Abstract: Systems and processes for collecting and transporting a fluid sample. In one embodiment, the system can include at least one apparatus that can include a rotatable shaft, one or more other moving parts, and at least one fluid path containing a lubricating fluid. The system can also include at least one sample container and at least one unmanned aerial vehicle configured to transport the at least one sample container. The system can also include at least one valve that can be configured to open and discharge a sample of the lubricating fluid from the at least one fluid path into the at least one sample container. At least one unmanned aerial vehicle station can be configured to receive the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle. At least one retention and loading mechanism can be configured to move the at least one sample container.

Abstract: Aspects of the technology described herein improve a computing device's ability to accurately extract contextual features related to vehicle performance, vehicle usage, maintenance, recalls, and use the information to provide maintenance recommendations. Aspects of the technology described herein can analyze vehicle data from multiple sources including vehicle sensors, driver computing devices, maintenance records, used oil analysis, aftermarket sensors, and other data sources to ascertain a vehicle's operational state and detect warning signs that are statistically correlated with a mechanical failure or unsafe driving condition. When a warning sign is detected, the technology described herein can make maintenance suggestions to decrease the vehicle's failure probability. The maintenance suggestions can be generated by analyzing data from historical vehicle data to identify actions that improved the operational state for the same vehicle and/or similar vehicles.

Abstract: A working fluid monitoring system for monitoring a working fluid of working fluid system of a piece of equipment is provided. The working fluid monitoring system can include a filter member having an inlet, an outlet, and a filter media disposed between the inlet and the outlet. The filter member can be configured to permit fluid communication of the working fluid of the working fluid system from the inlet, through the filter media, and out the outlet of the filter member. A sensor is in operable communication with the working fluid within the filter member and is configured to monitor in situ a parameter of the working fluid and/or the working fluid system.

Abstract: A system for in-situ identification of a working fluid disposed in at least one piece of equipment, the system including: a working fluid reservoir that contains the working fluid; an in-situ sensor disposed in the working fluid reservoir such that it detects properties of the working fluid or computes properties from the generated spectra of the working fluid; a transmitter that transmits the detected spectra of the working fluid and equipment identification information; and a cloud computing system that receives the detected spectra and the equipment identification information transmitted from the transmitter, wherein the cloud computing system compares the spectra and equipment identification information against a reference database to determine whether or not the spectra of the working fluid substantially matches the stored reference spectra associated with the expected or specified fluid for the equipment.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for in-situ determination of engine oil viscosity to allow for selection of an engine map by an engine control module (ECM) to match the detected viscosity. The new engine map selected based on the viscosity can correspond to an engine map based on an engine oil with a different HTHS viscosity than the prior engine map. Instead of requiring a reprogramming of an ECM when the engine oil is changed, an ECM can have access to a plurality of engine maps corresponding to different engine oils at a given HTHS viscosity and/or at different HTHS viscosities. The ability of an ECM to select an engine map corresponding to a different HTHS viscosity based on in-situ viscosity detection can allow the oil in an engine to be changed without requiring access to the ECM for reprogramming.

Abstract: According to the present disclosure, there is provided a high-temperature lubricant composition. The composition has an amount of an ester. The ester exhibits a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 1 to 4 centistokes and a kinematic viscosity ratio at 150° C./100° C. of 0.6 or higher. The composition is at a temperature of 100° C. to 150° C. There is also another lubricating composition having the ester and a polymeric viscosity modifier. There are also methods for using the lubricating compositions in the crankcase of an engine.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for authenticating working fluids. The systems and methods include exposing at least a portion of a working fluid containing a UV-reactive chemical marker to light having wavelengths in the range of about 10-400 nm, thereby causing the chemical marker to generate a signal. The signal can be detected via a sensor system and compared to a reference signal that is associated with an authentic working fluid. An output may be generated to indicate whether the working fluid is the authentic working fluid.

Abstract: A working fluid monitoring system for monitoring a working fluid of working fluid system of a piece of equipment is provided. The working fluid monitoring system can include a filter member having an inlet, an outlet, and a filter media disposed between the inlet and the outlet. The filter member can be configured to permit fluid communication of the working fluid of the working fluid system from the inlet, through the filter media, and out the outlet of the filter member. A sensor is in operable communication with the working fluid within the filter member and is configured to monitor in situ a parameter of the working fluid and/or the working fluid system.

Abstract: A method for improving corrosion protection and friction coefficient in an engine or other mechanical component lubricated with a lubricating oil by using as the lubricating oil a formulated oil. The formulated oil has a composition comprising a lubricating oil base stock as a major component, and a mixture of (i) at least one organic molybdenum compound, and (ii) at least one borated ester, as a minor component. Corrosion protection and friction coefficient are improved as compared to corrosion protection and friction coefficient achieved using a lubricating oil containing a minor component other than the mixture of (i) at least one organic molybdenum compound, and (ii) at least one borated ester.

Abstract: A method for preventing or reducing engine knock or pre-ignition in an engine lubricated with a lubricating oil by using as the lubricating oil a formulated oil. The formulated oil has a composition comprising at least one ester of a non-aromatic dicarboxylic acid. The at least one ester of a non-aromatic dicarboxylic acid preferably comprises at least one adipate ester (e.g., dialkyl adipate ester). A lubricating engine oil having a composition comprising at least one ester of a non-aromatic dicarboxylic acid (e.g., adipate ester). A fuel additive composition for use in a gasoline fuel composition or a diesel fuel composition. The gasoline fuel composition or the diesel fuel composition is used in a spark ignition internal combustion engine. The fuel additive composition comprises at least one ester of a non-aromatic dicarboxylic acid (e.g., adipate ester). The lubricating oils of this disclosure are particularly advantageous as passenger vehicle engine oil products.

Abstract: A method for improving corrosion protection and friction coefficient in an engine or other mechanical component lubricated with a lubricating oil by using as the lubricating oil a formulated oil. The formulated oil has a composition comprising a lubricating oil base stock as a major component, and a mixture of (i) at least one organic molybdenum compound, and (ii) at least one borated ester, as a minor component. Corrosion protection and friction coefficient are improved as compared to corrosion protection and friction coefficient achieved using a lubricating oil containing a minor component other than the mixture of (i) at least one organic molybdenum compound, and (ii) at least one borated ester.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for authenticating working fluids. The systems and methods include exposing at least a portion of a working fluid containing a UV-reactive chemical marker to light having wavelengths in the range of about 10-400 nm, thereby causing the chemical marker to generate a signal. The signal can be detected via a sensor system and compared to a reference signal that is associated with an authentic working fluid. An output may be generated to indicate whether the working fluid is the authentic working fluid.

Abstract: A system for in-situ identification of a working fluid disposed in at least one piece of equipment, the system including: a working fluid reservoir that contains the working fluid; an in-situ sensor disposed in the working fluid reservoir such that it detects properties of the working fluid or computes properties from the generated spectra of the working fluid; a transmitter that transmits the detected spectra of the working fluid and equipment identification information; and a cloud computing system that receives the detected spectra and the equipment identification information transmitted from the transmitter, wherein the cloud computing system compares the spectra and equipment identification information against a reference database to determine whether or not the spectra of the working fluid substantially matches the stored reference spectra associated with the expected or specified fluid for the equipment.

Abstract: According to the present disclosure, there is provided a high-temperature lubricant composition. The composition has an amount of an ester. The ester exhibits a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 1 to 4 centistokes and a kinematic viscosity ratio at 150° C./100° C. of 0.6 or higher. The composition is at a temperature of 100° C. to 150° C. There is also another lubricating composition having the ester and a polymeric viscosity modifier. There are also methods for using the lubricating compositions in the crankcase of an engine.

Abstract: A method for preventing or reducing engine knock or pre-ignition in an engine lubricated with a lubricating oil by using as the lubricating oil a formulated oil. The formulated oil has a composition comprising at least one ester of a non-aromatic dicarboxylic acid. The at least one ester of a non-aromatic dicarboxylic acid preferably comprises at least one adipate ester (e.g., dialkyl adipate ester). A lubricating engine oil having a composition comprising at least one ester of a non-aromatic dicarboxylic acid (e.g., adipate ester). A fuel additive composition for use in a gasoline fuel composition or a diesel fuel composition. The gasoline fuel composition or the diesel fuel composition is used in a spark ignition internal combustion engine. The fuel additive composition comprises at least one ester of a non-aromatic dicarboxylic acid (e.g., adipate ester). The lubricating oils of this disclosure are particularly advantageous as passenger vehicle engine oil products.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a lubricant composition that is comprised of a continuous phase and a discontinuous phase, i.e., a two phase lubricant composition. The continuous phase and the discontinuous phase of the lubricant of this invention are oil or oil type compositions that are essentially insoluble in one another. The lubricant composition is comprised of a continuous phase base oil that is comprised of a low viscosity Group II, III, IV or GTL base stock or a blend of at least two of the Group II, III, IV and GTL base stocks, optionally including a low viscosity Group V base stock, with the continuous phase base oil having, independently, a viscosity of from 1 to 100 cSt at 100° C. The lubricant composition is further comprised of a discontinuous phase that is comprised of an ester composition having a mean average droplet size of from 0.01 microns to 20 microns, in which the ester composition is comprised of an ester compound having no ether linkages.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a lubricant composition that is comprised of a continuous phase and a discontinuous phase, i.e., a two phase lubricant composition. The continuous phase and the discontinuous phase of the lubricant of this invention are oil or oil type compositions that are essentially insoluble in one another. The lubricant composition is comprised of a continuous phase base oil that is comprised of a low viscosity Group II, III, IV or GTL base stock or a blend of at least two of the Group II, III, IV and GTL base stocks, optionally including a low viscosity Group V base stock, with the continuous phase base oil having, independently, a viscosity of from 1 to 100 cSt at 100° C. The lubricant composition is further comprised of a discontinuous phase that is comprised of an ester composition having a mean average droplet size of from 0.01 microns to 20 microns, in which the ester composition is comprised of an ester compound having no ether linkages.