Vehicle Lubrication Based on Viscoelastic Polymers

Tactical wheeled vehicles represent a prominent portion of the Army's budget for both acquisition and operating costs. TACOM has identified suspension lubrication as a mission critical area for improvement. The goal is to lubricate a vehicle's suspension continuously for two years. This should create a cascade of cost effects in both maintainability and reliability. Single-point lubricators based on dynamic polymer composites (DPC) were reported on in August 1995 under TACOM DAAEO7-94Q-BAA2. Since that effort, the theoretical basis has been expanded and component functions have been simplified. The resulting advanced DPC (ADPC) lubricator depends on visocelastic effects to restrain and control the force of a prestressed sleeve. A May 1996 study estimated net present value of over $70 million. Phase I will design an ADPC lubricator, and determine its dispensing curve for a minimum period of two weeks. A comparative assessment including costs and benefits will be made against other systems. Phase II will develop prototypes for fleet tests. A large automotive supplier has pledged $500,000 to commercialize ADPC lubricators. They see a $100 million a year market in the 40 million vehicles on the road that require chassis lubrication.