Staged oil filter incorporating additive-releasing particles

Abstract

An improved oil conditioning filter, for use with an internal combustion engine, includes a mechanically active filter element and a chemically active filter element containing a beneficial additive therein. The beneficial additive is provided to extend the useful life of lubricating oil in an internal combustion engine. The beneficial additive may include an antioxidant, an anti-wear agent, and / or a basic salt. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the chemically active conditioning agent is provided in a plurality of particles disposed within the oil filter housing. The particles may be bonded together to form an integral porous filter element having spaces defined between the particles thereof. The particles are made either by a hot extrusion process or by a solvent process.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 867,973, filed May 30, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,291,264, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 566,034, filed May 8, 2000 and a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 566,035, filed May 8, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,379,564, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to an oil filter apparatus for use in conjunction with an internal combustion engine. More particularly, the present invention relates to an oil filter apparatus including both a mechanically active filter element and a chemically active filter element incorporated therein. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to an oil filter of the type described, in which the chemically active filter element includes a plur...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019]It is an advantage of the present invention that by forming the particles by the above-described process, a high percentage of the beneficial additive in the particle may be achieved.

[0020]Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved oil filter including a plurality of particles, wherein the particles contain one or more beneficial additives.

[0021]It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of making an improved oil filter of the type described.

Problems solved by technology

In the oil filtration art, it is well known that normal operation of an internal combustion engine, particularly a diesel engine, results in the formation of contaminants.

Both of these contaminants are typically introduced into the lubricating oil during engine operation, and tend to increase oil viscosity and to generate unwanted engine deposits, leading to increased engine wear.

These work well for a short period, but may become depleted.

Additionally, due to the solubility and chemical stability limits of these dispersants in the oil, the service lives of the lubricating oil and the oil filter are less than optimal.

The depletion of the TBN is an important limiting factor for many internal combustion engines, and in particular for heavy-duty applications with diesel engines.

The inclusion of these further additives may be beneficial; however, with conventional methods, the amount and concentration of these additives are limited by the ability of lubricating oils to suspend these additives, as well as by the chemical stability of these additives in the oil.

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