US6851414B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system to extend lubricant life in internal combustion EGR systems
Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Co
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Filing: 2003-07-15
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Granted: 2005-02-08
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Expires: 2023-07-15
Abstract
Abstract A device and method to extend the useful lubricant life in a diesel engine equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system consisting of placing a chemical filter in an area of relatively higher humidity either in the EGR stream or near the intake manifold. In some cases, placing chemical filters in both locations would be preferred. This device may also be used in combination with a chemical filter placed in the lubricant recirculation system which produces a synergistic effect beyond the individual effects of either component.
Inventors
- 👤 Jason Zhisheng Gao
- 👤 Mahmoud Mostafa Hafez
- 👤 Riccardo Conti
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 01:30
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02M; F02M26/00; F02M26/13; F02M26/35; F02M26/22; F02M26/23; F02M26/27; F02B; F02B29/00; F02B29/04; F02B29/0406; F02M26/02; F02M26/04; F02M26/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A device to extend the useful life of a lubricant in an EGR equipped engine comprising: a) a chemical filter placed in the EGR stream; and b) a heat exchanger/cooler placed in the upstream of the filter to reduce the temperature of said EGR stream and to increase the relative humidity the chemical filter being at a location in the EGR stream wherein the temperature of the EGR stream is such that the relative humidity of the EGR stream is greater than about 20% .
Claim 2
Independent Claim
85 words
A device to extend the useful life of a lubricant in an EGR equipped engine comprising: a) a chemical filter placed in the EGR stream; and b) a heat exchanger/cooler placed in the upstream of the filter to reduce the temperature of said EGR stream and to increase the relative humidity the chemical filter being at a location in the EGR stream wherein the temperature of the EGR stream is such that the relative humidity of the EGR stream is greater than about 20% .
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device as in claim 1 wherein the chemical filter is placed in said EGR stream wherein the temperature of the EGR stream is such that the relative humidity of the EGR stream is greater than about 50%.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
80 words
A method to extend the useful life of an EGR equipped internal combustion engine comprising: a) placing a chemical filter in the EGR stream; and b) cooling the EGR stream using a heat exchanger/cooler thereby increasing the relative humidity of the EGR stream to greater than about 20%, the heat exchanger/cooler being placed upstream of the filter, whereby acidic components in the EGR stream are removed by the chemical filter before the EGR stream is introduced into the intake manifold.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
80 words
A method to extend the useful life of an EGR equipped internal combustion engine comprising: a) placing a chemical filter in the EGR stream; and b) cooling the EGR stream using a heat exchanger/cooler thereby increasing the relative humidity of the EGR stream to greater than about 20%, the heat exchanger/cooler being placed upstream of the filter, whereby acidic components in the EGR stream are removed by the chemical filter before the EGR stream is introduced into the intake manifold.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
96 words
A device to extend the useful life of a lubricant in an EGR equipped engine comprising: a) an optional chemical filter placed in the EGR stream; b) a chemical filter placed just before the intake manifold; and c) a heat exchanger/cooler placed in the upstream of the chemical filters to reduce the temperature of said EGR stream and to increase the relative humidity the chemical filter being at a location in the EGR stream wherein the temperature of the EGR stream is such that the relative humidity of the EGR stream is greater than about 20%.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
96 words
A device to extend the useful life of a lubricant in an EGR equipped engine comprising: a) an optional chemical filter placed in the EGR stream; b) a chemical filter placed just before the intake manifold; and c) a heat exchanger/cooler placed in the upstream of the chemical filters to reduce the temperature of said EGR stream and to increase the relative humidity the chemical filter being at a location in the EGR stream wherein the temperature of the EGR stream is such that the relative humidity of the EGR stream is greater than about 20%.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device as in claim 4 wherein the chemical filter is placed in locations in the EGR stream wherein the temperature of the EGR stream is such that the relative humidity is greater than about 50%.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
103 words
A method to extend the useful life of an EGR equipped internal combustion engine comprising: a) placing an optional chemical filter in the EGR stream; b) placing a chemical filter just before the intake manifold at a location after the EGR stream is merged with intake air; and c) cooling the EGR stream using a heat exchanger/cooler thereby increasing the relative humidity of the EGR stream to greater than about 20%, the heat exchanger/cooler being placed upstream of the filters, whereby acidic components in the EGR stream are removed by the chemical filters before the EGR stream is introduced into the intake manifold.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
103 words
A method to extend the useful life of an EGR equipped internal combustion engine comprising: a) placing an optional chemical filter in the EGR stream; b) placing a chemical filter just before the intake manifold at a location after the EGR stream is merged with intake air; and c) cooling the EGR stream using a heat exchanger/cooler thereby increasing the relative humidity of the EGR stream to greater than about 20%, the heat exchanger/cooler being placed upstream of the filters, whereby acidic components in the EGR stream are removed by the chemical filters before the EGR stream is introduced into the intake manifold.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
97 words
A device to extend the useful life of a lubricant in an EGR equipped engine comprising: a) a chemical filter placed in the EGR stream; b) a heat exchanger/cooler placed in the upstream of the chemical filter to reduce the temperature of said EGR stream and to increase the relative humidity; and c) an oil filter capable of neutralizing acids in the engine lubricant the chemical filter being at a location in the EGR stream wherein the temperature of the EGR stream is such that the relative humidity of the EGR stream is greater than about 20%.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
97 words
A device to extend the useful life of a lubricant in an EGR equipped engine comprising: a) a chemical filter placed in the EGR stream; b) a heat exchanger/cooler placed in the upstream of the chemical filter to reduce the temperature of said EGR stream and to increase the relative humidity; and c) an oil filter capable of neutralizing acids in the engine lubricant the chemical filter being at a location in the EGR stream wherein the temperature of the EGR stream is such that the relative humidity of the EGR stream is greater than about 20%.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device as in claim 7 wherein the chemical filter is placed in locations in the EGR stream wherein the temperature of the EGR stream is such that the relative humidity is greater than about 50%.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
96 words
A method to extend the useful life of an EGR equipped internal combustion engine comprising: a) placing a chemical filter in the EGR system; b) cooling the EGR stream using a heat exchanger/cooler thereby increasing the relative humidity of the EGR stream to greater than 20%, the heat exchanger/cooler being placed upstream of the filter, whereby acidic components in the EGR stream are removed by the chemical filter before the EGR stream is introduced into the intake manifold; and c) placing an oil filter into the lubricating system capable of neutralizing acids in the engine lubricant.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
96 words
A method to extend the useful life of an EGR equipped internal combustion engine comprising: a) placing a chemical filter in the EGR system; b) cooling the EGR stream using a heat exchanger/cooler thereby increasing the relative humidity of the EGR stream to greater than 20%, the heat exchanger/cooler being placed upstream of the filter, whereby acidic components in the EGR stream are removed by the chemical filter before the EGR stream is introduced into the intake manifold; and c) placing an oil filter into the lubricating system capable of neutralizing acids in the engine lubricant.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
87 words
A device to extend the useful life of a lubricant in an EGR equipped engine comprising: a) an optional chemical filter placed in the EGR stream; b) a chemical filter placed just before the intake manifold at a location after the EGR stream is merged with intake air; c) a heat exchanger/cooler placed in the upstream of the chemical filters to reduce the temperature of said EGR stream and to increase the relative humidity; and d) an oil filter capable of neutralizing acids in the engine lubricant.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
87 words
A device to extend the useful life of a lubricant in an EGR equipped engine comprising: a) an optional chemical filter placed in the EGR stream; b) a chemical filter placed just before the intake manifold at a location after the EGR stream is merged with intake air; c) a heat exchanger/cooler placed in the upstream of the chemical filters to reduce the temperature of said EGR stream and to increase the relative humidity; and d) an oil filter capable of neutralizing acids in the engine lubricant.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device as in claim 10 wherein the chemical filter is placed in locations in the EGR stream wherein the temperature of the EGR stream is such that the relative humidity is greater than about 20%.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device as in claim 10 wherein the chemical filter is placed in locations in the EGR stream wherein the temperature of the EGR stream is such that the relative humidity is greater than about 50%.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
115 words
A method to extend the useful life of an EGR equipped internal combustion engine comprising: a) placing an optional chemical filter in the EGR stream; b) placing a chemical filter just before the intake manifold at a location after the EGR stream is merged with intake air; c) cooling the EGR stream using a heat exchanger/cooler thereby increasing the relative humidity of the EGR stream, the heat exchanger/cooler being placed upstream of the filter, whereby acidic components in the EGR stream are removed by the chemical filter before the EGR stream is introduced into the intake manifold; and d) placing an oil filter into the lubrication system capable of neutralizing acids in the engine lubricant.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
115 words
A method to extend the useful life of an EGR equipped internal combustion engine comprising: a) placing an optional chemical filter in the EGR stream; b) placing a chemical filter just before the intake manifold at a location after the EGR stream is merged with intake air; c) cooling the EGR stream using a heat exchanger/cooler thereby increasing the relative humidity of the EGR stream, the heat exchanger/cooler being placed upstream of the filter, whereby acidic components in the EGR stream are removed by the chemical filter before the EGR stream is introduced into the intake manifold; and d) placing an oil filter into the lubrication system capable of neutralizing acids in the engine lubricant.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 1 , 4 , 7 or 10 wherein the chemical filter is placed in locations in the EGR stream wherein the temperature of the EGR stream is only slightly above its dew point.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 3 , 6 , 9 or 13 wherein the EGR stream is cooled using a heat exchanger/cooler to a temperature only slightly above its dew point.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2008-02-08 | 2008-08-09 | 2009-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-02-08 | 2012-08-09 | 2013-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-02-08 | 2016-08-09 | 2017-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |