From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Reprint from 'Motor Transport' magazine describing the 'Luber-finer' apparatus for continuous oil refining.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 145\3\ scan0145 | |
| Date | 13th February 1937 | |
| Reprinted from MOTOR TRANSPORT London, England, February 13th, 1937. Page 14. 1235 CLEAN OIL ALL THE TIME Crankcase Draining Rendered Unnecessary by the Luber-finer Apparatus The advantages of running continuously with clean oil are available by including in the oiling system what amounts to a miniature oil-refining plant. This is known as the Luber-finer, and differs from the ordinary strainer or filter in that it subjects the lubricant to a continual refining treatment similar to that which oil finally undergoes at a large-scale refinery. Thus if the oil is originally clean and undiluted it is maintained in that condition during the service of the vehicle whilst however contaminated and diluted it may be when the apparatus is installed, all impurities are quickly removed, this applying whether the engine is a petrol or diesel unit. The employment of the filter system should encourage the use of the highest grade oils. The obvious advantages, of course, are that the crankcase never requires to be drained but only replenished, and the life of the moving parts is considerably prolonged since the lubricating value of the oil remains at its maximum. In other words, the deterioration of engine oil, which ordinarily commences immediately an engine starts running, is arrested by the Luber-finer. It requires no attention whatever apart from the periodical renewal of the refining element at very infrequent intervals. Supplied in two sizes, the apparatus can be quickly installed at a cost of £4 and £6 respectively, which includes fitting charges. It is mounted on the engine and preferably so connected that the crankcase oil is delivered to it directly by the oil circulating pump. Novel Refining Process As shown by the part sectional drawing, the Luber-finer consists of a cylindrical casing with a removable cover. Oil from the crankcase enters through the central inlet where its flow is slightly restricted in order to maintain pressure. When the engine is cold so that the oil does not circulate freely it merely passes up through a fine gauze strainer mounted under the inlet, and is led through the outlet back to the crankcase. The refining process commences when oil flows through the central perforated tube shown, which is protected by a porous fibrous covering and is surrounded by the main refining material which is composed of asbestos wool and refining clay. The latter, which is mined in granular form, is exclusive to the Luber-finer and is chemically treated. As the oil passes through this material all metallic particles, dirt, carbon-forming elements and other solid impurities are removed, whilst water and fuel are returned to the crankcase in the form of vapour and gas, and pass through the crankcase breather to the atmosphere. All possibility of any oil passing out without being completely refined is prevented by the patented non-channelling device which comprises concentric rings fitted to the top and bottom of the inner cylinder. The refining element is held in place by several layers of fibrous material and a metal screen contained in a perforated casing. Through the last-named the refined oil emerges into the annular surrounding space and, after passing through the strainer in the cover, returns to the crankcase. The perforated casing containing the refining element can be renewed by removing the top cover. The cost at present is 30s., but it is necessary only after 15,000 to 20,000 miles in the case of petrol engines and 10,000 to 12,000 miles for diesel engines, according to the condition of the engine in each case. Should renewal of the refining element be neglected, there is no danger of high pressure building up due to a restricted flow of oil, as the lubricant is merely by-passed back to the sump as in the case of a cold engine. At the garage of Gladwell and Kell (1932), Ltd., at Ampton Street, W.C.1, a convincing demonstration of the apparatus was given whereby black oil drained from the sump of a diesel engine was first heated electrically to 160 deg. Fahr., and then pumped through a Luber-finer, from which it emerged in gradually cleaner condition until in about half an hour it had the appearance of new oil. Gas bubbles emerging through the upper perforations showed that fuel diluent in the oil was being eradicated. Sump oil from a petrol engine was similarly treated and reconditioned more quickly. Under a microscope a sample of reconditioned oil appeared perfectly clean. Construction of the Luber-finer apparatus. Image Labels: OUTLET INLET GAUZE STRAINER REFINING MATERIAL PERFORATED CASING PERFORATED TUBE Printed by The Cornwall Press Ltd., Paris Garden, S.E.1. | ||