Lubrication capsule, machine element & method

Abstract

A capsule containing at least one component of a lubricant for a machine element, whereby the capsule comprises an external wall including a first substance that is arranged to perish during the use of the machine element when the capsule is placed in and/or around the machine element and/or into lubricant being used to lubricate the machine element.

1 . A capsule containing at least one component of a lubricant for a machine element, whereby the capsule comprises an external wall comprising a first substance that is arranged to perish during the use of the machine element when the capsule is placed in at least one of:
 in the machine element, and/or   around the machine element, and   into lubricant being used to lubricate the machine element.   
     
     
         2 . The capsule according to  claim 1 , comprising at least one inner encapsulating wall comprising a second substance that is arranged to perish during the use of the machine element when subjected to a first condition. 
     
     
         3 . The capsule according to  claim 1 , whereby at least one of the first substance and the second substance is oil-soluble. 
     
     
         4 . The capsule according to  claim 1 , whereby at least one of the first substance the second substance is arranged to dissolve on contact with a liquid at, at least one of: a pre-determined temperature and a predetermined pressure. 
     
     
         5 . The capsule according to  claim 1 , whereby at least one of the first substance and the second substance is arranged to be mechanically destroyed by the machine element. 
     
     
         6 . The capsule according to  claim 2  whereby the capsule comprises a plurality of inner encapsulating walls and a first number of the plurality of inner encapsulating walls comprises the second substance that is arranged to perish when subjected to a first condition, and a second number of the plurality of inner encapsulating walls comprises a third substance that is arranged to perish when subjected to a second condition. 
     
     
         7 . The capsule according to  claim 1 , whereby the capsule comprises a fluid lubricant, including at least one of: mineral oil, synthetic oil, vegetable oil, a polyalphaolefin, an ester, and a polyether. 
     
     
         8 . The capsule according to  claim 1 , whereby the capsule comprises at least one of the following: a polymeric thickener, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyalkylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polyolefin phenol, lanolin, lanoline polyethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene lanolin, silicon oil, ionic soap, urea soap, and metal organic soap. 
     
     
         9 . The capsule according to  claim 1 , whereby the capsule comprises at least one of the following: a tackifier, an elastomer, an anti-wear additive, an anti-corrosion additive, an EP additive, and an anti-oxidant. 
     
     
         10 . A machine element containing at least one capsule, wherein the at least one capsule contains:
 at least one component of a lubricant for a machine element, whereby the capsule comprises an external wall comprising a first substance that is arranged to perish during the use of the machine element when the capsule is placed in at least one of:   in the machine element,   around the machine element, and   into lubricant being used to lubricate the machine element.   
     
     
         11 . The machine element according to  claim 10 , whereby it is at least part of a one of the following: a shaft, coupling, key, spline, gear, fastener, spring, seal, belt, clutch, brake, chain, a bearing element, a ball bearing, a roller bearing, a needle bearing, a tapered roller bearing, a spherical roller bearing, a toroidal roller bearing, a ball thrust bearing, a roller thrust bearing, a tapered roller thrust bearing, a wheel bearing, a hub bearing unit, a slewing bearing, a ball screw, and a component for an application in which it is subjected to alternating Hertzian stresses, including a rolling contact, a combined rolling and sliding, and an application that requires at least one of a high wear resistance, an increased fatigue, and a tensile strength. 
     
     
         12 . A method for lubricating a machine element, comprising a step of placing at least one capsule having an external wall which includes a first substance that is arranged to perish during the use of the machine element when the capsule is placed into at least one of:
 in the machine element,   around the machine element, and   into a lubricant being used to lubricate the machine element.   
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 12 , whereby the at least one capsule comprises at least one inner encapsulating wall including a second substance that is arranged to perish during the use of the machine element when subjected to a first condition. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 12 , whereby at least one of the first substance and the second substance is oil-soluble. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 12 , whereby at least one of the first substance and the said second substance is arranged to dissolve on contact with a liquid at, at least one of a pre-determined temperature and predetermined pressure. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 12 , whereby at least one of the first substance and the second substance is arranged to be mechanically destroyed by the machine element. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 12  whereby the capsule comprises a plurality of inner encapsulating walls and a first number of the plurality of inner encapsulating walls includes the second substance that is arranged to perish when subjected to a first condition, and a second number of the plurality of inner encapsulating walls comprises a third substance that is arranged to perish when subjected to a second condition. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 12 , whereby the capsule comprises a fluid lubricant, wherein the fluid lubricant includes at least one of: mineral oil, synthetic oil, vegetable oil, polyalphaolefin, an ester, and a polyether. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 12 , whereby the capsule comprises at least one of the following: a polymeric thickener, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyalkylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polyolefin phenol, lanolin, lanoline polyethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene lanolin, silicon oil, ionic soap, urea soap, and metal organic soap. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 12 , whereby the capsule comprises at least one of the following additives: a tackifier, an elastomer, an anti-wear additive, an anti-corrosion additive, an EP additive, and an anti-oxidant. 
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 12 , whereby the machine element is at least part of a one of the following: a shaft, coupling, key, spline, gear, fastener, spring, seal, belt, clutch, brake, chain, a bearing element, a ball bearing, a roller bearing, a needle bearing, a tapered roller bearing, a spherical roller bearing, a toroidal roller bearing, a ball thrust bearing, a roller thrust bearing, a tapered roller thrust bearing, a wheel bearing, a hub bearing unit, a slewing bearing, a ball screw, and a component for an application in which it is subjected to alternating Hertzian stresses, including a rolling contact, a combined rolling and sliding, and an application that requires at least one of a high wear resistance, an increased fatigue, and a tensile strength.