Lutek, LLC

Tiptek, LLC

Scott P Lockledge

Darrell W Brownawell

Joseph W Lyding

Gregory S Girolami

Jinju Lee

Methods are described for the economical manufacture of Scanning Probe and Electron Microscope (SPEM) probe tips. In this method, multiple wires are mounted on a stage and ion milled simultaneously while the stage and mounted probes are tilted at a selected angle relative to the ion source and rotated. The resulting probes are also described. The method provides sets of highly uniform probe tips having controllable properties for stable and accurate scanning probe and electron microscope (EM) measurements.

Scanning probe and electron microscope probes and their manufacture

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.

Oil filters containing strong base and methods of their use

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.

Materials and processes for reducing combustion by-products in a lubrication system for an internal combustion engine

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 m/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.

Materials, filters, and systems for immobilizing combustion by-products and controlling lubricant viscosity

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. The reduction or elimination of detergent from the lubricant will reduce the fouling of the emission filter and of deposit formation on engine parts such as the piston. The oil filter may also contain an additive which is slowly released into the lubricant. For example, a ZnDDP anti-wear additive may be slowly released from the oil filter to the lubricant. Because the ZnDDP has low molecular weight alkyl groups it has limited solubility in the lubricant. The rate of release is limited by the equilibrium concentration of the additive in the lubricant. As a result, a relatively constant concentration of the additive may be maintained in the lubricant. The resultant closed system allows the oil drain intervals to be significantly extended.

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West Chester, PA, United States of America

Scott P Lockledge