Abstract: A lubrication system for an internal combustion engine and a method of monitoring the lubrication system are described. The lubrication system generally circulates lubricant from a sump (i.e., a reservoir), through a filtration system, to the internal combustion engine, and back to the sump. The lubrication system includes a controller that monitors a dielectric constant of the lubricant and a viscosity of the lubricant. Based on the dielectric constant, the controller can determine whether the lubricant flowing through the lubrication system is new lubricant (e.g., recently replaced lubricant) or old lubricant (e.g., lubricant that has degraded enough to be distinguished from new lubricant). If old lubricant is identified, the viscosity of the lubricant is compared against threshold viscosities to dynamically determine when the lubricant requires replacement.

Abstract: Various “no filter, no run” fuel filtration designs are described that include a variable restriction orifice (VRO) designed to vary the amount of fluid, for example fuel, that reaches a fluid outlet. The VRO has a fully open position at which a maximum non-zero fluid flow is permitted, and a fully closed position at which a limited amount of fluid can flow to the outlet. In the case of diesel fuel, the amount of fuel flow permitted at the fully closed position provides lubrication of downstream fuel system components, for example the fuel pump, but is insufficient to permit engine operation.

Abstract: A filter is described that is combined with a device to address vibrations. Such vibrations can adversely impact filter performance. An engine system including this combination is also described.

Abstract: According to one representative embodiment, a fluid storage device for storing a first fluid in a second fluid storage container fillable with a second fluid includes a first fluid storage container, a first fluid inlet coupled to the first fluid storage container, and a first fluid outlet coupled to the first fluid storage container. The first fluid storage container is flexible. The first fluid inlet is communicable in fluid receiving communication with a first fluid source. The first fluid in the first fluid storage container is caused to drain from the first fluid outlet based on at least one of a first fluid level, a first fluid storage container pressure, a second fluid storage container pressure, the second fluid storage container filling with the second fluid, the first fluid outlet being opened for first fluid egress, and a first fluid outlet pressure.

Abstract: A separation assembly is generally described that can chemically treat condensate material in a fluid stream. One particular example of a separation assembly is a crankcase filtration assembly used in engine oil filtration and that includes an additive material disposed within the crankcase filtration assembly. The additive material chemically treats condensate material of blow-by fluids received by the crankcase filtration assembly when a condition is present in the condensate material. For example, the crankcase filtration assembly provides a unique structure with a chemically treated component that can reduce an acidic condition in condensate material received by the crankcase filtration assembly, and even more generally may extend engine oil life.

Abstract: According to one representative embodiment, a fluid storage device for storing a first fluid in a second fluid storage container fillable with a second fluid includes a first fluid storage container, a first fluid inlet coupled to the first fluid storage container, and a first fluid outlet coupled to the first fluid storage container. The first fluid storage container is flexible. The first fluid inlet is communicable in fluid receiving communication with a first fluid source. The first fluid in the first fluid storage container is caused to drain from the first fluid outlet based on at least one of a first fluid level, a first fluid storage container pressure, a second fluid storage container pressure, the second fluid storage container filling with the second fluid, the first fluid outlet being opened for first fluid egress, and a first fluid outlet pressure.

Abstract: A separation assembly is generally described that can chemically treat condensate material in a fluid stream. One particular example of a separation assembly is a crankcase filtration assembly used in engine oil filtration and that includes an additive material disposed within the crankcase filtration assembly. The additive material chemically treats condensate material of blow-by fluids received by the crankcase filtration assembly when a condition is present in the condensate material. For example, the crankcase filtration assembly provides a unique structure with a chemically treated component that can reduce an acidic condition in condensate material received by the crankcase filtration assembly, and even more generally may extend engine oil life.

Abstract: A simple pass-fail tool that can be used to test the particulate contamination level in a fluid. The tool relies upon a comparison between a measured indicator of the contamination level in the fluid with another indicator of a contamination level of the fluid. Based on the comparison, conclusions about the contamination level of the fluid, and decisions about the fluid, for example that the fluid is acceptable for a particular use, can be made. The fluid can be fuel, lubrication, power transfer, heat exchange or other fluids used in a fluid system, for example fuel injection systems of diesel engines or hydraulic systems, where contamination of the fluid is of concern and use of an excessively contaminated fluid is to be avoided.

Abstract: Various “no filter, no run” fuel filtration designs are described that include a variable restriction orifice (VRO) designed to vary the amount of fluid, for example fuel, that reaches a fluid outlet. The VRO has a fully open position at which a maximum non-zero fluid flow is permitted, and a fully closed position at which a limited amount of fluid can flow to the outlet. In the case of diesel fuel, the amount of fuel flow permitted at the fully closed position provides lubrication of downstream fuel system components, for example the fuel pump, but is insufficient to permit engine operation.

Abstract: A filter is described that is combined with a device to address vibrations. Such vibrations can adversely impact filter performance. An engine system including this combination is also described.

Abstract: A filter is described that is combined with a device to address vibrations. Such vibrations can adversely impact filter performance. An engine system including this combination is also described.

Abstract: One embodiment is a filter element including an outer filter media and an inner filter media. The outer filter media is operable to remove particulates present in a flow of fluid and/or coalesce water contained in the flow of fluid. The inner filter media is operable to remove particulates from the flow of fluid, separate water form the flow of fluid, and remove particulates from the flow of fluid. Other embodiments include unique apparatus, devices, systems, and methods relating to fuel filters and filtration. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits of the present application shall become apparent from the detailed description and figures included herewith.

Abstract: Acid-neutralizing filter media includes filter media fibers in combination with a strong base of small particle size and high surface area attached to and immobilized on the filter media fibers, and methodology therefor.

Abstract: A container (1) for releasing a chemical additive (7) in a fluid material selected from a lubricant or hydraulic fluid composition comprises a fluid material-impermeable casing (3) having a hollow interior and an additive composition (7) comprising at least one fluid material-soluble additive. The additive (7) is held within the container (1) by a least one fluid material-permeable element (11) provided at or near an opening (13) in the casing (1) and is effective to provide for release of additive(s) (7) into the fluid material. Methods of releasing additives (7) into fluid material are also provided.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for making a filter element by spinning fibers from one or more dies onto a collector, including designated combinations providing designated filter characteristics.

Abstract: A coalescer has variable characteristics including variable diameter of individual fibers along their length such that an individual fiber has differing diameters at different points along its length, and including variable porosity.

Abstract: A coalescer includes fibrous media capturing droplets of the dispersed phase, coalescingly growing the droplets into larger drops which further coalesce and grow to form pools that drain, and adapted to reduce pressure drop thereacross by increasing dispersed phase drainage therefrom.

Abstract: A coalescer is provided minimizing trade-offs among high removal efficiency, low pressure drop, long service life, and small size.

Abstract: A filter has multiple pleated filter elements having axially extending channels having a transverse pleat channel height and a lateral channel width. The pleated filter elements have different channel heights.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for multistage water separation. A first separation layer separates water droplets from a fuel flow by repelling the first water droplets. A coalescing layer may coalesce fine water droplets in the fuel flow. In one embodiment, a centrifugal separator directs the fuel flow tangentially to a filter wall and the centrifugal force of the fuel flow directed tangentially along the filter wall biases water droplets from the fuel flow. A second separation layer separates second water droplets from the fuel flow.