December 17, 1996
U. S. Patent No. 5,584,360
Method for Broad Temperature Range Lubrication with Vapors

Abstract of the disclosure:
Conventional liquid lubrication requires a compromise between high temperature lubrication and low temperature flow. The major thrust of this invention is the preservation of the long life and reliable mechanism of elastohydrodynamic lubrication in the pursuit of elevated temperature lubrication. The mechanism of EHD lubrication is the primary source of lubrication for rolling element bearings, gears, and other non-conforming contacting surfaces which must carry high loads over small areas of contact. The invention supplies the lubricant as a vapor which, upon condensation, provides an efficient replenishment of the inlet region to the elastohrydrodynamic contact. For reasons of efficiency, the surfaces are encouraged to operate at elevated temperatures without cooling. Broad temperature range EHD lubrication with perfluoroalkylpolyether fluids provide full EHD lubrication up to 500°C. The enhanced temperature range, small fluid quantity, and the supply of lubricant in a vapor environment eliminates the need for complex lubrication and cooling hardware.

June 10, 1997
U. S. Patent No. 5,636,708
Method and Device for Broad Temperature Range Vapor Lubrication

Abstract of the disclosure:
Conventional liquid lubrication requires a compromise between high temperature properties for good lubrication and low temperature properties for pumpability. The major thrust of this invention is the preservation of the long life and reliable mechanism of elastohrydrodynamic lubrication in the pursuit of elevated temperature lubrication. The mechanism of EHD lubrication is the primary source of lubrication for rolling element bearings, gears, and other non-conforming contacting surfaces which must carry high loads over small areas of contact. The invention supplies the lubricant as a vapor which upon condensation provides an efficient replenishment of the inlet region to the elastohydrodynamic contact. The surfaces are encouraged to operate at elevated temperatures without cooling for reasons of efficiency. Broad temperature range EHD lubrication with perfluoroalkylpolyether fluids provide full EHD lubrication up to 500°C. The enhanced temperature range, small fluid quantity, and the supply of lubricant in a vapor environment eliminates the need for complex lubrication and cooling hardware. The vapor lubrication scheme when applied to a rolling element bearing provides lubrication to 500°C. The invention provides high speed operation to 0.9 MDn (30,000 rpm with a 30 mm bore bearing) with the use of a driving air to overcome the internal windage generated by the high speed components.

October 21, 1997
U. S. Patent No. 5,679,883
Method and Apparatus for Comprehensive Evaluation of Tribological Materials

Abstract of the disclosure:
The present invention relates to a process and apparatus that allows a comprehensive evaluation to tribological materials. Such materials include lubricants (liquid, solid, and gaseous materials) and load bearing surfaces (bulk materials, surface treatments, and coatings). The process and apparatus enable a meaningful characterization of these materials in a way that connects basic lubrication, wear and failure mechanisms with machine hardware in its operational setting.