Lubrication by sublimation
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
InventorsLewis Rosado, Nelson H. Forster, Christopher J. Klenke
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
System and method for high temperature lubrication of a bearing surface of a movable machine part using lubricant sublimation is described which comprises a source of solid lubricant, a heater disposed in thermal contact with the lubricant for heating the lubricant to sublimation and a conduit for conducting sublimated lubricant vapors into contact with the bearing surface to be lubricated.
Claims11
A method for lubricating a bearing surface of a movable machine part, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a source of solid lubricant;
- (b) sublimating said solid lubricant to form a lubricant vapor;
- and
- (c) conducting said lubricant vapor to said bearing surface for condensation of said solid lubricant thereon.
A system for lubricating a bearing surface of a movable machine part, comprising:
- (a) a source of solid lubricant;
- (b) means in operative thermal contact with said source to sublimate said solid lubricant to form a lubricant vapor from said solid lubricant;
- and
- (c) conduit means for conducting said lubricant vapor into contact with said bearing surface for condensation thereon of said solid lubricant.
A system for lubricating a bearing surface of a movable machine part, comprising:
- (a) a source of solid lubricant;
- (b) means in operative thermal contact with said source for heating said source to sublimate said solid lubricant to form a lubricant vapor from said solid lubricant;
- (c) a source of vaporous carrier medium;
- and
- (d) conduit means for combining said lubricant vapor and said carrier medium and conducting said lubricant vapor and carrier medium into contact with said bearing surface for condensation thereon of aid solid lubricant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.