Electrically insulated block-on-rotating-ring test unit and method
Inventors
SANCHEZ, Carlos J. • LEE, Peter Mark
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12422426-B2
Publication Date
2025-09-23
Expiration Date
Abstract
An electrically insulated block-on-rotating-ring test unit and method, to evaluate the effects of electrical potential on material pairs and fluids under mechanical load and in sliding contact. The fluids may comprise lubricants and oils utilized in electrical vehicles.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an electrically insulated block-on-rotating ring test unit for tribo-electrochemistry evaluation. The unit includes an electrically isolated rotating ring and an electrically isolated block configured to be mechanically loaded against the electrically isolated rotating ring, and negative and positive electrodes are configured to supply an electrical potential between the electrically isolated rotating ring and the electrically isolated block.
Electrode communication is implemented so that the negative and positive electrodes supply the electrical potential between the electrically isolated rotating ring and the electrically isolated block. Electrically insulating polymer housings and seals are used to prevent electrical interference, and the device includes a fluid inlet forming an oil/lubricant pool between the electrically isolated rotating ring and the electrically isolated block, with a thermocouple for measuring fluid temperature.
In evaluation, one or more fluids are introduced between the electrically isolated rotating ring and the electrically isolated block, and the electrically isolated rotating ring is rotated relative to the electrically isolated block while applying a mechanical load and an electrical potential between the block and the rotating ring. The electrical potential may be alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC), and electrical effects on wear and friction are reported using measured tribological metrics.
Claims Coverage
The document includes three independent claims: a test unit claim, a further test unit claim, and a method claim. Across these independent claims, the core inventive features concern an electrically insulated block-on-rotating ring test unit with electrodes supplying electrical potential between ring and block, including electrically insulated polymeric components and spring-tension electrode engagement, and a method for evaluating effects of electrical potential on fluids using rotation, mechanical load, and fluid introduction while maintaining electrically isolated components.
Electrically insulated block-on-rotating ring test unit
An electrically insulated block-on-rotating ring test unit comprising an electrically isolated rotating ring; an electrically isolated block configured to be mechanically loaded against the electrically isolated rotating ring; and a negative electrode in electrical communication with the electrically isolated block and a positive electrode in electrical communication with the electrically isolated rotating ring or vice versa, wherein the negative and positive electrodes are configured to supply an electrical potential between the electrically isolated rotating ring and the electrically isolated block.
Electrically insulated polymeric block and rotating ring with spring-tension electrode engagement
An electrically insulated block-on-rotating ring test unit comprising an electrically isolated rotating ring; an electrically isolated block configured to be mechanically loaded against the electrically isolated rotating ring, wherein the electrically isolated block and the electrically isolated rotating ring are composed of electrically insulated polymeric material; and a negative electrode in electrical communication with the electrically isolated block and a positive electrode in electrical communication with the electrically isolated rotating ring or vice versa, wherein the positive electrode or negative electrode, when in communication with the electrically isolated rotating ring, includes a spring tension to provide electrical engagement of the positive or negative electrode with the electrically isolated rotating ring.
Method for evaluating effects of electrical potential on fluids in a test unit
A method for evaluating the effects of electrical potential on one or more fluids in a test unit comprising supplying a test unit having an electrically isolated rotating ring, an electrically isolated block configured to be mechanically loaded against the electrically isolated rotating ring, a negative electrode in electrical communication with the electrically isolated block and a positive electrode in electrical communication with the electrically isolated rotating ring or vice versa, wherein the negative and positive electrodes are configured to supply an electrical potential between the electrically isolated rotating ring and the electrically isolated block; introducing one or more fluids between the electrically isolated rotating ring and the electrically isolated block; rotating the electrically isolated rotating ring relative to the electrically isolated block; and applying a mechanical load and an electrical potential between the electrically isolated block and the electrically isolated rotating ring.
The independent claims center on an electrically insulated, mechanically loaded block-on-rotating ring arrangement where electrodes supply an electrical potential between an electrically isolated rotating ring and an electrically isolated block. One independent claim further specifies electrically insulated polymeric components and spring-tension electrode engagement with the rotating ring, and the method claim evaluates effects of electrical potential on fluids by introducing fluids between the ring and block, rotating the ring relative to the block, and applying both mechanical load and electrical potential.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Electrification effects on wear/block scar width and friction characteristics of tested lubricants under mechanical load with applied electrical potential (AC or DC) and measured fluid temperature.
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