Lubrication and adhesion testing machine

Abstract

A new machine for laboratory testing of lubricants and tractive/braking characteristics commonly known as adhesion has been designed. It can provide measures of lubricant performance characteristics of lubricity and durability (retentivity). Furthermore, it provides a continuous description of lubricant consumption characteristics after application of fresh lubricant. The machine uses two suitably profiled and loaded wheels robing against each other with one wheel powered and the other wheel either freely rolling or braked. The axes of the two wheels can be kept aligned or misaligned by a specified angle for testing of lubricants or adhesion. For making the machine more accurate and usable a quick engagement self-aligning compound shaft and wheels have been designed. A three point alignment base with two linear slides, spline connection and drive shaft are used for setting the null condition. The machine uses a feedback speed control electric motor for maintaining a constant speed of the wheel which is critical for the testing. Power measured is analyzed through a computer or microprocessor which plots the lubrication characteristics in graphical form. For accurate measurement of adhesion a special load cell arrangement for cancellation of reaction moment has been designed in the machine. Adhesion and creep (nondimensional wheel slip) are also measured and plotted through the computer.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.