Hydrophilic composition for use with a lubricating system as well as an apparatus and method for using the same

Abstract

A hydrophilic composition for use with a lubricating system comprises hydrophilic fibers having a diameter between 50 nm and 10 microns and a length that is at least 5 times the diameter. The hydrophilic fibers having a strong affinity for at least one of water and other hydrophilic fluids and may remove or eliminate free or dissolved water in a lubricating system comprising at least one of an oil and a lubricating fluid.

1 . A hydrophilic composition for use with a lubricating system, comprising hydrophilic fibers having a diameter between 50 nm and 10 microns and a length that is at least 5 times the diameter, the hydrophilic fibers having a strong affinity for at least one of water and other hydrophilic fluid. 
     
     
         2 . The hydrophilic composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the hydrophilic fibers are disposed on a surface of an element of an apparatus, wherein the
 surface is in fluid communication with a lubricating fluid, and is spaced from any frictional contact surface(s) of the apparatus.   
     
     
         3 . The hydrophilic composition according to  claim 2 , wherein the hydrophilic fibers are embedded or are physically incorporated into the surface. 
     
     
         4 . The hydrophilic composition according to  claim 2 , wherein the hydrophilic fibers are adhered to the surface. 
     
     
         5 . The hydrophilic composition according to  claim 2 , wherein the surface is a surface of a seal, which is comprised of an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         6 . The hydrophilic composition according to  claim 2 , wherein the surface is a surface of a bearing ring, which is comprised of steel. 
     
     
         7 . The hydrophilic composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the hydrophilic fibers have a diameter between 100 nm and 1 micron. 
     
     
         8 . The hydrophilic composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the hydrophilic fibers at least substantially comprise hygroscopic fibers. 
     
     
         9 . The hydrophilic composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the hydrophilic fibers are in the form of a cloth, pad, fabric or mat. 
     
     
         10 . The hydrophilic composition according to  claim 9 , wherein the hydrophilic fibers are in the form of a non-woven material. 
     
     
         11 . The hydrophilic composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the lubricating system comprises at least one of an oil and a lubricating fluid selected from at least one of:
 mineral oil obtained from crude oil,   group I, II and III lubricants, group IV lubricants, and   group V lubricants.   
     
     
         12 . The hydrophilic composition according to  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the oil and the lubricating fluid comprises at least one of mineral oil, synthetic ester, and plant-based oil and their derivatives, such as oils derived from rapeseed, canola, sunflower, canola and palm. 
     
     
         13 . The hydrophilic composition according to  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the oil and the lubricating fluid comprises at least one of animal-based oils, their derivatives and synthetic lubricants such as polyglycols (PG), polyalkylene glycol (PAG), white oils, silicone oils, very-high viscosity index oils (VHVI), water, glycerol and waxes. 
     
     
         14 . The hydrophilic composition according to  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the oil and the lubricating fluid has a viscosity that is between 1-1000 cSt at 40° C. 
     
     
         15 . The hydrophilic composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the hydrophilic fibers comprise a polymeric material that has been melt-spun into fibers. 
     
     
         16 . The hydrophilic composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the hydrophilic fibers comprise at least one of polyamide (PA), nylon 6,6, polyamide-6,6 (PA-6,6), polyamide-4,6 (PA-4,6), polyurethanes (PU), polybenzimidazole (PBI), polycarbonate (PC), polyacrylinitrile (PAN), acrylonitrile rubber (NBR), polyvinylalcohol (PVA), polylactic acid (PLA), polyethylene-co-vinyl-acetate (PEVA), PEVA, polymethacryate (PMMA), tetrahydroperfluorooctylacrylate (TAN), polyethylene oxide (PEO), collagen-PEO, polyaniline (PANT), polystyrene (PS), silk-like polymer with fibronectin functionality, polyninylcarbazole, polyethylene rerephtalate (PET), polyacrylic acid (PAA), polypyrene methanol (PM), polyvinylphenol (PVP), polyvinylchloride (PVC), cellulose acetate (CA), polyacrylamide (PAAm), PLGA, collagen, polycaprolactone (PCL), poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (HEMA), poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), polyether imide (PEI), polyethylene glycol (PEG), poly(ferrocenyldimethylsilane) (PFDMS), polyethylene-co-vinyl alcohol), polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), polymetha-phenylene isophthalamide, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), Teflon®, polytetrafluorethene (PTFE), waxes, waxy polymers, polyolefins, polyesters, polysulfones and polyethersulfones (PES). 
     
     
         17 . The hydrophilic composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the hydrophilic fibers comprise at least one of acrylamides, such as polyacrylamide and acrylates. 
     
     
         18 . The hydrophilic composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the hydrophilic fibers comprise at least one polymers derived from a natural or biodegradable source. 
     
     
         19 . The hydrophilic composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the hydrophilic fibers comprise at least two portions having at least one of different physical and chemical properties. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus comprising:
 at least two frictional contact surfaces that are at least one of in sliding and rolling contact with each other,   a lubricating fluid for reducing friction at the frictional contact surfaces, and   the hydrophilic composition including hydrophilic fibers having a diameter between 50 nm and 10 microns and a length that is at least 5 times the diameter, the hydrophilic fibers having a strong affinity for at least one of water and other hydrophilic fluids in fluid communication with the lubricating fluid.   
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the apparatus is a bearing and the hydrophilic composition is disposed at at least one location spaced from the frictional contact surfaces defined by rolling elements and bearing rings. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the hydrophilic composition is disposed on a surface of at least one of the bearing rings and on a surface of a seal, wherein the surface is not a frictional contact surface. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The hydrophilic composition according to  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the oil and the lubricating fluid has a viscosity that is between 1.0 and 300 cSt at 40° C.