Machine lubricant additive distribution systems and methods
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsMichael B. Viola, Eric W. Schneider
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A lubricant additive dispensing system includes a cartridge defining an inner cavity to house at least one additive material section and a release opening in communication with a lubrication circulation system of a machine. The lubricant additive dispensing system also includes a spring element arranged to bias the at least one additive material section towards the release opening and a release lever arranged to selectively retain the at least one additive material sections within the cartridge. The lubricant additive dispensing system further includes an actuator coupled to the release lever wherein actuation of the release lever ejects a next one of the at least one additive material sections into the lubrication circulation system.
Claims10
A lubricant additive dispensing system comprising:
- a cartridge defining an inner cavity to house at least one additive material section including a solid pellet, and a release opening in communication with a lubrication circulation system of a machine;
- a spring element arranged to bias the at least one additive material section towards the release opening;
- a release lever arranged to selectively retain the at least one additive material sections within the cartridge;
- an actuator coupled to the release lever wherein actuation of the release lever ejects a next one of the at least one additive material sections into the lubrication circulation system;
- and
- an oil life monitor, wherein the oil life monitor is programmed to detect a lubricant attribute and provide a command signal to the actuator based thereon.
An engine for a vehicle comprising:
- at least one combustion cylinder within a cylinder block;
- a reciprocating piston arranged to cycle within each of the combustion cylinders to generate an engine torque;
- a lubrication system arranged to circulate a lubricant about components of the cylinder block;
- a cartridge in fluid flow communication with the lubrication system and configured to house a plurality of additive material sections, wherein the additive material sections comprise a plurality of solid pellets that dissolve in the lubrication circulation system over time;
- and
- a controller programmed to cause the cartridge to eject a next one of the plurality of additive material sections into the lubrication system in response to a lubricant attribute exceeding a predetermined threshold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.