Granted Patent B2

US 7,565,829 · App. 11/253,076 · Granted Jul 28, 2009

Abstract

Claims (28)

1. A method for treating a steering system, comprising:

introducing a composition into the steering system, the composition comprising one or more fluids compatible with a steering lubricant of the steering system, one or more steering system sealants, and one or more light activated compounds, wherein the steering system sealant(s) inhibit one or more leaks of the steering system during use;

operating the steering system after introducing the composition into the steering system; and

directing activating light towards at least a portion of the steering system, wherein one or more of the light activated compounds are visible when treated with the activating light during use.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising directing activating light toward at least a portion of the steering system after inhibiting one or more leaks detected during a previous inspection of the steering system.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the activating light is ultraviolet light.

4. A kit, comprising:

a container comprising a composition, the composition comprising one or more fluids compatible with a steering lubricant of a steering system; one or more steering system sealants, wherein the steering system sealant(s) inhibit one or more leaks in the steering system; and one or more light activated compounds, wherein one or more of the light activated compounds are visible when treated with activating light, and wherein detection of one or more of the light activating compounds indicates a position of one or more of the leaks in the steering system; and

an activating light source.

5. The kit of claim 4 further comprising an activating light source, wherein the activating light source comprises an ultraviolet light source.

6. The kit of claim 4 wherein at least one of the light activated compounds comprises a fluorescent compound.

7. The kit of claim 4 wherein at least one of the light activated compounds comprises a perylene.

8. The kit of claim 4 wherein the one or more steering system sealants comprise one or more phosphate esters.

9. The kit of claim 4 wherein the one or more steering system sealants comprise one or more alkyl phthalates.

10. The kit of claim 4 wherein the one or more steering system sealants comprise one or more esters.

11. The kit of claim 4 wherein the one or more steering system sealants comprise one or more triarylphosphate esters.

12. The kit of claim 4 wherein the composition further comprises refined petroleum compounds.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the light activated compounds comprises a fluorescent compound.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the light activated compounds comprises a perylene.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein one or more of the light activated compounds remain substantially unchanged at temperatures of up to about 1000° C.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more steering system sealants comprise one or more phosphate esters.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more steering system sealants comprise one or more alkyl phthalates.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more steering system sealants comprise one or more esters.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more steering system sealants comprise one or more triarylphosphate esters.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more steering system sealants comprise a polymer.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein the composition further comprises one or more steering lubricants.

22. The method of claim 1 wherein the composition further comprises hydrocarbons.

23. The method of claim 1 wherein the composition further comprises refined petroleum compounds.

Assignments (12)