Motor and gearbox fluid formulations and uses thereof

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to motor and transmission fluid formulations and uses thereof. Described herein are fluid formulations that may be used in vehicle drive systems, including low traction fluids, low viscosity motor fluids, and high pressure viscosity coefficient fluids. A fluid formulation includes a base oil and an additive. The fluid formulation may improve efficiency, reduce friction, and extend a drive cycle associated with a vehicle drive unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to fluid formulations. More specifically, this invention relates to highly efficient and low-friction fluid formulations. Example applications include gearboxes (gears, bearings, etc.), mechanical applications involving metal-to-metal contact, and automotive applications (e.g., electric vehicle drive units and automotive transmission systems). Background Technology

[0002] Automotive technologies encompass a wide range of systems and components designed to enhance the performance, efficiency, and durability of vehicles. These technologies include the development of fluid formulations for electric vehicle drive units, which consist of an electric motor and a transmission. Components such as those in electric vehicle drive units can utilize certain fluids to reduce friction, manage heat, and ensure long-term reliability. The application of these technologies extends to various types of vehicles, including passenger cars, trucks, and dedicated electric vehicles such as driverless taxis and semi-trailer trucks.

[0003] However, existing fluid formulations may not be able to balance the requirements of gearbox gear and bearing protection, continuous power motor operation, and efficiency requirements without sacrificing system efficiency and / or durability. Therefore, there is a current need for a fluid formulation that can simultaneously provide or achieve high efficiency of the drive unit, extended fluid life, and motor cooling. Summary of the Invention

[0004] For the purpose of summarizing this disclosure and the advantages achieved relative to the prior art, certain objects and advantages of this disclosure are described herein. Not all such objects or advantages can be achieved in any particular embodiment. Therefore, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or practiced in a manner that achieves or optimizes one or more advantages taught herein, without necessarily achieving other objectives or advantages that may be taught or suggested herein.

[0005] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a fluid formulation comprising: an additive; and a base oil selected from the group consisting of: American Petroleum Institute (API) Group II oils, API Group II+ oils, API Group III oils, API Group III+ oils, API Group IV oils, API Group V oils, and combinations thereof.

[0006] In some respects, the techniques described herein relate to a fluid formulation in which the base oil is selected from the group consisting of alkanes, polyalphaolefins (PAOs), monoesters, diesters, alkylated naphthalenes, polyol esters, and combinations thereof.

[0007] In some respects, the techniques described herein relate to a fluid formulation in which the alkanes are selected from the group consisting of isoalkanes, straight-chain alkanes, cycloalkanes, and combinations thereof.

[0008] In some respects, the techniques described herein relate to a fluid formulation in which the polyalphaolefin is selected from the group consisting of dimers, trimers, and tetramers formed from C6, C8, C10, C12, C14, or C16 monomers by oligomerization assisted by a Ziegler-Natta catalyst, a Lewis acid, or a combination thereof, excluding C10 trimers.

[0009] In some respects, the techniques described herein relate to a fluid formulation in which a polyalphaolefin is selected from the group consisting of: oligomers formed from C6, C8, C10, C12, C14 or C16 monomers using metallocene-based catalysts, Ziegler-Natta catalysts, Lewis acids or combinations thereof, and wherein a molecule of the oligomer has a carbon number greater than 80 and less than 300.

[0010] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a fluid formulation in which the monoester is composed of a monocarboxylic acid and an alcohol in a 1:1 ratio, wherein the monocarboxylic acid is selected from the group consisting of: octanoic acid, isooctanoic acid, nonanoic acid, isononanoic acid, decanoic acid, isodecanic acid, dodecanoic acid, isodecanoic acid, myristic acid, isomearmic acid, palmitic acid, isopalmitic acid, stearic acid, isostearic acid, oleic acid and their corresponding isomers, and wherein the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of: isooctyl alcohol, 2-ethylhexanol, isononol, 2-propylheptanol, isodecanol, isotriacontanol and their corresponding isomers.

[0011] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a fluid formulation in which the diester is composed of a diacid and an alcohol in a 1:2 ratio, wherein the diacid is selected from the group consisting of adipic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, dodecanoic acid and their corresponding isomers, and wherein the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of isooctyl alcohol, 2-ethylhexanol, isononol, 2-propylheptanol, isodecanol, isotriadecanool and their corresponding isomers.

[0012] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a fluid formulation in which a polyol ester is composed of a polyol and a monocarboxylic acid, wherein the polyol is selected from the group consisting of neopentyl glycol and pentaerythritol, and wherein the monocarboxylic acid is selected from the group consisting of valeric acid, isovaleric acid, hexanoic acid, isohexanoic acid, heptanoic acid, isohexanoic acid, octanoic acid, isooctanoic acid, nonanoic acid, isononanoic acid, decanoic acid, isodecanic acid, dodecanoic acid, isodecanoic acid, myristic acid, isomyristic acid, palmitic acid, isopalmitic acid, stearic acid, isostearic acid, oleic acid and their corresponding isomers.

[0013] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a fluid formulation in which the additives are selected from the group consisting of: anti-friction additives, anti-wear additives, extreme pressure additives, antioxidants, corrosion inhibitors, yellow metal passivators, dispersants, detergents, defoamers, sealing swelling agents, solubility enhancers, dyes, and combinations thereof.

[0014] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a fluid formulation comprising 0-15 wt.% of an additive, wherein the additive is selected from the group consisting of: HiTEC 3491K, HiTEC 5769, HiTEC 35750, HiTEC 2571, HiTEC 4780, other equivalent additives, and combinations thereof.

[0015] In some respects, the techniques described herein relate to a fluid formulation and also include viscosity index improvers.

[0016] In some respects, the techniques described herein relate to a fluid formulation comprising 0-6 wt.% of a viscosity index improver.

[0017] In some respects, the techniques described herein relate to a fluid formulation in which the viscosity index improver has a viscosity of 100-2000 cSt at 100°C.

[0018] In some respects, the techniques described herein relate to a fluid formulation and also include high-viscosity base oils.

[0019] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a fluid formulation comprising 0-40 wt.% of a high-viscosity base oil, wherein the high-viscosity base oil is selected from the group consisting of oligomers of C6, C8, C10, C12, C14 and C16 monomers, and / or complex esters.

[0020] In some respects, the techniques described herein relate to a fluid formulation in which a high-viscosity base oil has a viscosity of 40-1200 cSt at 100°C.

[0021] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a fluid formulation comprising: a sulfur content of 0 to 2000 ppm by mass, a phosphorus content of 0 to 300 ppm by mass, a calcium content of 0 to 150 ppm by mass, a boron content of 0 to 100 ppm by mass, a silicon content of 0 to 20 ppm by mass, and a nitrogen content of 0 to 1200 ppm by mass.

[0022] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle drive unit, comprising: a motor; a motor fluid system in fluid communication with the motor; a transmission; and a transmission fluid system in fluid communication with the transmission, wherein the transmission fluid system includes a fluid formulation.

[0023] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle drive unit in which a transmission fluid system is configured to pump fluid at a rate of 1-20 LPM via a mechanical or electric oil pump.

[0024] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle drive unit in which a motor fluid system is in fluid communication with a transmission fluid system.

[0025] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle drive unit in which the motor fluid system includes a low-viscosity motor fluid.

[0026] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle drive unit in which the motor fluid system includes a fluid formulation.

[0027] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle drive unit in which the motor is an electric motor.

[0028] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle, including a vehicle drive unit.

[0029] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle, and also includes an auxiliary vehicle drive unit comprising an auxiliary high-pressure viscosity coefficient fluid.

[0030] All of these embodiments are within the scope of the invention disclosed herein. These and other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention is not limited to any of the particular preferred embodiments disclosed. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1A A schematic diagram of a dual-fluid path system design according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0032] Figure 1B A schematic diagram of a single-fluid path system design according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0033] Figure 2A The following diagram illustrates a comparison of fluid friction between different fluid formulations and a baseline fluid formulation according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 2B The percentage of drive unit efficiency is shown for fluid formulations according to some embodiments of the present disclosure under different motor operating conditions.

[0035] Figure 2C The percentage of drive unit efficiency based on force gauge test data for fluid formulations according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown under various motor operating conditions.

[0036] Figure 3A This is a graph showing the efficiency of the drive unit for fluid formulations under different motor operating conditions according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 3B This is a graph showing the efficiency of the drive unit for fluid formulations under different motor operating conditions according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 4 The present disclosure illustrates a comparison of fluid friction between different fluid formulations at different entrainment velocities according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 5A , 5B Figures 5C and 5D illustrate the difference in normalized gearbox efficiency between various fluid formulations according to some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0040] Figure 6A Figures 6B, 6C, and 6D show the normalized output grid λ (Lambda) ratios for various fluid formulations according to some embodiments of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0041] This disclosure can be understood by referring to the following detailed description. It should be noted that, for the purpose of clarity, certain elements in the various drawings may not be drawn to scale, may be shown schematically or conceptually, or may otherwise not correspond exactly to certain physical configurations of the embodiments.

[0042] Generally, one or more aspects of this disclosure relate to fluid formulations for vehicles (e.g., electric vehicles), or more specifically, vehicle drive units (e.g., electric motors, transmissions, and drive inverters). In some embodiments, the fluid formulation is a low-friction and low-traction fluid achieved through molecular structure design, viscosity control, a tighter molecular weight distribution, and / or fluid formulation control. For example, low fluid friction and traction are achieved by coupling low-traction molecular designs with higher-viscosity co-molecules (which have polarity specifically designed for reduced friction in boundary and mixed lubrication states) (to flatten the Stribek curve).

[0043] Advantageously, the fluid formulation disclosed herein can provide higher drive unit efficiency and lower friction throughout the drive cycle (e.g., reducing transmission losses by approximately 15% to 30% in some embodiments). This fluid formulation can thus extend vehicle range. Friction reduction can be achieved through molecular design and improved viscosity characteristics to balance parasitic losses with torque-related losses, thereby achieving a higher level of lubrication. The improved fluid viscosity enables the drive unit to meet gear transmission protection and motor cooling requirements while operating with improved or maximized drive unit efficiency. Furthermore, extending fluid life allows for extended oil change intervals, which helps meet various requirements associated with different types of vehicles (such as semi-trailer trucks, autonomous taxis, light passenger vehicles, light trucks, etc.) (e.g., environmental adaptability, mileage, energy consumption, etc.).

[0044] In the field of drive units, achieving higher efficiency and extended driving range remains a significant challenge. For example, while some fluid formulations for electric vehicle drive units can reduce friction and traction, advanced low-traction gear oils often suffer from issues such as low-pressure viscosity coefficients, hygroscopicity, hydrolytic stability, and compatibility. These issues may render the fluid formulation unsuitable for the lubrication and cooling applications of electric vehicle drive units. Furthermore, balancing the stringent requirements for motor cooling and drive unit efficiency with the need for gear and bearing protection can be difficult.

[0045] To address many of the aforementioned challenges, some embodiments of this disclosure disclose fluid formulations for vehicle drive units, such as low-traction fluids, low-viscosity motor fluids, and / or high-pressure viscosity coefficient fluid formulations. In some embodiments, the fluid formulation comprises base oils and additives selected from API Group II, II+, III, III+, IV, V, and combinations thereof. The base oils may include alkanes, polyalphaolefins, monoesters, diesters, alkyl naphthalenes, and polyol esters. Advantageously, in some embodiments, the formulation may utilize Ziegler-Natta catalysts, Lewis acids, and / or higher degrees of oligomerization to generate molecules with specific molecular weights and structures. This formulation can be applied to electric vehicle drive units to improve drive unit efficiency and provide robust lubrication under high-load conditions. Electric vehicle drive units may include motors, transmissions, and drive inverters, wherein the fluid system is in fluid communication with the motor and transmission.

[0046] In some embodiments, the disclosed fluid formulation may include a primary base oil and secondary base oils. The base oils may constitute the major component of the fluid formulation (e.g., approximately 50-85% by weight) and may exhibit lubricating properties beneficial to the drive unit. Taking into account their lubricating properties, thermal stability, and other characteristics, the primary base oil may be selected from a variety of base oils, including alkanes, polyalphaolefins (PAOs), monoesters, diesters, alkyl naphthalenes, and polyol esters. The molecules associated with the base oil can be designed to achieve low friction and low traction, as well as controllable viscosity, to ensure adequate lubrication over a wide range of operating temperatures and conditions. The primary base oil may be formulated to be compatible with various additives, such as anti-wear agents, antioxidants, and friction modifiers, which enhance its performance.

[0047] In some embodiments, the auxiliary base oil has a lower weight percentage compared to the primary base oil. Auxiliary base oils can be used to enhance specific performance characteristics of fluid formulations. For example, the auxiliary base oil may have a higher viscosity than the primary base oil. Thus, the auxiliary base oil can provide robust lubrication under high load conditions, thereby ensuring the durability and lifespan of drive unit components. Examples of auxiliary base oils may include higher viscosity Group IV PAOs, Group V chemicals, and Group V complex esters prepared from polyols and acids (including diacids). Higher viscosity Group V complex esters can provide excellent lubrication properties and thermal stability, making them suitable for harsh applications.

[0048] In some embodiments, one or more additives may be included in a fluid formulation containing a base oil. These additives may be selected from the group consisting of various functional additives, such as anti-friction additives (e.g., for reducing friction between moving parts), anti-wear additives (e.g., for providing a protective layer on surfaces to minimize wear and extend component life), extreme pressure additives (e.g., for enhancing the fluid formulation's ability to withstand high-pressure conditions, preventing metal-to-metal contact, and reducing the risk of wear and pitting), antioxidants (e.g., for preventing oxidation of the fluid formulation, thereby extending its life and maintaining its performance characteristics over time), corrosion inhibitors (e.g., for protecting metal surfaces from corrosion, ensuring the life and reliability of drive unit components), and / or dyes (e.g., for adding color to the fluid formulation for identification and leak detection purposes).

[0049] In some embodiments, the fluid formulation may include about 0-15 wt% (e.g., 0-15% by weight) of an additive, thereby allowing flexibility in customizing the fluid formulation to meet specific performance requirements. Exemplary additives that may be used in fluid formulations may include HiTEC 3491K, HiTEC 5769, HiTEC 35750, HiTEC 2571, HiTEC 4780, other equivalent additives, and combinations thereof. base oil

[0050] In some embodiments, the fluid formulation (e.g., low-traction fluids and / or high-viscosity fluids) may include at least one base oil and an additive. In some embodiments, the base oil is selected from: American Petroleum Institute (API) Group II (“GII”) oils, API Group II+ (“GII+”) oils, API Group III (“GIII”) oils, API Group III+ (“GIII+”) oils, API Group IV (“GIV”) oils, API Group V (“GV”) oils, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the base oil is selected from alkanes, polyalphaolefins (PAOs), monoesters, diesters, alkylated naphthalenes, polyol esters, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the alkanes may be selected from isoalkanes, straight-chain alkanes, cycloalkanes, and any combination thereof in any proportion.

[0051] In some embodiments, polyalphaolefins (PAOs) are selected from the group consisting of dimers, trimers, and tetramers formed from C6, C8, C10, C12, C14, or C16 monomers via oligomerization reactions assisted by Ziegler-Natta catalysts and Lewis acids. C10 trimers are not included in this group. Ziegler-Natta catalysts are a class of catalysts used for olefin polymerization to produce polymers with specific molecular weights and structures. In the case of PAOs, Ziegler-Natta catalysts can advantageously help control the oligomerization reaction and the resulting molecular structure. Lewis acids can be compounds capable of accepting electron pairs. During the oligomerization reaction, Lewis acids can act as co-catalysts, enhancing the activity of other catalysts and improving reaction efficiency.

[0052] In some embodiments, polyalphaolefins (PAOs) are selected from the group consisting of oligomers formed from C6, C8, C10, C12, C14, or C16 monomers using metallocene-based catalysts, Ziegler-Natta catalysts, Lewis acids, or combinations thereof. The oligomer molecule has a carbon number greater than 80 and less than 300. Higher degrees of oligomerization (e.g., a carbon number between 80 and 300) can result in larger, more complex molecules with enhanced lubrication properties and thermal stability. Metallocene-based catalysts can be catalysts comprising metal centers bonded to organic ligands, used to produce polymers with precisely controlled molecular weight distribution and structure. In the case of PAOs, metallocene-based catalysts enable the synthesis of high molecular weight oligomers with specific triboelectric, viscosity, and / or thermal properties.

[0053] In some embodiments, the monoester is composed of a monocarboxylic acid and an alcohol in a 1:1 ratio. The monocarboxylic acid is selected from the group consisting of: octanoic acid, isooctanoic acid, nonanoic acid, isononanoic acid, decanoic acid, isodecanic acid, dodecanoic acid, isodecanic acid, myristic acid, isomyristic acid, palmitic acid, isopalmitic acid, stearic acid, isostearic acid, oleic acid, and isomers of octanoic acid, isooctanoic acid, nonanoic acid, isonononanoic acid, decanoic acid, isodecanic acid, dodecanoic acid, isodecanic acid, myristic acid, isodecanic acid, palmitic acid, isopalmitic acid, stearic acid, isostearic acid, and oleic acid. The alcohol is selected from the group consisting of: isoooctanol, 2-ethylhexanol, isononanol, 2-propylheptanol, isodecanol, isotriadecanol, and isotriadecanol, and isomers of isoooctanol, 2-ethylhexanol, isononanol, 2-propylheptanol, isodecanol, and isotriadecanol.

[0054] In some embodiments, the diester is composed of a diacid and an alcohol in a 1:2 ratio. The diacid is selected from the group consisting of adipic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, dodecanoic acid, and isomers of adipic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, and dodecanoic acid. The alcohol is selected from the group consisting of isooctanol, 2-ethylhexanol, isononol, 2-propylheptanol, isodecanol, isotriadecanol, and isotriadecanol, and isomers of isooctanol, 2-ethylhexanol, isononol, 2-propylheptanol, isodecanol, and isotriadecanol.

[0055] In some embodiments, the polyol ester is composed of a polyol and a monocarboxylic acid. The polyol is selected from neopentyl glycol and pentaerythritol. The monocarboxylic acid is selected from the group consisting of: valeric acid, isovaleric acid, hexanoic acid, isohexanoic acid, heptanoic acid, isohexanoic acid, octanoic acid, isooctanoic acid, nonanoic acid, isononanoic acid, decanoic acid, isodecanic acid, dodecanoic acid, isodecanic acid, myristic acid, isomyristic acid, palmitic acid, isopalmitic acid, stearic acid, isostearic acid, oleic acid, and isomers of valeric acid, isovaleric acid, hexanoic acid, isohexanoic acid, heptanoic acid, isohexanoic acid, octanoic acid, isooctanoic acid, nonanoic acid, isonononanoic acid, decanoic acid, isodecanic acid, dodecanoic acid, isodecanic acid, myristic acid, isodecanic acid, palmitic acid, isopalmitic acid, stearic acid, isostearic acid, and oleic acid.

[0056] In some embodiments, the additive is selected from the group consisting of: anti-friction additives, anti-wear additives, extreme pressure additives, antioxidants, corrosion inhibitors, yellow metal passivators, dispersants, detergents, defoamers, sealing swelling agents, solubility enhancers, dyes, and combinations thereof.

[0057] In some embodiments, the fluid formulation may include a primary base oil and a secondary base oil. The primary base oil corresponds to a higher weight percentage (e.g., 70%) of the fluid formulation compared to the secondary base oil. In some embodiments, the primary base oil may be a low-traction and / or low-friction fluid, and the secondary base oil may be a high-viscosity fluid. Example base oils (e.g., primary base oils) and their corresponding properties and performance metrics are shown in Table A below. Table A: Example Base Oils

[0058] Table A shows the properties associated with six example base oils. For example, the row “KV100, cSt, ASTM D445” indicates the kinematic viscosity at 100°C and measures the flow resistance of the fluid at 100°C, indicating its thickness and flow characteristics at that temperature. In some embodiments, the corresponding values ​​for the example base oils range from 1.6 to 5.6 centistokes (cSt).

[0059] In some embodiments, the line “KV40, cSt, ASTM D445” indicates the kinematic viscosity in centiliters (cSt) measured at 40°C. This property indicates the flow resistance of the fluid at 40°C, thus providing insight into its performance at higher temperatures. In some embodiments, this value ranges from 4.8 to 20.4 cSt.

[0060] In some embodiments, line “VI, ASTM D2270” indicates the viscosity index, which indicates how viscosity changes with temperature. Higher values ​​indicate a more stable viscosity over a temperature range. In some embodiments, the minimum value starts at 90 for all formulations.

[0061] In some embodiments, the line “Pour Point, C, ASTM D97” indicates the minimum temperature at which the fluid remains pourable, representing its low-temperature performance. In some embodiments, the maximum value is in the range of -36 °C to 10 °C.

[0062] In some embodiments, the line “Flash Point, C, ASTM D92” indicates the temperature at which a fluid can evaporate in air to form a flammable mixture, indicating its safety and volatility characteristics. In some embodiments, the minimum value begins at 160°C for all formulations.

[0063] In some embodiments, the line “Burlman viscosity at -20°C, cP, ASTM D2983” measures the fluid viscosity at -20°C, indicating its performance under cold conditions. In some embodiments, the maximum value is 600 cP for most formulations.

[0064] In some embodiments, the line “Novack volatility at 180°C for 2 hours, % wt., ASTM D5800” measures the fluid’s tendency to evaporate at high temperatures, indicating its stability and lifespan. In some embodiments, the maximum value starts at 6% for all formulations.

[0065] In some embodiments, the "Acid Value, mg KOH / g, ASTM D974" is used to measure the amount of acidic components in the fluid, indicating their potential to cause corrosion. In some embodiments, the maximum value is less than 0.03 mg KOH / g for all formulations.

[0066] In some embodiments, the amount of hydroxyl groups in the fluid is measured using the "hydroxyl value, mg KOH / g, ISO 4326" standard, indicating its potential for hydrolytic stability. In some embodiments, the maximum value is less than 1 mg KOH / g for all formulations.

[0067] In some embodiments, the base oil of the disclosed fluid formulation may include polyalphaolefins (PAOs), alkanes, monoesters, diesters, and / or polyol esters. PAOs are synthetic hydrocarbons formed through oligomerization of alpha-olefins. Exemplary PAOs in the fluid formulation may include dimers, trimers, and tetramers formed from C6, C8, C10, C12, C14, and C16 monomers, but may exclude C10 trimers. These oligomers can be synthesized using Ziegler-Natta catalysts and Lewis acids, and combinations thereof in any proportion. Example PAOs may exhibit excellent lubrication properties, high viscosity index, and thermal stability.

[0068] In some embodiments, alkanes may include n-alkanes, isoalkanes, and cycloalkanes. N-alkanes, isoalkanes, and cycloalkanes can be different types of hydrocarbons used in base oils. N-alkanes are straight-chain hydrocarbons, isoalkanes are branched-chain hydrocarbons, and cycloalkanes are cyclic hydrocarbons. Each type of alkane can provide different properties that contribute to the overall performance of the lubricant.

[0069] In some embodiments, the monoester is composed of a monocarboxylic acid and an alcohol. The monocarboxylic acid can be selected from a variety of options, including octanoic acid, isooctanoic acid, nonanoic acid, isononanoic acid, decanoic acid, isodecanonicic acid, dodecanoic acid, isododecanoic acid, myristic acid, isomearic acid, palmitic acid, isopalmitic acid, stearic acid, isostearic acid, oleic acid, and their isomers. The alcohol can be selected from isooctanol, 2-ethylhexanol, isononanol, 2-propylheptanol, isodecanol, isotriadecanol, and their isomers. The monoester can enhance the lubricity and thermal stability of the base oil.

[0070] In some embodiments, the diester consists of a diacid and an alcohol. The diacid may be selected from azidodiacid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, dodecanoic acid, and their isomers. The alcohol may be selected from isooctyl alcohol, 2-ethylhexanol, isononol, 2-propylheptanol, isodecanol, isotriadecanol, and their isomers. The diester provides additional protection against wear and extreme pressure conditions.

[0071] In some embodiments, the polyol ester is composed of a polyol and an acid. The monocarboxylic acid may be selected from valeric acid, isovaleric acid, hexanoic acid, isohexanoic acid, heptanoic acid, isohexanoic acid, octanoic acid, isooctanoic acid, nonanoic acid, isononanoic acid, decanoic acid, isodecanic acid, dodecanoic acid, isodecanoic acid, myristic acid, isomyristic acid, palmitic acid, isopalmitic acid, stearic acid, isostearic acid, oleic acid, and their isomers. The polyol may be selected from neopentyl glycol and pentaerythritol, etc. Polyol esters provide excellent lubricating properties and thermal stability. Example molecular structures of base oils (e.g., primary base oils) are shown in Table B below. Table B: Example Molecular Structures of Base Oils

[0072] In some embodiments, the fluid formulation may include a high-viscosity base oil (e.g., a co-base oil) used in the fluid formulation for electric vehicle drive units. High-viscosity base oils provide strong lubrication under high-load conditions, ensuring the durability and lifespan of drive unit components. Example high-viscosity base oils are shown in Table C below. Table C: Examples of High Viscosity Base Oils

[0073] As shown in Table C, in some embodiments, high-viscosity base oils can be synthesized from monomers of C6, C8, C10, C12, C14, and C16. These monomers are polymerized to form oligomers with higher viscosity, which is necessary to maintain adequate lubrication in demanding applications. The number of carbon atoms in one molecule of these oligomers is greater than 80 and less than 300. As mentioned above, the oligomers can contain isomers and are synthesized using advanced catalytic methods, such as Ziegler-Natta catalysts and / or metallocene-based catalysts, as well as Lewis acids. These advanced catalytic methods enable precise control of the molecular structure and properties of the base oil, resulting in high-performance lubricants. In some embodiments, high-viscosity base oils may comprise esters (e.g., high-viscosity Class V complex esters) formed from polyols and acids (including diacids). High-viscosity Class V complex esters can be synthesized to provide at least excellent lubrication properties and thermal stability. Finished Lubricant Formula

[0074] In some embodiments, the finished lubricant formulation may be prepared based on the various base oils described above. By combining various base oils, additives, and / or other components, the formulation can achieve specific performance characteristics. Example finished lubricant formulations and their corresponding performance characteristics or measures are shown in Table D below. Table D: Example Finished Lubricant Formulation (wt. %)

[0075] Table D lists six example finished lubricant formulations. Each example finished lubricant formulation can be characterized by specific properties and components. As shown in Table D, each formulation may include different percentages of base oils #1 to #6. In some embodiments, the percentage of base oil in the formulation is 0% to 98% (by weight).

[0076] In some embodiments, the formulation includes various additives, such as HITEC 3491K, HITEC 35750, and others. These additives enhance the protective properties of the lubricant, including anti-wear, anti-oxidation, friction-improving, and corrosion-inhibiting capabilities. In some embodiments, the percentage of additives in the formulation is 0% to 12% (by weight).

[0077] In some embodiments, the formulation may include high-viscosity base oils synthesized from oligomers of C6, C8, C10, C12, C14, and C16 monomers. These high-viscosity base oils provide strong lubrication under high-load conditions. In some embodiments, the percentage of high-viscosity base oil in the formulation is 0% to 40% (by weight).

[0078] In some embodiments, the formulation may include a viscosity index improver (VII), which helps maintain optimal viscosity at different operating temperatures. In some embodiments, the percentage of the viscosity index improver in the formulation is 0% to 6% (by weight).

[0079] In some embodiments, the formulation may include an antifoaming agent, which helps reduce foam formation and ensure consistent lubrication properties. In some embodiments, the percentage of antifoaming agent in the formulation is 0% to 0.1% (by weight).

[0080] In some embodiments, some properties of the example finished lubricant formulation may include kinematic viscosity at 40 °C (represented by line "KV40, cSt, ASTM D445"), kinematic viscosity at 100 °C (represented by line "KV100, cSt, ASTM D445"), viscosity index (represented by line "VI, ASTM D2270"), pour point, flash point, Brinell viscosity at -20 °C, Novak volatility at 180 °C for 2 hours, appearance, water content, elastomer compatibility, hydrolytic stability, wear and pitting wear verification, and coefficient of friction.

[0081] In some embodiments, kinematic viscosity at 40 °C measures the flow resistance of a fluid at 40 °C, indicating its thickness and flow characteristics at that temperature. In some embodiments, the value is in the range of 16.0 to 100.0 cSt.

[0082] In some embodiments, kinematic viscosity at 100 °C measures the flow resistance of a fluid at 100 °C, thereby providing insight into its performance at higher temperatures. In some embodiments, the value is in the range of 4.0 to 16.0 cSt.

[0083] In some embodiments, the viscosity index indicates how viscosity changes with temperature, with higher values ​​indicating a more stable viscosity over a temperature range. In some embodiments, the minimum value for all formulations is 120.

[0084] In some embodiments, the pour point is the lowest temperature at which a fluid remains pourable, indicating its low-temperature performance. In some embodiments, the value ranges from -30°C to -10°C.

[0085] In some embodiments, the flash point is the temperature at which a fluid can evaporate to form a flammable mixture in air, indicating its safety and volatility characteristics. In some embodiments, the minimum value is 180 °C for all formulations.

[0086] In some embodiments, the Brinell viscosity measurement at -20 °C measures the viscosity of a fluid at -20 °C, indicating its performance under cold conditions. In some embodiments, the maximum value is 2000 cP.

[0087] In some embodiments, the Novack volatility measurement, performed at 180 °C for 2 hours, measures the fluid's tendency to evaporate at high temperatures, indicating its stability and lifetime. In some embodiments, the maximum value is 20% for all formulations.

[0088] In some embodiments, appearance describes the visual clarity and absence of haze in the fluid. Therefore, the example formulation may be clear and appear hazy.

[0089] In some embodiments, water content is a measure of the amount of water in a fluid, indicating its potential for hydrolytic stability. In some embodiments, the maximum value for all embodiment formulations is 1000 ppm.

[0090] In some embodiments, elastomer compatibility measures the compatibility of a fluid with an elastomer material, indicating the likelihood of it causing swelling or degradation.

[0091] In some embodiments, hydrolysis stability measures the stability of a fluid in the presence of water, indicating its resistance to hydrolysis.

[0092] In some embodiments, abrasion and pitting wear verification tests measure the fluid’s ability to prevent abrasion and pitting wear, indicating its protective properties. For all embodiment formulations, this value is specified as a minimum of 90 hours for abrasion and pitting wear verification.

[0093] In some embodiments, the coefficient of friction measures a fluid’s ability to reduce friction, indicating its lubrication properties. In some embodiments, this value is less than 0.012 for all embodiment formulations, and less than 0.01 for most formulations. Drive unit, vehicle and application

[0094] Figure 1A A schematic diagram of a dual-fluid path system 100 according to some embodiments is shown, comprising a transmission fluid path 102 and a motor fluid path 122. The transmission fluid path 102 includes a gearbox 104 containing gear fluid in fluid communication with a transmission pump 106, which pumps the gear fluid (e.g., pumps) through a transmission filter 108 to a heat exchanger 136. The gear fluid from the heat exchanger 136 is then conveyed to a gear system 110, which returns the gear fluid to the gearbox 104. The gear system 110 is mechanically connected to an axle 112 of the vehicle. The motor fluid path 122 includes a motor path 124 containing motor fluid in fluid communication with a motor pump 126, which pumps the motor fluid through a motor filter 128 to the heat exchanger 136. The motor fluid from the heat exchanger 136 is then conveyed to a motor system 130 including a stator 131 and a rotor 132, which returns the motor fluid to the motor path 124. Motor system 130 is mechanically connected to gear system 110 via connection 134. Heat exchanger 136 includes coolant fluid path 138 through which coolant fluid flows and is configured to exchange heat with gear fluid and motor fluid.

[0095] In some embodiments, at least one of the gear fluid and the motor fluid comprises a fluid formulation (i.e., a low-traction fluid and / or a high-pressure viscosity fluid). In some embodiments, the gear fluid comprises a first fluid formulation (i.e., a low-traction fluid or a high-pressure viscosity fluid) and the motor fluid comprises a second fluid formulation (i.e., a low-traction fluid or a high-pressure viscosity fluid). In some embodiments, the gear fluid and the motor fluid are different fluid formulations. In some embodiments, the gear fluid and the motor fluid are different low-traction fluid formulations. In some embodiments, the gear fluid and the motor fluid are different high-pressure viscosity fluid formulations. In some embodiments, one of the gear fluid and the motor fluid is a low-traction fluid formulation and the other is a high-pressure viscosity fluid formulation. Although a dual-oil system is not necessary for achieving a low-traction fluid or high-pressure viscosity fluid design, in some embodiments, a dual-oil system can provide additional benefits to fluid systems utilizing low-traction fluids and / or high-pressure viscosity fluids.

[0096] Figure 1BA schematic diagram of a single-fluid path system or single-fluid system 150 according to some embodiments is shown, including a single-fluid path 164. The single-fluid path 164 includes an oil sump 152 containing fluid in fluid communication with an oil pump 154, which forces the fluid through an oil filter 156 to a heat exchanger 162. The fluid from the heat exchanger 162 is then passed to a transmission 158, which returns the fluid to the oil sump 152. In the single-fluid path 164, the fluid from the heat exchanger 162 is also passed to a motor 160, which returns the fluid to the oil sump 152. The transmission 158 is mechanically connected to an axle of a vehicle. The motor 160 is mechanically connected to the transmission 158 via a coupling. The heat exchanger 162 may include a coolant fluid path flowing through the heat exchanger 162 and configured to exchange heat with the fluid.

[0097] In some embodiments, the gear fluid and / or motor fluid are fluid formulations. In some embodiments, the motor fluid is a low-viscosity oil for cooling and / or lubrication, which differs from the fluid formulation. In some embodiments, the gear fluid and motor fluid are the same fluid. In some embodiments, the gear fluid and motor fluid are low-traction fluids. In some embodiments, the gear fluid and motor fluid are the same low-traction fluid formulation or different low-traction fluid formulations. In some embodiments, the gear fluid and motor fluid are high-pressure viscosity coefficient fluids. In some embodiments, the gear fluid and motor fluid are the same high-pressure viscosity coefficient fluid formulation or different high-pressure viscosity coefficient fluid formulations. In some embodiments, the gear fluid and motor fluid are different fluids. In some embodiments, the gear fluid is a low-traction fluid and the motor fluid is different. In some embodiments, the gear fluid is a low-traction fluid and the motor fluid is a different low-traction fluid, a high-pressure viscosity fluid, or a low-viscosity oil. In some embodiments, the gear fluid is a high-pressure viscosity coefficient fluid and the motor fluid is different. In some embodiments, the gear fluid is a high-pressure viscosity coefficient fluid and the motor fluid is a different high-pressure viscosity fluid, a low-traction fluid, or a low-viscosity oil. In some embodiments, the fluid in a single-fluid path system is a low-traction fluid or a high-pressure viscosity coefficient fluid.

[0098] In some embodiments, the transmission fluid system and / or single-fluid system are configured to pump fluid at a rate of 0.01 liters per minute (LPM), approximately 0.03 LPM, 0.05 LPM, 0.1 LPM, 0.15 LPM, 0.2 LPM, 0.3 LPM, 0.5 LPM, 1 LPM, 2 LPM, 3 LPM, 4 LPM, 5 LPM, 6 LPM, 7 LPM, 8 LPM, 9 LPM, 10 LPM, 12 LPM, 15 LPM, 18 LPM, 20 LPM, 22 LPM, 25 LPM, 27 LPM, 29 LPM, or 30 LPM, or any range thereof.

[0099] In some embodiments, the vehicle includes a fluid path system (e.g., a single or dual fluid path system). In some embodiments, the vehicle includes an electric motor. In some embodiments, the vehicle is an electric vehicle. In some embodiments, the vehicle includes a first drive unit and a second drive unit. Performance and Results

[0100] exist Figure 2A-6D The section describes example performance and results obtained (e.g., by measurement or simulation) based on the fluid formulations discussed above. These example performances and results were obtained through experiments and / or simulations of applications using finished lubricant formulations #1-#6 based on Table D and / or other fluid formulations based on example base oils from Tables A and C.

[0101] Figure 2A A comparison of fluid friction between fluid formulations (e.g., finished lubricant formulations #1-#6 in Table D) and baseline fluid formulations is shown. The horizontal axis represents the entrainment velocity in millimeters per second (mm / s), using a logarithmic scale, ranging from 1 mm / s to 10000 mm / s. The vertical axis represents the coefficient of friction, ranging from 0.000 to 0.120. Figure 2A As shown, fluid formulations #1-#5 and the baseline fluid formulation exhibit a decrease in the coefficient of friction with increasing entrainment speed. At lower entrainment speeds (approximately 10 mm / s), all formulations show higher coefficients of friction, indicating higher frictional losses. When the entrainment speed increases to approximately 100 mm / s, the coefficients of friction for all formulations decrease significantly, reaching a plateau at higher speeds.

[0102] Figure 2A The results show that the finished lubricant formulations #1-#6 in Table D generally exhibit a lower coefficient of friction compared to the baseline fluid formulations, indicating that the finished lubricant formulations #1-#6 have excellent anti-friction properties.

[0103] Figure 2BThe drive unit (DU) efficiency is shown based on the fluid formulation (e.g., finished lubricant formulation #3 in Table D). More specifically, Figure 2B The table shows the percentage of drive unit (DU) efficiency for finished lubricant formulation #3 under various motor operating conditions based on simulation results. The horizontal axis represents motor speed in kilorpm, ranging from 0 to 12krpm. The vertical axis represents motor torque in Newton-meters (Nm), ranging from -200 Nm to 200 Nm. The gradient axis, represented by color gradients, indicates the percentage of drive unit efficiency.

[0104] like Figure 2B As shown, the color gradient ranges from red to green, with red indicating lower efficiency and green indicating higher efficiency. Efficiency values ​​are annotated on the surface plot, ranging from approximately 0.1% to 1.1%. Although efficiency values ​​vary across different motor torques and / or motor speeds, Figure 2B The effectiveness of finished lubricant formulation #3 in Table D in improving drive unit efficiency remains demonstrated over a wide range of motor operating conditions (e.g., no efficiency value between -0.1% and 0%). Therefore, Figure 2B Simulation results show that finished lubricant formulation #3 provides significant efficiency gains, especially in the mid-range of motor speed and torque.

[0105] Figure 2C The graph shows the percentage of drive unit (DU) efficiency for fluid formulations (e.g., finished lubricant formulation #3 in Table D) under various motor operating conditions, based on dyno test data. The horizontal axis represents motor speed in revolutions per minute (krpm), ranging from 0 to 15000 rpm. The vertical axis represents motor torque in Newton-meters (Nm), ranging from -200 Nm to 300 Nm. The color gradient on the graph represents the percentage of drive unit efficiency, with a scale range approximately from -0.5% to 0.5%. Overall, Figure 2C Based on dyno test data, the effectiveness of finished lubricant formulation #3 in enhancing drive unit efficiency is demonstrated in Table D under a wide range of motor operating conditions.

[0106] Figure 3A This is a graph illustrating the percentage of drive unit (DU) efficiency for fluid formulations (e.g., finished lubricant formulation #1) under various motor operating conditions. Figure 3A This provides a visual representation of how the drive unit's efficiency changes with motor speed and torque. The horizontal axis represents motor speed in kilorpm, ranging from 0 to 16 krpm. The vertical axis represents motor torque in Newton-meters (Nm), ranging from -200 Nm to 400 Nm. The color gradient represents the drive unit's efficiency percentage, scaled from -0.6% to 0.4%.

[0107] like Figure 3A As shown, the color gradient ranges from red to green, with red indicating lower efficiency and green indicating higher efficiency. Efficiency values ​​are annotated on the contour lines, providing a specific percentage of efficiency for various motor speed and torque combinations. Overall, Figure 3A This demonstrates that the formulation provides a significant efficiency gain (e.g., no efficiency percentage between -0.6% and 0%), proving the effectiveness of this fluid formulation in enhancing drive unit efficiency over a wide range of motor operating conditions.

[0108] Figure 3B This is a graph illustrating the percentage of drive unit (DU) efficiency for fluid formulations (e.g., finished lubricant formulation #2) under various motor operating conditions. Figure 3A similar, Figure 3B This demonstrates that the formulation provides a significant efficiency gain (e.g., no efficiency percentage between -0.6% and 0%), proving the effectiveness of this fluid formulation in enhancing drive unit efficiency over a wide range of motor operating conditions.

[0109] Figure 4 The comparison of fluid friction (e.g., coefficient of friction (CoF)) between various fluid formulations at different entrainment velocities is shown. Figure 4 In the diagram, the horizontal axis represents the conveying speed in millimeters per second (mm / s), using a logarithmic scale, ranging from 1 mm / s to 10000 mm / s. The vertical axis represents the coefficient of friction, ranging from 0.000 to 0.120. More specifically, Figure 4 The coefficients of friction were compared between baseline formulations, fluid formulations (e.g., finished lubricant formulation #3 in Table D), and four original equipment manufacturer (OEM) fluid formulations.

[0110] like Figure 4 As shown, all fluid formulations exhibit a decreasing coefficient of friction as the entrainment speed increases. At lower entrainment speeds (e.g., approximately 10 mm / s), all formulations have higher coefficients of friction, indicating higher frictional losses. As the entrainment speed increases to approximately 100 mm / s, the coefficients of friction for all formulations decrease and plateau at higher speeds (e.g., above 1000 mm / s). The fluid formulation exhibits the lowest coefficient of friction across the entrainment speed range, demonstrating superior anti-friction performance compared to the four OEM fluid formulations and the baseline formulation.

[0111] Figure 5A , 5B Figures 5C and 5D illustrate the difference in normalized gearbox efficiency between various fluid formulations according to some embodiments of this disclosure. Figure 5A , 5BIn 5C and 5D, the horizontal axis represents the normalized motor speed, ranging from 0.1 to 1.0. The vertical axis represents the normalized motor torque, ranging from 0.1 to 1.0. The color gradient represents the normalized efficiency difference as a percentage (Δ, %), with the scale ranging from negative (red) to positive (green). More specifically, Figure 5A The difference in normalized gearbox (GB) efficiency between the baseline formulation and this fluid formulation (e.g., one of the finished lubricant formulations in Table D) is shown. Figure 5B The difference in normalized gearbox (GB) efficiency between the fourth OEM fluid formulation and that fluid formulation is shown. Figure 5C The difference in normalized gearbox (GB) efficiency between the first OEM fluid formulation and that fluid formulation is shown. Figure 5D The difference in normalized gearbox (GB) efficiency between the second OEM fluid formulation and the fluid formulation is shown.

[0112] In short, Figure 5A , 5B Figures 5C and 5D show that the fluid formulation has a higher normalized transmission efficiency than the baseline fluid formulation and the OEM fluid formulation, indicating the efficiency gain associated with this fluid formulation. Figure 5A , 5B 5C and 5D also indicate that the baseline fluid formulation has higher normalized transmission efficiency than the OEM fluid formulation.

[0113] Figure 6A , 6B Tables 6C and 6D illustrate normalized output grid λ ratios for various fluid formulations under various motor operating conditions according to some embodiments of this disclosure. The λ ratio is a measure of lubricant film thickness relative to surface roughness, with higher values ​​indicating better lubrication and protection. The horizontal axis represents the normalized motor speed, ranging from 0.1 to 1.0. The vertical axis represents the normalized motor torque, also ranging from 0.1 to 1.0. The color gradient represents the normalized λ ratio, with the scale ranging from red (lower λ ratio) to green (higher λ ratio).

[0114] Figure 6A The normalized output grid λ ratio is shown for fluid formulations (e.g., one of the finished lubricant formulations in Table D). Figure 6A Primarily indicated by green shading, this suggests that the fluid formulation typically provides a high λ ratio across a wide range of motor operating conditions, indicating excellent lubrication and protection performance. The green area may also indicate that the fluid formulation maintains a thicker lubricating film, reducing surface contact and wear.

[0115] Figures 6B-6D The normalized output grid λ ratio for various OEM fluid formulations is shown. (Compared to...) Figure 6A compared to, Figures 6B-6DThe redder color indicates that OEM fluid formulations typically offer a lower λ ratio compared to conventional fluid formulations. Therefore, OEM fluid formulations maintain a thinner lubricating film, increasing surface contact and wear. In summary, Figure 6A , 6B The results from 6C and 6D indicate that, compared to various OEM fluid formulations, the fluid formulation typically provides a higher normalized output grid λ ratio over a wide range of motor operating conditions, suggesting that the fluid formulation offers better lubrication and protection. in conclusion

[0116] While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. In fact, the novel methods and systems described herein can be embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made to the systems and methods described herein without departing from the spirit of this disclosure. The appended claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications that fall within the scope and spirit of this disclosure.

[0117] Features, materials, characteristics, or groups described in connection with a particular aspect, embodiment, or example should be understood to be applicable to any particular aspect, embodiment, or example described in this section or elsewhere in this specification, unless incompatible with it. All features disclosed in this specification (including any appended claims, abstract, and drawings) and / or all steps of any method or process so disclosed may be combined in any combination, unless at least some such combinations of features and / or steps are mutually exclusive. Protection is not limited to the details of any of the foregoing embodiments. Protection extends to any novel one or any novel combination of features disclosed in this specification (including any appended claims, abstract, and drawings), or any novel one or any novel combination of steps of any method or process so disclosed.

[0118] Furthermore, certain features described in this disclosure within the context of separate implementations may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented individually in multiple embodiments or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as functioning in certain combinations, in some cases, one or more features may be removed from the claimed combination, and the combination may be claimed as a sub-combination or a variation of a sub-combination.

[0119] Furthermore, while operations may be depicted in the accompanying drawings or described in the specification in a specific order, such operations do not need to be performed in the specific order shown or in a sequential order, or all operations need not be performed to achieve the desired result. Other operations not depicted or described may be incorporated into the example methods and processes. For example, one or more additional operations may be performed before, after, simultaneously with, or between any described operations. Furthermore, operations may be rearranged or reordered in other embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that in some embodiments, the actual steps taken in the illustrated and / or disclosed processes may differ from those shown in the figures. Depending on the embodiment, some of the above steps may be removed, or other steps may be added. Furthermore, the features and properties of the specific embodiments disclosed above may be combined in different ways to form other embodiments, all of which fall within the scope of this disclosure. Additionally, the separation of the various system components in the above embodiments should not be construed as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should be understood that the described components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single product or packaged into multiple products. For example, any component of the energy storage system described herein may be provided separately or integrated together (e.g., packaged together or attached together) to form an energy storage system.

[0120] For the purposes of this disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features have been described herein. It is not necessary that all these advantages be realized according to any particular embodiment. Therefore, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that this disclosure may be embodied or implemented in a manner that achieves one or a set of advantages as taught herein, without necessarily achieving other advantages as taught or revealed herein.

[0121] Unless otherwise specifically stated or otherwise understood in the context in which they are used, conditional languages ​​such as “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may” are generally intended to express that certain embodiments include certain features, elements, and / or steps, while other embodiments do not. Therefore, such conditional languages ​​are generally not intended to imply that features, elements, and / or steps are required in any way by one or more embodiments, or that one or more embodiments must include logic for determining whether such features, elements, and / or steps are included or will be performed in any particular embodiment, with or without user input or prompting.

[0122] Unless otherwise specifically stated, connective language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z” should be understood in conjunction with the commonly used context to express that an item, term, etc., may be X, Y, or Z. Therefore, such connective language is not generally intended to imply that some embodiments require the presence of at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z.

[0123] The degree language used herein, such as the terms “about,” “approximately,” “generally,” and “substantially”, means a value, quantity, or characteristic that is close to the stated value, quantity, or characteristic, yet still performs the desired function or achieves the desired result. For example, the terms “about,” “approximately,” “generally,” and “substantially” may refer to quantities within 10%, 5%, 1%, 0.1%, and 0.01% of the stated quantity, depending on the desired function or desired result.

[0124] The scope of this disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific disclosures of preferred embodiments in this section or elsewhere in this specification, and may be defined by the claims set forth in this section or elsewhere in this specification, or by claims to be proposed in the future. The language of the claims should be interpreted broadly based on the language used in the claims and is not limited to the examples described in this specification or during the examination of this application, which should be interpreted as non-exclusive.

[0125] The headings provided herein (if any) are for convenience only and do not necessarily affect the scope or meaning of the apparatus and methods disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A fluid formulation, comprising: additive; as well as Base oil, wherein the base oil is selected from the group consisting of: American Petroleum Institute (API) Group II oils, API Group II+ oils, API Group III oils, API Group III+ oils, API Group IV oils, API Group V oils, and combinations thereof. The base oils include primary base oils and secondary base oils, wherein the secondary base oils have a lower weight percentage than the primary base oils.

2. The fluid formulation according to claim 1, wherein the base oil is selected from the group consisting of: alkanes, polyalphaolefins (PAO), monoesters, diesters, alkylated naphthalenes, polyol esters, and combinations thereof.

3. The fluid formulation according to claim 2, wherein the alkane is selected from the group consisting of isoalkanes, straight-chain alkanes, cycloalkanes, and combinations thereof.

4. The fluid formulation according to claim 2, wherein the polyalphaolefin is selected from the group consisting of: dimers, trimers and tetramers formed by oligomerization reactions assisted by Ziegler-Natta catalysts, Lewis acids or combinations thereof from C6, C8, C10, C12, C14 or C16 monomers, wherein the group does not include C10 trimers.

5. The fluid formulation of claim 2, wherein the polyalphaolefin is selected from the group consisting of: oligomers formed from C6, C8, C10, C12, C14 or C16 monomers using metallocene-based catalysts, Ziegler-Natta catalysts, Lewis acids or combinations thereof, and wherein a molecule of the oligomer has a carbon number greater than 80 and less than 300.

6. The fluid formulation according to claim 2, wherein the monoester is composed of a monocarboxylic acid and an alcohol in a 1:1 ratio, and wherein the monocarboxylic acid is selected from the group consisting of: octanoic acid, isooctanoic acid, nonanoic acid, isononanoic acid, decanoic acid, isodecanic acid, dodecanoic acid, isodecanic acid, myristic acid, isomearic acid, palmitic acid, isopalmitic acid, stearic acid, isostearic acid, oleic acid and their corresponding isomers, and wherein the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of: isooctyl alcohol, 2-ethylhexanol, isononanol, 2-propylheptanol, isodecanol, isotriadecanol and their corresponding isomers.

7. The fluid formulation according to claim 2, wherein the diester is composed of a dicarboxylic acid and an alcohol in a 1:2 ratio, and wherein the dicarboxylic acid is selected from the group consisting of adipic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, dodecanoic acid and their corresponding isomers, and wherein the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of isooctyl alcohol, 2-ethylhexanol, isononol, 2-propylheptanol, isodecanol, isotriadecyl alcohol and their corresponding isomers.

8. The fluid formulation according to claim 2, wherein the polyol ester is composed of a polyol and a monocarboxylic acid, wherein the polyol is selected from the group consisting of neopentyl glycol and pentaerythritol, and wherein the monocarboxylic acid is selected from the group consisting of valeric acid, isovaleric acid, hexanoic acid, isohexanoic acid, heptanoic acid, isohexanoic acid, octanoic acid, isooctanoic acid, nonanoic acid, isononanoic acid, decanoic acid, isodecanic acid, dodecanoic acid, isodecanoic acid, myristic acid, isomyristic acid, palmitic acid, isopalmitic acid, stearic acid, isostearic acid, oleic acid and their corresponding isomers.

9. The fluid formulation according to claim 1, wherein the additive is selected from the group consisting of: anti-friction additives, anti-wear additives, extreme pressure additives, antioxidants, corrosion inhibitors, yellow metal passivators, dispersants, detergents, defoamers, sealing swelling agents, solubility enhancers, dyes, and combinations thereof.

10. The fluid formulation of claim 1, wherein the fluid formulation comprises 0-15 wt.% of the additive, and wherein the additive is selected from the group consisting of: HiTEC 3491K, HiTEC 5769, HiTEC 35750, HiTEC 2571, HiTEC 4780, other equivalent additives and combinations thereof.

11. The fluid formulation according to claim 1 further includes a viscosity index improver.

12. The fluid formulation of claim 11, wherein the fluid formulation comprises 0-6 wt.% of the viscosity index improver.

13. The fluid formulation according to claim 11, wherein the viscosity index improver has a viscosity of 100-2000 cSt at 100°C.

14. The fluid formulation according to claim 1 further includes a high-viscosity base oil.

15. The fluid formulation of claim 14, wherein the fluid formulation comprises 0-40 wt.% of the high viscosity base oil, and wherein the high viscosity base oil is selected from the group consisting of oligomers of C6, C8, C10, C12, C14 and C16 monomers, and / or complex esters.

16. The fluid formulation according to claim 14, wherein the high viscosity base oil has a viscosity of 40-1200 cSt at 100°C.

17. The fluid formulation of claim 1, wherein the fluid formulation comprises: Sulfur content from 0 to 2000 ppm by mass, phosphorus content from 0 to 300 ppm by mass, calcium content from 0 to 150 ppm by mass, boron content from 0 to 100 ppm by mass, silicon content from 0 to 20 ppm by mass, and nitrogen content from 0 to 1200 ppm by mass.

18. The fluid formulation according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary base oil has a higher viscosity coefficient than the primary base oil.

19. A vehicle drive unit, comprising: motor; The motor fluid system is in fluid communication with the motor. gearbox; A transmission fluid system in fluid communication with the transmission, wherein the transmission fluid system comprises the fluid formulation of claim 1.

20. The vehicle drive unit of claim 19, wherein the transmission fluid system is configured to pump fluid at a rate of 1-20 LPM via a mechanical or electric oil pump.

21. The vehicle drive unit of claim 19, wherein the motor fluid system is in fluid communication with the transmission fluid system.

22. The vehicle drive unit of claim 19, wherein the motor fluid system comprises a low-viscosity motor fluid.

23. The vehicle drive unit of claim 19, wherein the motor fluid system comprises the fluid formulation.

24. The vehicle drive unit of claim 19, wherein the motor is an electric motor.

25. A vehicle comprising the vehicle drive unit of claim 19.

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