# US 2021/0239588 A1 · Lubricant test methodand apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0239588 A1 - Document ID: US20210239588A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/300,003 - Filed: 2021-02-01 - Published: 2021-08-05 - Earliest claimed: 2020-01-31 - Assignees: Theodore W. Selby - Inventors: Theodore W. Selby - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210239588A1 ## CPC - G01N 11/142: {Sample held between two members substantially perpendicular to axis of rotation, e.g. parallel plate viscometer} - G01N 33/2888: {Lubricating oil characteristics, e.g. deterioration (lubricating properties G01N33/30)} - G01N 2011/0093: {thermal properties} - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract Lubricity of a sample of lubricant may be determined by precisely measuring temperature from friction generated between two or more moving parts in contact under force. For example, to carry this out, a rotatable pin and vee block test apparatus set forth in ASTM D2760-95 (Reapproved 2010) can be provided, and modified to provide its rotating pin with a hole longitudinally along an axis of the pin about which the pin rotates during testing. The hole is configured to receive, and for the testing receives, a thermocouple to measure temperature during the testing. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for obtaining precise temperature data for measuring lubricity of a sample of a lubricant, which comprises carrying out the following steps (A-G), which are not required to be carried out in series unless otherwise indicated: A. providing a test apparatus having at least parts that move abrasively in relation to each other, each part having a surface able to be moved in abrasive contact under force with at least one other; B. providing a baseline set of lubrication conditions between the surfaces in said contact with one another through addition of a baseline lubricant sample or avoiding employment of an added lubricant between said surfaces in said contact with at least one other; C. abrasively moving at least one of said parts and applying force during that abrasive movement such that the abrasively moving forceful contact is carried out between said surfaces under said baseline set of lubrication conditions; D. measuring temperature indicative of heat generated during said abrasive movement in abrasive contact under said baseline set of lubrication conditions; E. repeating steps A-C, but replacing at least the surfaces of said abrasively movable parts with corresponding, fresh surfaces able to be moved in abrasive contact under force with at least one other, and replacing the baseline set of lubrication conditions with a target set of lubrication conditions through employment of a target lubricant between said surfaces; F. measuring temperature generated that is indicative of heat generated during said abrasive movement in abrasive contact under said target set of lubrication conditions; and G. comparing the temperatures generated under the baseline and target set of lubrication conditions to generate a lubricity index of the target lubricant sample. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein a thermocouple is provided in at least one of said parts to measure each abrasively generated temperature measured. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the abrasive movement at least one temperature is measured remotely. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the test apparatus is a rotatable pin and vee block test apparatus for ASTM D2760-95 (Reapproved 2010) testing, modified such that its rotatable pin has a central axis with a hole longitudinally along the central axis of the rotable pin about which the rotable pin rotates during testing, with said hole configured to receive and receiving a thermocouple to measure the temperature from heat generated during the testing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein said baseline lubricant and target lubricant samples are present, and are present as liquids, and the test apparatus does not contain a grease sleeve. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the liquids are oils. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein said baseline lubricant and target lubricant samples are present, and are present as paste products, and the test apparatus does contain a grease sleeve to contain said baseline lubricant and target lubricant samples. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the paste products are grease or other organic paste product samples. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said added lubricant is avoided in step B. ### Claim 10 An apparatus for measuring lubricity of a liquid lubricant comprising a rotatable pin and vee block test apparatus as otherwise set forth in ASTM D2760-95 (Reapproved 2010) but without a grease sleeve, and which is modified to have a hole longitudinally along a central axis of rotation of the rotatable pin, the hole being configured to receive a thermocouple adapted to measure temperature during testing. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the thermocouple is received in the hole.