The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 02, 1996
Filed:
Sep. 05, 1995
Janine M Thornton, Littleton, CO (US);
Michael G Thornton, Littleton, CO (US);
Synectic Technology, Inc., Littleton, CO (US);
Abstract
An apparatus extracts standardized samples of wear particles from a series of used oil filters by rotating each oil filter while spraying a solvent fluid into the opening at the base of the oil filter. The apparatus includes a housing to hold the filter having a movable cover and a base that contacts the filter base and allows rotation of said filter. A crawler assembly within the housing cover initially translates along the axis of rotation toward the housing base until the filter is held between the crawler and the housing base. A motor associated with the crawler assembly (or the housing base) then rotates the filter. A shaft extending through the housing base into the filter opening carries a nozzle that directs a spray of fluid into the filter during rotation to rinse wear particles from the filter for subsequent analysis. A predetermined quantity of fluid is sprayed into each filter to produce a standardized sample. The interior of the housing also sprayed with fluid between consecutive filters to prevent cross-contamination.