Multi-phase lubricant and apparatus for the dispensing thereof

An apparatus for lubricating an operating component of a system in which the operating component is exposed to range of operating conditions which benefits from adjustment of at least one physical property of a lubricant which lubricates the component during its operation, comprising:

• (a) an at least partial immiscibility zone which contains a first lubricant and a second lubricant, the second lubricant having at least one property which is different from a property of the first lubricant;
• (b) a dispenser which is operatively connected to the at least partial immiscibility zone, the dispenser for supplying an amount of the first lubricant and/or the second lubricant from the at least partial immiscibility zone to a mixing zone, the dispenser comprising at least one flow controller which controls the relative proportion of the first lubricant and the second lubricant dispensed to the mixing zone, the mixing zone being suitable for mixing the first lubricant and the second lubricant to produce a third lubricant, the mixing zone being positioned to supply the third lubricant to the operating component;
• (c) a condition sensor which is in communication with the operating component, the sensor comprising a device for detecting a change in the operating condition of the component during its operation;
• and
• (d) an actuator which is in communication with the flow controller and which is responsive to the condition sensor, the actuator activates the flow controller to change the relative proportion of the first lubricant and the second lubricant dispensed to the mixing zone in response to a change in the operating condition which requires adjustment of at least one physical property of the third lubricant.