Lubrication system

Abstract

The present invention provides a system for inline processing of a lubricant fluid used for lubricating a device, the system comprising a first flow path from the device, a first sensor disposed in the first flow path, a lubricant processing system comprising one or more filters, a dewatering system, and an additive injection system, a return flow path from the lubricant processing system to the device, and a second sensor disposed in the return flow path, wherein the first and second sensors and the lubricant processing system communicate with means for processing data from the sensors and providing commands to the processing system, enabling evaluation of the state of the lubricant fluid and processing of the lubricant fluid in the lubricant processing system, the system wherein the lubricant fluid is circulated through the device and system.

Claims

[Claim 1] A system for inline processing of lubricant fluid used for lubricating equipment, The first flow path from the aforementioned device, A first sensor disposed within the first flow path, A lubricant treatment system comprising one or more filters, a dewatering system, and an additive dispensing system, A return channel from the lubricant treatment system to the apparatus, The system comprises a second sensor disposed within the return channel, The first sensor and the second sensor and the lubricant processing system communicate with means for processing data from the sensors and providing commands to the processing system, enabling evaluation of the state of the lubricant fluid and processing of the lubricant fluid within the lubricant processing system. The lubricating fluid is circulated through the apparatus and the system. [Claim 2] The system according to claim 1, wherein an oil tank is disposed between the first flow path and the return flow path, and the lubricant treatment system is connected to the oil tank rather than directly to the first flow path and the return flow path. [Claim 3] The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lubricating fluid is circulated through the system by one or more pumps. [Claim 4] The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lubricated device is selected from an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, an automatic transmission, a manual transmission, an industrial gearbox, a differential, a hydraulic system, and a turbine. [Claim 5] The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein one or more filters are selected from mechanical sieve filters, cellulose filters, functionalized ion exchange filters, nanoceramic filters, filters incorporating chemical booster systems for improving the separation of contaminants, and combinations thereof. [Claim 6] The system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the filter is in the form of a replaceable filter cartridge. [Claim 7] The system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor each comprise one or more sensors suitable for electronically measuring one or more properties of the lubricant fluid. [Claim 8] The system according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the sensors, including the first sensor and the second sensor, includes a microwave sensor or an infrared sensor. [Claim 9] A method for extending the life of a lubricating fluid used for lubricating a device, wherein the method is: Circulating the lubricant fluid through the apparatus and system described in any one of claims 1 to 8, Based on the data collected by the aforementioned sensor, the state of the lubricant is monitored, Based on the state of the lubricant, one or more additives are administered from the additive administration system. Methods that include... [Claim 10] Use of the system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, or the method according to claim 9, for extending the life of the lubricating fluid to at least the same length as the life of the apparatus.

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