Filter Cap Additive Delivery System

Abstract

A additive delivery system and method which includes a additive gel, a filter and a fluid / gel chemistry exchange region, wherein the exchange region subjects the additive gel to different types or combinations of contact with the fluid in order to control the additive release rate, maintain a uniform release rate, maintain the physical integrity of the gel or combinations thereof.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to additive delivery systems for allowing a fluid, such as oil, to come into contact with an additive gel to cause one or more additive components in the gel to be slowly released into the fluid.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Specially formulated slow-release additives that provide for the slow release of additives into a fluid such as oil to meet certain performance requirements of the fluid are generally known. In some, the additives are incorporated into thermoplastic polymers which slowly dissolve into the fluid. In others, the additives are incorporated into polymers which are oil-permeable at elevated temperatures. In still others, the additives are incorporated into particles which are fluid-insoluble but fluid-wettable. In still others, fluid soluble solid polymers are provided, with or without additional additives being incorporated into the polymers.[0003]Although these slow-release additives are capable of introd...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is about a delivery system for adding additives to fluids by using an additive gel that releases its components slowly into the fluid. The system includes a filter with a housing and a fluid / gel chemistry exchange region outside of the housing where the fluid comes into contact with the gel. The exchange region can control the release rate of additives to maintain the physical integrity of the gel. The system can also be used in devices such as engines and lubrication systems. The filter cap with the gel can be mounted onto a fluid filter to allow fluid to pass through the filter and come into contact with the gel. The technical effects of the invention include achieving a desired and uniform release rate of additives while maintaining the physical integrity of the gel.

Problems solved by technology

Improper and / or non-uniform release rates may result in less than optimal performance of the fluid being conditioned and lack of physical gel integrity can result in particles of gel breaking off of the larger gel mass present in the controlled release system.

These gel fragments are carried by the fluid and may plug filters and engine orifices, which may negatively impact the overall performance of the fluid-utilizing system or device.

These fluid flow characteristics, which include fluid pressure, temperature and flow rate, can interfere with an additive delivery system, resulting in undesired or non-optimal additive release rates and a loss in gel integrity, leading to problems discussed above.

Diesel passenger cars in particular tend to have oil system flow characteristics that interfere with existing additive delivery systems.

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