Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Michael F. Esposito
  • Patent number: 6463796
    Abstract: A continuous on-board diagnostic lubricant monitoring system and method evaluates lubricant quality and detects incipient lubricant failure due to contamination by measuring physical characteristics of the lubricant itself. The lubrication system (1) employs a diagnostic cell (27) which samples engine lubricant (EL) from an engine (2), and exposes the samples to sensors (28) which measure its physical characteristics. The senors (28) preferably include a permittivity sensor, a viscosity sensor, and a temperature sensor. Diagnostic testing based on the measurements can be carried out on-board via a controller (30) running selected algorithms or processes. A time to condemning limit for the lubricant, i.e., the time until the lubricant has degraded to given quality level, is calculated based on permittivity data received by the controller (30) from the sensors (28). Likewise, a time to condemning limit is calculated based on viscosity data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: The Lubrizol Corporation
    Inventors: Jennifer H. Van Mullekom, Michael Charles Melnyk, Bhupinder Singh Dayal
  • Patent number: 6458172
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to fuel additive compositions of detergents combined with fluidizers and to hydrocarbon fuel compositions containing these fuel additive compositions. The fuel additive compositions of the present invention combine a Mannich detergent, formed from reaction of an alkylphenol with an aldehyde and an amine, with a fluidizer that can be a polyetheramine or a polyether or a mixture thereof and, optionally, with a succinimide detergent. Fuel compositions containing these fuel additive compositions are very effective in reducing intake valve deposits in gasoline fueled engines, especially when the weight ratio of detergent(s) to fluidizer(s) is about 1:1 on an actives basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: The Lubrizol Corporation
    Inventors: Malcolm G. J. Macduff, Mitchell M. Jackson, David C. Arters, Rodney J. McAtee
  • Patent number: 6457564
    Abstract: A lubrication system for supplying a portion of the engine lubricant to one or more gear devices driven thereby and return to the engine independent of whether the gear devices are being driven at the time. Thus even when the engine is idling engine lubricant is circulated through the gear devices to maintain the temperature of the lubricant circulating through the gear devices within a relatively narrow temperature range. Also, the lubricant level within the gear devices will be maintained without the need for inspection of the gear devices as long as the engine lubricant level is regularly checked and maintained either manually or automatically. Further, by changing the engine lubricant at regular service intervals or using an automated lubricant change system, the quality and level of the lubricant in the gear devices is also maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: The Lubrizol Corporation
    Inventors: Klaus-Werner Damm, Fredrick P. Boyle
  • Patent number: 6451745
    Abstract: Continuously variable transmission can be lubricated by supplying to them a composition of (a) an oil of lubricating viscosity; (b) a dispersant; and (c) a detergent. At least one of the dispersant (b) and the detergent (c) is a borated species, and the amount of boron present in the composition is sufficient to impart improved friction and anti-seizure properties to the composition when employed in said transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: The Lubrizol Corporation
    Inventor: William C. Ward
  • Patent number: 6448347
    Abstract: Amidoalkanesulfonic acids are prepared by reacting a molar excess of an unsaturated nitrile, a source of SO3, and an olefin, in a substantially non-aqueous medium, and transferring the crude reaction product containing amidoalkanesulfonic acid, without substantial purification steps, into an apparatus for incorporation of the amidoalkanesulfonic acid into a copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: The Lubrizol Corporation
    Inventors: Robert E. Quinn, William Michael Burk
  • Patent number: 6440905
    Abstract: A surfactant is synthesized from an amine or an alcohol and a hydrocarbyl-substituted succinic acylating agent by feeding the amine or alcohol into a stream comprising the hydrocarbyl substituted succinic acylating agent, to form a combined stream; passing the combined stream through an in-line mixer so as to effect premixing and initial reaction of the components; and thereafter passing the combined stream into a reactor, where the combined stream is further processed to form the surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: The Lubrizol Corporation
    Inventors: Donald E. Epps, Timothy C. Sepelak, Steven C. Oxley, Frederic J. Martin
  • Patent number: 6423671
    Abstract: Organo molybdenum containing oils of lubricating viscosity having improved high temperature frictional properties are made using semi-packages of additives. The semi-packages contain: (A) a dispersant, a zinc salt, and a detergent and (B) an organo molybdenum compound. The packages are formed individually prior to mixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: The Lubrizol Corporation
    Inventor: Junsuke Haruna
  • Patent number: 6419714
    Abstract: A novel crosslinked emulsifier is employed to produce a stable aqueous hydrocarbon fuel emulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: The Lubrizol Corporation
    Inventors: Claire L. Thompson, Douglas M. Barr
  • Patent number: 6412338
    Abstract: A viscometer for sensing or characterizing the stress required to shear a fluid at a given rate includes a pair of members coaxially mounted for relative rotation. Between the members is an annular gap defining a flow path for the fluid. The flow path is configured such that during differential rotation of the members, fluid is caused to flow through the annular gap that is a function of the differential rotation and the viscosity of the fluid. A sensor measures the torque or torque equivalent required to achieve such differential rotation between the members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: The Lubrizol Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick P. Boyle, Gary Garvin, Klaus-Werner Damm, Daniel H. Heath, Herman F. George, Peter J. Moore, Dale Hicks, Terence E. Robinson
  • Patent number: 6412468
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method of operating an internal combustion engine comprising a valve train, said method comprising: (A) operating said engine using a normally liquid or gaseous fuel; (B) lubricating components of said valve train using a solid film lubricant; and (C) lubricating said engine, including said components of said valve train, using a low-phosphorus or phosphorus-free lubricating oil composition, said low-phosphorus or phosphorus-free lubricating oil composition optionally containing an extreme-pressure additive comprised of metal and phosphorus, provided the amount of phosphorus contributed to said low-phosphorus or phosphorus-free lubricating oil composition by said extreme-pressure additive does not exceed about 0.08% by weight based on the weight of said low-phosphorus or phosphorus-free lubricating oil composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: The Lubrizol Corporation
    Inventors: John Kent Pudelski, William Bricker Chamberlin, III
  • Patent number: 6408812
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method of operating a spark ignition four-stroke internal combustion engine comprised of a valve train and a crankcase and equipped with an exhaust gas aftertreatment device, said method comprising: (A) operating said engine using a gasoline fuel composition, the exhaust gas from the operation of said engine being advanced through said aftertreatment device; (B) lubricating said crankcase using a first lubricating oil composition, said first lubricating oil composition optionally containing an extreme-pressure additive comprised of metal and phosphorus, provided the amount of phosphorus contributed to said first lubricating oil composition does not exceed about 0.04% by weight based on the weight of said first lubricating oil composition; and (C) lubricating said valve train using a second lubricating oil composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: The Lubrizol Corporation
    Inventors: William Bricker Chamberlin, III, John Kent Pudelski, George Steven Szappanos
  • Patent number: 6407170
    Abstract: A dispersant is prepared from an amine and a hydrocarbyl-substituted acylating agent, wherein the hydrocarbyl substituent is a polymerized olefin having a polydispersity {overscore (M)}w/{overscore (M)}n of greater than 5. Such polyolefin substituents are prepared by polymerization of olefins in the presence of a calcined catalyst comprising a partially or fully neutralized ammonium salt of a heteropolyacid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: The Lubrizol Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Johnson, James D. Burrington, Christopher J. Kolp, John K. Pudelski, Jeffry G. Dietz, Gregory R. McCullough, Charles K. Baumanis, Carlos L. Cerda de Groote
  • Patent number: 6403725
    Abstract: Disclosed is a metal containing polymer composition comprising; a metal overbased imide or ester functionalized polymer prepared by reacting (A) a polymer comprising (A1) an acidic functionalized polymer or ester functionalized polymer; (A2) an acidic mixed ester-acid of a carboxy containing interpolymer; or (A3) an ester functionalized polymer comprising a lactone and (B) a metal overbased composition that contains a reactive basic functionality comprising (B1) a metal overbased amine wherein the reactive basic functionality is a primary or secondary amino group; (B2) a metal overbased hydroxy substituted carboxylic acid wherein the reactive basic functionality is a hydroxy group; or (B3) a metal overbased dispersant wherein the reactive basic functionality is a primary or secondary amino group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: The Lubrizol Corporation
    Inventors: Nai Z. Huang, Richard M. Lange
  • Patent number: 6383237
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for making an aqueous hydrocarbon fuel composition, comprising: (A) mixing a normally liquid hydrocarbon fuel and at least one chemical additive to form a hydrocarbon fuel-additive mixture; and (B) mixing said hydrocarbon fuel-additive mixture with water under high shear mixing conditions in a high shear mixer to form said aqueous hydrocarbon fuel composition, said aqueous hydrocarbon fuel composition including a discontinuous aqueous phase, said discontinuous aqueous phase being comprised of aqueous droplets having a mean diameter of 1.0 micron or less. An apparatus for operating the foregoing process is also disclosed. Aqueous hydrocarbon fuel compositions are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventors: Deborah A. Langer, David L. Westfall, Morris E. Smith, Robert T. Graf, Harshida Dave, John J. Mullay, Daniel T. Daly, Elizabeth A. Schiferl, Brian B. Filippini, William D. Abraham, Jennifer N. Fakult
  • Patent number: 6379530
    Abstract: This invention relates to a compound represented by the formula wherein in formula (I): R is a polyisobutene group; R1, R2 and R3 are each independently hydrogen, alkyl groups of 1 to 18 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl groups of 4 to 10 carbon atoms or aryl groups of 6 to 10 carbon atoms; and n is an integer of 0 to 4. The invention relates to an additive package for use in making fuels comprising the foregoing compound. The invention also relates to fuel compositions comprising the foregoing compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: The Lubrizol Corporation
    Inventor: David J. Moreton
  • Patent number: 6374629
    Abstract: A lubricant-refrigerant composition contained within a compression refrigeration system is disclosed which comprises (A) at least one fluorine-containing hydrocarbon refrigerant containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms, further wherein fluorine is the only halogen in said fluorine-containing hydrocarbon with the proviso that 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane is not the sole refrigerant; and (B) at least one lubricant comprising (1) a hydrocarbyl substituted arene, (2) a phosphate ester, (3) an organic ester of a carboxylic acid and an alcohol, (4) a perfluoropolyethylene, (5) an ether; (6) a polyether; (7) a polyalphaolefin; or (8) a mineral oil; wherein at a temperature of above −60° C. a phase separation occurs such that at least two phases are formed, said phases being a refrigerant rich phase and a lubricant rich phase, further wherein the lubricant rich phase resides below the refrigerant rich phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: The Lubrizol Corporation
    Inventors: Jill Ellen Oberle, Thomas Edward Rajewski
  • Patent number: 6372842
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of using an aqueous composition or dispersion containing a water-soluble or water-dispersible synthetic polymer, and compositions formed thereof. The aqueous composition or dispersion is added to agricultural spray compositions, ink compositions, deicing or anti-icing compositions, latex paint and coating compositions, cleaner compositions, adhesives, fire-extinguishing chemical compositions, hydro-metallurgy/electro-winning compositions, compositions having organosilanes, personal care compositions, water-based hydraulic compositions, dust control compositions, and textile finish compositions, to impart properties including aerosol control, spatter control, shear stability, rheology control, transfer efficiency, oil/water reduction, sling control, emollient performance, film forming capability, surface activity, encapsulent ability, lubricity, thickening, and anti-wear capability, to the resultant composition formed thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: The Lubrizol Corporation
    Inventors: Bryan A. Grisso, Robert E. Quinn, Sanjay N. Kalhan, Edward J. Konzman, Saurabh S. Lawate, James H. Bush, Joseph W. Pialet, Paul Walsh, Carlos A. Piedrahita, Philip R. Miller, Alan C. Clark, David L. Facchiano, Al E. Haas, Clifford Kowall, Richard A. Denis
  • Patent number: 6372696
    Abstract: A traction fluid useful in automotive power transmitting equipment includes a base fluid of polymers of at least one olefin which contains 3 to 5 carbon atoms, hydrocarbon molecules containing non-aromatic cyclic moieties, or mixtures thereof; a low-temperature viscosity control agent selected from the group consisting of oligomers or polymers of linear alpha olefins of at least 8 carbon atoms, naphthenic oils, synthetic ester oils, polyether oils, and mixtures thereof, in an amount sufficient to reduce the low temperature viscosity of the traction fluid; and an additive package including dispersants, detergents, or mixtures thereof, along with other optional additive components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: The Lubrizol Corporation
    Inventor: Craig D. Tipton
  • Patent number: 6368367
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for making an aqueous hydrocarbon fuel composition, comprising: (A) mixing a normally liquid hydrocarbon fuel and at least one chemical additive to form a hydrocarbon fuel-additive mixture; and (B) mixing said hydrocarbon fuel-additive mixture with water under high shear mixing conditions in a high shear mixer to form said aqueous hydrocarbon fuel composition, said aqueous hydrocarbon fuel composition including a discontinuous aqueous phase, said discontinuous aqueous phase being comprised of aqueous droplets having a mean diameter of 1.0 micron or less. An apparatus for operating the foregoing process is also disclosed. Aqueous hydrocarbon fuel compositions are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: The Lubrizol Corporation
    Inventors: Deborah A. Langer, David L. Westfall, Morris E. Smith, Robert T. Graf, Harshida Dave, John J. Mullay, Daniel T. Daly, Elizabeth A. Schiferl, Brian B. Filippini, William D. Abraham
  • Patent number: 6368366
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for making an aqueous hydrocarbon fuel composition, comprising: (A) mixing a normally liquid hydrocarbon fuel and at least one chemical additive to form a hydrocarbon fuel-additive mixture; and (B) mixing said hydrocarbon fuel-additive mixture with water under high shear mixing conditions in a high shear mixer to form said aqueous hydrocarbon fuel composition, said aqueous hydrocarbon fuel composition including a discontinuous aqueous phase, said discontinuous aqueous phase being comprised of aqueous droplets having a mean diameter of 1.0 micron or less. An apparatus for operating the foregoing process is also disclosed. Aqueous hydrocarbon fuel compositions are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: The Lubrizol Corporation
    Inventors: Deborah A. Langer, David L. Westfall, Morris E. Smith, Robert T. Graf, Harshida Dave, John J. Mullay, Daniel T. Daly, Elizabeth A. Schiferl