Patent US3590957A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3590957A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Distribution of solid lubricants having fusible binders
Assignee: Midwest Research Institute
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Filing: 1968-11-25
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Granted: 1971-07-06
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Expires: 1988-11-25
Abstract
Abstract A solid lubricant having a low fusion temperature binder is applied to the wear surface of a machine element by transferring the lubricant from a reservoir disposed such that the lubricant is in heat exchange relationship with the element. The melting temperature of the lubricant binder is greater than the normal operating temperature of the element, thus melting of the binder and attendant transfer of the lubricant, such as by flow thereof in the melted state, occurs when the element develops excessive heat due to lubrication depletion. Depending on the melting temperature of the binder, the solid lubricant may be employed for primary lubrication or utilized as a backup lubricant which is distributed on the wear surface in the event of depletion of the primary lubricant.
Inventors
- 👤 Mahlon E Campbell
- 👤 Vernice Hopkins
- 👤 Roger J Schroeder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 17:41
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C19/00; F16C19/52; F16C33/00; F16C33/30; F16C33/66; F16C33/6696; F16N; F16N15/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A method of lubricating the wear surface of a machine element, the latter having a normal operating temperature and developing excessive heat in the absence of lubrication, said method comprising the steps of: providing a reservoir containing a solid lubricant having a lubricating pigment disposed in a fusible binder which melts at a temperature greater than said normal operating temperature; positioning said lubricant in heat exchange relationship with said element; transferring said lubricant from said reservoir to said wear surface when the binder is heated to the melting temperature thereof in response to the development of excessive heat by said element; and thereafter distributing the melted lubricant over said wear surface to form a lubricating film thereon and effect reduction of the temperature of said element to cause resolidification of the binder and adhesion of the film to the wear surface as the element returns to said normal operating temperature.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
150 words
A method of lubricating the wear surface of a machine element, the latter having a normal operating temperature and developing excessive heat in the absence of lubrication, said method comprising the steps of: providing a reservoir containing a solid lubricant having a lubricating pigment disposed in a fusible binder which melts at a temperature greater than said normal operating temperature; positioning said lubricant in heat exchange relationship with said element; transferring said lubricant from said reservoir to said wear surface when the binder is heated to the melting temperature thereof in response to the development of excessive heat by said element; and thereafter distributing the melted lubricant over said wear surface to form a lubricating film thereon and effect reduction of the temperature of said element to cause resolidification of the binder and adhesion of the film to the wear surface as the element returns to said normal operating temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the steps of transferring said lubricant from said reservoir to said wear surface and distributing the melted lubricant thereover are effected by flow of said lubricant upon melting of said binder.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of lubricating the wear surface of a machine element, the latter having a normal operating temperature and developing excessive heat in the absence of lubrication, said method comprising the steps of: providing said element with a primary lubricant on said wear surface; providing a reservoir containing a solid, fusible backup lubricant which melts at a temperature greater than said normal operating temperature and indicative of a distress condition preceding ultimate failure of said element; positioning said backup lubricant in heat exchange relationship with said element; and transferring said backup lubricant from said reservoir to said wear surface when the backup lubricant is heated to the melting temperature thereof in response to the development of excessive heat by said element.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of lubricating the wear surface of a machine element, the latter having a normal operating temperature and developing excessive heat in the absence of lubrication, said method comprising the steps of: providing said element with a primary lubricant on said wear surface; providing a reservoir containing a solid, fusible backup lubricant which melts at a temperature greater than said normal operating temperature and indicative of a distress condition preceding ultimate failure of said element; positioning said backup lubricant in heat exchange relationship with said element; and transferring said backup lubricant from said reservoir to said wear surface when the backup lubricant is heated to the melting temperature thereof in response to the development of excessive heat by said element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the step of transferring said backup lubricant from said reservoir to said wear surface is effected by flow of said backup lubricant upon melting thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the step of transferring said backup lubricant from said reservoir to said wear surface is effected by movement of said backup lubricant into rubbing contact with said surface upon melting of said backup lubricant.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
90 words
The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein is provided the additional steps of: providing a second reservoir containing a second, solid, fusible backup lubricant which melts at a temperature greater than the melting temperature of the first mentioned backup lubricant; positioning said second backup lubricant in heat eXchange relationship with said element; and transferring said second backup lubricant from said second reservoir to said wear surface when the second backup lubricant is heated to the melting temperature thereof in response to the development of excessive heat by said element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein is provided the additional step of: providing said backup lubricant with an identifying characteristic capable of detection upon transfer of the backup lubricant from said reservoir to said wear surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
172 words
In combination with a machine element provided with a wear surface, said element having a normal operating temperature and developing excessive heat in the absence of lubrication: first reservoir means containing a first, solid, fusible lubricant having a melting temperature greater than said normal operating temperature, said reservoir means being disposed with said lubricant in heat exchange relationship with said element for transfer of said lubricant from said reservoir means to said wear surface when the lubricant is heated to the melting temperature thereof in response to the development of excessive heat by said element; and second reservoir means containing a second, solid, fusible lubricant having a melting temperature greater than the melting temperature of said first lubricant, said second reservoir means being disposed with said second lubricant in heat exchange relationship with said element for transfer of said second lubricant from said second reservoir means to said wear surface when the second lubricant is heated to the melting temperature thereof in response to the development of excessive heat by said element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
172 words
In combination with a machine element provided with a wear surface, said element having a normal operating temperature and developing excessive heat in the absence of lubrication: first reservoir means containing a first, solid, fusible lubricant having a melting temperature greater than said normal operating temperature, said reservoir means being disposed with said lubricant in heat exchange relationship with said element for transfer of said lubricant from said reservoir means to said wear surface when the lubricant is heated to the melting temperature thereof in response to the development of excessive heat by said element; and second reservoir means containing a second, solid, fusible lubricant having a melting temperature greater than the melting temperature of said first lubricant, said second reservoir means being disposed with said second lubricant in heat exchange relationship with said element for transfer of said second lubricant from said second reservoir means to said wear surface when the second lubricant is heated to the melting temperature thereof in response to the development of excessive heat by said element.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
191 words
A method of lubricating the wear surface of a machine element, the latter having a normal operating temperature and developing excessive heat in the absence of lubrication, said method comprising the steps of: providing a reservoir containing a solid lubricant body having a lubricating pigment disposed in a fusible binder which melts at a temperature greater than said normal operating temperature; positioning said lubricant body in heat exchange relationship with said element for progressive melting of the body upon application of heat thereto from said element; transferring melted lubricant from said reservoir to said wear surface when a portion of said body is heated to the melting temperature of said binder in response to the development of excessive heat by said element; distributing the melted lubricant over said wear surface to form a lubricating film thereon and effect reduction of the temperature of said element to cause resolidification of the binder and adhesion of the film to the wear surface as the element returns to said normal operating temperature; and repeating the foregoing steps of transferring and distributing melted lubricant when said film becomes depleted to thereby relubricate the wear surface.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
191 words
A method of lubricating the wear surface of a machine element, the latter having a normal operating temperature and developing excessive heat in the absence of lubrication, said method comprising the steps of: providing a reservoir containing a solid lubricant body having a lubricating pigment disposed in a fusible binder which melts at a temperature greater than said normal operating temperature; positioning said lubricant body in heat exchange relationship with said element for progressive melting of the body upon application of heat thereto from said element; transferring melted lubricant from said reservoir to said wear surface when a portion of said body is heated to the melting temperature of said binder in response to the development of excessive heat by said element; distributing the melted lubricant over said wear surface to form a lubricating film thereon and effect reduction of the temperature of said element to cause resolidification of the binder and adhesion of the film to the wear surface as the element returns to said normal operating temperature; and repeating the foregoing steps of transferring and distributing melted lubricant when said film becomes depleted to thereby relubricate the wear surface.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-05 | 1975-01-04 | 1975-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-05 | 1979-01-04 | 1979-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-05 | 1983-01-04 | 1983-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |