8 micron, an upper size range between 1 and 5 mircons and an intermediate size range between the selected lower size and upper size range.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said predetermined size ranges include particles below 0.3 micron, between 0.3 and 1.2 micron and greater than 1.2 micron.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3526127A
Cited
US3709614A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-09-21 | 1980-03-22 | 1980-09-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-09-21 | 1984-03-22 | 1984-09-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-09-21 | 1988-03-22 | 1988-09-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |