Southwest Research Institute

Jose L De La Cruz

Paul Lacey

Jack Russell Compton

Eliazar H Saucedo

Paul I Lacey

James Ohi

Ronald M Estefan, Deceased

A method of testing corrosive lubricating media using a wear testing apparatus without a mechanical seal. The wear testing apparatus and methods are effective for testing volatile corrosive lubricating media under pressure and at high temperatures.

Method for testing properties of corrosive lubricants

Tortuous passageways are provided in a substrate component that is retained within a holding chamber. Fuels and fuel mixtures to be comparatively tested are introduced into the holding chamber and into the tortuous passageways of the substrate component. The substrate component is controllably maintained at an elevated temperature during a specified number of defined test cycles. The substrate component is then removed and its after-test weight compared with an initial weight before the test. The tortuous passageways of the substrate component provide increased surface area subject to deposit formation and extended residence time for fuel to remain in contact with the substrate surface, thereby greatly enhancing the measured difference between tested fuels and fuel mixtures.

High temperature diesel fuel test apparatus and method

An apparatus is described which permits the lubricity of fuel compositions at or near temperatures and pressures experienced by compression ignition fuel injector components during operation in a running engine. The apparatus consists of means to apply a measured force between two surfaces and oscillate them at high frequency while wetted with a sample of the fuel composition heated to an operator selected temperature. Provision is made to permit operation at or near the flash point of the fuel compositions. Additionally a method of using the subject apparatus to simulate ASTM Testing Method D6079 is disclosed, said method involving using the disclosed apparatus to contact the faces of prepared workpieces under a measured load, sealing the workface contact point into the disclosed apparatus while immersing said contact point between said workfaces in a lubricating media to be tested, pressurizing and heating the chamber and thereby the fluid and workfaces therewithin, using the disclosed apparatus to impart a differential linear motion between the workpieces at their contact point until a measurable scar is imparted to at least one workpiece workface, and then evaluating the workface scar.

High temperature pressurized high frequency testing rig and test method

A method and apparatus for determining the propensity of fuel materials to leave deposits in compression ignition engines is disclosed. The apparatus consists of a closed chamber fitted with conduits to supply fuel composition, air, and other test fluids to its interior, and arranged to contain or substantially contain a substrate. Substrate is placed in the chamber to provide interaction between a fluid passing through and the substrate. Substrate may be a monolithic machined element or a collection of discrete bodies. The chamber conduits are connected to at least two metering devices, one controlling fuel and one air flow, whereby the substrate is exposed to measured quantities of fuel compositions and air. Heating devices are in thermal communication with the substrate and the source of air provided to the chamber, thus providing a method of controlling the temperature of the substrate and air flowing through the chamber. The propensity of a fuel composition to form deposits in an engine is determined by alternatively dispersing fuel composition and hot air upon the heated substrate then determining the mass of the deposits left on the substrate.

High temperature diesel deposit tester

A test apparatus includes a test chamber adapted to support a test piece having the shape characteristic of an engine intake valve. Means are provided for heating the test piece, delivering a selected test fuel to the test chamber at a controlled rate and at selected intervals, and for delivering a flow of heated air through the test chamber at a preselected temperature and volumetric rate. A method for determining the relative ability of a fuel to form deposits on an engine intake valve includes placing a test piece having the shape characteristics of an engine intake valve in a test chamber, heating and maintaining the test piece at a predetermined temperature, passing a stream of heated air through the test chamber at a controlled temperature and flow rate, and alternately repeatably spraying a sample fuel onto the test piece and drying the test piece, for a period of time sufficient to establish the deposit-forming characteristics of the sample fuel.

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San Antonio, TX, United States of America

Jose L De La Cruz