Patents by Inventor Darrell W. Brownawell

Darrell W. Brownawell has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20140163296
    Abstract: Novel filter elements for sequestering acids from oil or fuel, the strong base flocs that comprise the filter elements, and methods of their preparation and use are disclosed. The filter elements comprise a mechanically linked interlocking fiber matrix interspersed with strong base particle flocs wherein the strong base particles constitute at least 30% by weight of the filter element. Certain filter elements may be useful for sequestering acids or neutralized acids in certain oils or fuels, for example, the acids originating in the combustion and lubrication system of an internal combustion engine or those contained in oils in an oil circulation system. Other filter elements may be useful for reducing oxidation of an oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: LUTEK, LLC
    Inventors: Scott P. Lockledge, Darrell W. Brownawell
  • Patent number: 8691096
    Abstract: Novel filter elements for sequestering acids from oil or fuel, the strong base flocs that comprise the filter elements, and methods of their preparation and use are disclosed. The filter elements comprise a mechanically linked interlocking fiber matrix interspersed with strong base particle flocs wherein the strong base particles constitute at least 30% by weight of the filter element. Certain filter elements may be useful for sequestering acids or neutralized acids in certain oils or fuels, for example, the acids originating in the combustion and lubrication system of an internal combustion engine or those contained in oils in an oil circulation system. Other filter elements may be useful for reducing oxidation of an oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Lutek, LLC
    Inventors: Scott P. Lockledge, Darrell W. Brownawell
  • Patent number: 8607991
    Abstract: A lubrication system having an oil filter modified to replace or supplement the performance of lubricant additives that may be used within an internal combustion engine to increase the performance of a lubricant. The formulation of the lubricant is changed in accordance with the chemicals placed in the oil filter. For example, when the oil filter contains a strong base, the lubricant concentration of detergent will decrease, in some cases to zero, while the dispersant concentration in the lubricant will increase. The resultant closed system allows the oil drain intervals to be significantly extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Lutek, LLC
    Inventors: Scott P. Lockledge, Darrell W. Brownawell
  • Publication number: 20120175309
    Abstract: Novel filter elements for sequestering acids from oil or fuel, the strong base flocs that comprise the filter elements, and methods of their preparation and use are disclosed. The filter elements comprise a mechanically linked interlocking fiber matrix interspersed with strong base particle flocs wherein the strong base particles constitute at least 30% by weight of the filter element. Certain filter elements may be useful for sequestering acids or neutralized acids in certain oils or fuels, for example, the acids originating in the combustion and lubrication system of an internal combustion engine or those contained in oils in an oil circulation system. Other filter elements may be useful for reducing oxidation of an oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: LUTEK, LLC
    Inventors: Scott P. Lockledge, Darrell W. Brownawell
  • Patent number: 8016125
    Abstract: A chemical filter for use within an internal combustion engine lubrication system. The chemical filter employs filtration media including particles having internal pores and interstitial pores formed between adjacent particles. The internal pores and the interstitial pores collectively define filtration media pores, and a strong base material is associated with at least some of the internal pores. The filtration media has a surface area greater than or equal to 25 m2/gm that is derived from filtration media pores that are large enough to receive a combustion acid-weak base complex contained within oil flowing through the chemical filter. This enables an ion-exchange process to occur that immobilizes the combustion acids and regenerates the weak base, so as to extend the time intervals between oil drains, among other benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Lutek, LLC
    Inventors: Scott P. Lockledge, Darrell W. Brownawell
  • Publication number: 20090194484
    Abstract: Novel filter elements for sequestering acids from oil or fuel, the strong base floes that comprise the filter elements, and methods of their preparation and use are disclosed. The filter elements comprise a mechanically linked interlocking fiber matrix interspersed with strong base particle floes wherein the strong base particles constitute at least 30% by weight of the filter element. Certain filter elements may be useful for sequestering acids or neutralized acids in certain oils or fuels, for example, the acids originating in the combustion and lubrication system of an internal combustion engine or those contained in oils in an oil circulation system. Other filter elements may be useful for reducing oxidation of an oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: Lutek, LLC
    Inventors: Scott P. Lockledge, Darrell W. Brownawell
  • Publication number: 20090139483
    Abstract: A lubrication system having an oil filter modified to replace or supplement the performance of lubricant additives that may be used within an internal combustion engine to increase the performance of a lubricant. The formulation of the lubricant is changed in accordance with the chemicals placed in the oil filter. For example, when the oil filter contains a strong base, the lubricant concentration of detergent will decrease, in some cases to zero, while the dispersant concentration in the lubricant will increase. The dispersant is the ideal weak base to neutralize combustion acid at the piston ring zone, carry the resultant weak base-combustion acid complex to the strong base in the oil filter, undergo ion exchange with the strong base, immobilize the acid in the oil filter and recycle back to the piston ring zone for reuse as an acid neutralization agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: Lutek, LLC
    Inventors: Scott P. Lockledge, Darrell W. Brownawell
  • Patent number: 7520371
    Abstract: A lubrication system having an oil filter modified to replace or supplement the performance of lubricant additives that may be used within an internal combustion engine to increase the performance of a lubricant. The formulation of the lubricant is changed in accordance with the chemicals placed in the oil filter. For example, when the oil filter contains a strong base, the lubricant concentration of detergent will decrease, in some cases to zero, while the dispersant concentration in the lubricant will increase. The dispersant is the ideal weak base to neutralize combustion acid at the piston ring zone, carry the resultant weak base-combustion acid complex to the strong base in the oil filter, undergo ion exchange with the strong base, immobilize the acid in the oil filter and recycle back to the piston ring zone for reuse as an acid neutralization agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Lutek, LLC
    Inventors: Scott P. Lockledge, Darrell W. Brownawell
  • Patent number: 5478463
    Abstract: A method, composition and filter for reducing the presence of sludge or varnish precursors in a lubricating oil circulating within an internal combustion engine. The lubricating oil containing sludge or varnish precursors is contacted with discrete particles of an oil insoluble, oil wettable compound having an antioxidant functional group and/or a dispersant functional group, which are capable of complexing with sludge or varnish precursors. Preferably the compounds comprises a crosslinked amine having ethylene amine functionality. The starting polyethylene amines have a number average molecular weight in the range of about 100 to about 60,000, preferably 200 to 250 and are crosslinked with a silicon oxide, silane, silicate, epoxide, quinone, or phenol-formaldehyde crosslinking agent. The particles are encaged within a one or two stage oil filter together with filtering media such as chemically active filter media, physically active filter media and inactive filter media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell W. Brownawell, Warren A. Thaler, Cruise K. Jones, Jacob Emert, Abhimanyu O. Patil
  • Patent number: 5225081
    Abstract: Used lubricating oils can be rejuvenated by passing the oil through a filter system comprising a hollow solid composite that contains a thermoplastic binder and an active filter media of a chemically active filter media, a physically active filter media, or mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the composite is formed by forcing a substantially uniform mixture of thermoplastic binder particles, active filter media particles, solvent 600 Neutral base oil, and sodium stearate through an extrusion die of substantially uniform cross-section, wherein the mixture is subjected to heat, pressure, and cooling to consolidate the mixture so that it emerges from the die as a hollow solid composite. Most preferably, the composite will surround an inactive filter media located within the filter system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
    Inventor: Darrell W. Brownawell
  • Patent number: 5209839
    Abstract: NaOH can be used to remove hydroperoxides from a lubricating oil provided the oil contains a metal thiophosphate. This extends the useful life of the oil and the equipment being lubricated. In a preferred embodiment, the NaOH is immobilized within the lubrication system of an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Harold Shaub, Darrell W. Brownawell, Arthur DiBenedetto
  • Patent number: 5164101
    Abstract: Piston deposits resulting from neutralizing combustion acids present in the lubricating oil circulating within the lubrication system of an internal combustion engine are reduced or eliminated by first cntacting the acids with a soluble weak base in the piston ring zone of the engine to form soluble neutral salts containing the weak base and the combustion acids. Thereafter, the neutral salts are contacted with a heterogenous strong base immobilized within the lubrication system but outside of the piston ring zone. The strong base displaces the weak base from the neutral salts, returning the weak base to the oil for recirculation to the piston ring zone for further use. The remaining strong base/combustion adic salts are immobilized as deposits with the strong base rather than on the piston. In a preferred embodiment, trioctadecyl amine is the weak base and magnesium oxide is the strong base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Darrell W. Brownawell, Warren A. Thaler, Eric Bannister, Paul K. Ladwig
  • Patent number: 5156758
    Abstract: A terpolymer having the formula: ##STR1## wherein n=0 to 12; x is about 15 to about 75 mole percent; y is about 25 to about 85 mole percent; z is about 0.1 to about 10 mole percent; R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 equal to H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, alkyl amino, alkylpolyamino, alkyl amino ether, alkyl amino alcohol groups and R.sub.2 is an alkyl group having about 1 to about 8 carbon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Warren A. Thaler, Joseph Wegensommer, Darrell W. Brownawell, Donald N. Schulz, John B. Gardiner
  • Patent number: 5112482
    Abstract: Hydroperoxides can be removed from a lubricating oil by contacting the oil passing through an oil filter with a heterogenous hydroperoxide decomposer. This extends the useful life of the oil and the equipment being lubricated. In a preferred embodiment, the hydroperoxide decomposer is incorporated on a substrate immobilized within the lubrication system of an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Harold Shaub, Darrell W. Brownawell, Arthur DiBenedetto
  • Patent number: 5069799
    Abstract: A filter system containing, in series, a first filter media having a chemically active filter media, a physically active filter media, or mixtures thereof and a second filter media having an inactive filter media can effectively rejuvenate used lubricating oils. In a preferred embodiment, the chemically or physically active filter media will be within a cannister that is separate from a container having both active and inactive filter media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Company
    Inventors: Darrell W. Brownawell, Paul K. Ladwig
  • Patent number: 5068044
    Abstract: Piston deposits resulting from neutralizing combustion acids present in the lubricating oil circulating within the lubrication system of an internal combustion engine are reduced or eliminated by first contacting the acids with a soluble weak base in the piston ring zone of the engine to form soluble neutral salts containing the weak base and the combustion acids. Thereafter, the neutral salts are contacted with a heterogeneous strong base immobilized within the lubrication system but outside of the piston ring zone. The strong base displaces the weak base from the neutral salts, returning the weak base to the oil for recirculation to the piston ring zone for further use. The remaining strong base/combustion acid salts are immobilized as deposits with the strong base rather than on the piston. In a preferred embodiment, trioctadecyl amine is the weak base and zinc oxide is the strong base. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the strong base is incorporated on a substrate, preferably a cement binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Company
    Inventors: Darrell W. Brownawell, Warren A. Thaler, Eric Bannister, Paul K. Ladwig
  • Patent number: 5042617
    Abstract: Sludge can be effectively removed from a lubricating oil by contacting the oil with a dispersant functional group immobilized on a substrate. This results in improved engine cleanliness and control of viscosity increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Company
    Inventors: Darrell W. Brownawell, Warren Thaler
  • Patent number: 4997546
    Abstract: Hydroperoxides can be removed from a lubricating oil by contacting the oil with a heterogenous hydroperoxide decomposer. This extends the useful life of the oil and the equipment being lubricated. In a preferred embodiment, the hydroperoxide decomposer is incorporated on a substrate immobilized within the lubrication system of an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Harold Shaub, Darrell W. Brownawell, Arthur DiBenedetto
  • Patent number: 4977871
    Abstract: A system for the substantial removal of polynuclear aromatic compounds from lubricating oil used to lubricate the engine of a motor vehicle comprising a sorbent located within the lubricating system and through which the lubricating oil circulates which is capable of removing substantially all of the polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons from the lubricating oil. The sorbent is preferably activated carbon which may be impregnated with additives typically found in lubricating oils especially antioxidants, to prolong the useful life of the oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents, Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell W. Brownawell, Donald J. Norris, Harold Shaub
  • Patent number: 4973764
    Abstract: There are disclosed novel compositions of matter comprising monoalkylphenols prepared by selectively alkylating the olefin component of a thermally cracked sulfur-containing petroleum distillate derived from residua. The monoalkylphenols have certain ortho to para ratios and may be used to prepare a number of useful derivatives such as ethoxylated and propoxylated surfactants, sulfoalkylated products, sulfurized antioxidants, overbased phenates, dithiophosphate derivatives, formaldehyde reaction products and similar methylene bridged products which are useful demulsifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Alexis A. Oswald, Ram N. Bhatia, Edmund J. Mozeleski, Darrell W. Brownawell, Thomas L. Ashcraft