# US 7,740,483 B2 · Portable demonstration apparatus and method for the comparison of lubricants and/or lubricant additives > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,740,483 B2 - Document ID: US7740483B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/259,590 - Filed: 2005-10-26 - Published: 2006-05-04 - Granted: 2010-06-22 - Earliest claimed: 2004-10-29 - Assignees: The Lubrizol Corporation - Inventors: William P. Taylor; Kathleen O. Havelka - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7740483B2 ## CPC - G01N 11/14: by using rotary bodies, e.g. vane (G01N11/16 takes precedence) - 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 A portable apparatus and method for demonstrating different characteristics of different fluids that includes different fluid sumps or chambers for receiving samples of the different fluids. A test shaft having different portions that are immersed in the different fluid samples in the chambers is driven by an electric drive motor at a substantially constant speed while substantially the same amount of friction or force is applied to the different portions of the test shaft at different times to increase the resistance presented to the drive motor. The additional amount of current drawn or power absorbed by the motor or strain induced in the motor drive shaft during the application of such friction or force to the different portions of the test shaft is monitored and compared to provide a comparison of the friction or power loss characteristics of the different fluid samples. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of demonstrating friction or power loss characteristics of different fluids utilizing a portable demonstration apparatus having different fluid chambers for receiving samples of the different fluids, comprising the steps of placing samples of the different fluids in the different chambers, establishing friction or power loss characteristics of the different fluid samples within the different chambers, comparing the friction or power loss characteristics of the different fluid samples, and displaying comparison data of said friction or power loss characteristics of the different fluid samples; wherein the friction or power loss characteristics of each fluid sample is established by using piston actuated friction shoes applying substantially the same friction or force at different times to different portions of a rotating test shaft while immersed in the different fluid samples and driven by a drive shaft of an electric drive motor at a substantially constant speed, and comparing, for the different fluid samples, an additional amount of current drawn or power absorbed by the drive motor or strain induced in the drive shaft during application of the friction or force to the different portions of said test shaft. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein separate friction shoes are used to apply substantially the same friction or force to the different portions of the test shaft at different times while immersed in the different fluid samples. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the comparison data is visually displayed. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the comparison data is obtained at a point of presentation or sale. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4 wherein the comparison data is viewed interpersonally, in a small group, organizationally, publicly, and/or through mass media. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the comparison data is obtained through a communications network. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6 wherein the communications network is the Internet. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the fluids are lubricants or lubricant additives. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the fluids are engine lubricant treatments for vehicle motor oils. ### Claim 10 A portable apparatus for demonstrating friction or power loss characteristics of different fluids, comprising different fluid chambers for receiving samples of the different fluids, a test shaft having different portions received in the different fluid chambers for immersion in the different fluid samples, an electric drive motor for rotating the test shaft at a substantially constant speed, piston actuated friction shoes for applying substantially the same amount of friction or force at different times to the different portions of the test shaft while the test shaft is immersed in the different fluid samples and the test shaft is being rotated at a substantially constant speed for establishing a friction or power loss characteristic for each of the fluid samples within the respective chambers, and a control system for comparing and displaying comparative data of the friction or power loss characteristics of the different fluid samples; wherein the drive motor includes a drive shaft that drives the test shaft, and the control system includes means for comparing, for the different fluid samples, an additional amount of current drawn or power absorbed by the drive motor or strain induced in the drive shaft when substantially the same friction or force is applied at different times to the different portions of said test shaft. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising means for obtaining the comparison data at a point of presentation or sale. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the comparison data is viewed interpersonally, in a small group, organizationally, publicly, and/or through mass media. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the comparison data is obtained through a communications network. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the communications network is the Internet. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a housing containing the fluid chambers, the drive motor and the test shaft. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 which is packaged in a portable hand carrying type case.