Pulsed plasma lubrication device and method
AssigneeUnited States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASA
InventorsRichard R. Hofer, Donald B. Bickler, Saverio A. D'Agostino
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Abstract
Disclosed herein is a lubrication device comprising a solid lubricant disposed between and in contact with a first electrode and a second electrode dimensioned and arranged such that application of an electric potential between the first electrode and the second electrode sufficient to produce an electric arc between the first electrode and the second electrode to produce a plasma in an ambient atmosphere at an ambient pressure which vaporizes at least a portion of the solid lubricant to produce a vapor stream comprising the solid lubricant. Methods to lubricate a surface utilizing the lubrication device in-situ are also disclosed.
Claims19
A lubrication device comprising:
- a solid lubricant disposed between and in contact with a first electrode and a second electrode dimensioned and arranged such that application of an electric potential between the first electrode and the second electrode sufficient to produce an electric arc between the first electrode and the second electrode in an ambient atmosphere at an ambient pressure produces a plasma that vaporizes at least a portion of the solid lubricant to produce a vapor stream comprising the solid lubricant.
A method comprising:
- disposing a plasma lubricator proximate to a surface in an ambient atmosphere at an ambient pressure, the plasma lubricator comprising a solid lubricant disposed between and in contact with a first electrode and a second electrode;
- applying an electric potential between the first electrode and the second electrode and optionally activating an igniter to produce an electric arc between the first electrode and the second electrode to produce a plasma for an amount of time sufficient to produce a vapor stream comprising the solid lubricant;
- and
- directing the vapor stream onto the surface such that at least a portion of the solid lubricant is deposited onto the surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.