Compositions and methods for lubricating engine components

A lubricant oil with varying molecular weights maintains evaporated portions above flammability limits, addressing auto-ignition issues in combustion engines, enhancing engine durability and performance.

US20260055334A1Pending Publication Date: 2026-02-26CATERPILLAR INC
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Patent Information

Application Number
US19/285577
Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Applications(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2024-08-23
Filing Date
2025-07-30
Publication Date
2026-02-26

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing lubricant oils in combustion engines degrade and enter the combustion chamber, leading to potential auto-ignition and damage due to their chemical alteration under high temperature and pressure conditions, which is not addressed by existing systems with low evaporation loss rates.

Method used

A lubricant oil composition comprising carbon molecules with varying molecular weights within a narrow range, maintaining a specific evaporation rate deviation to keep evaporated portions above their respective flammability limits under engine conditions, thereby reducing the probability of auto-ignition.

Benefits of technology

The lubricant oil composition effectively maintains evaporated components above their flammability limits, reducing the risk of auto-ignition and engine damage, thus extending the engine's lifespan and performance.

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Abstract

A lubricant oil, the use of a lubricant oil as an additive, and a method of lubricating parts in an engine are described herein. The lubricant oil is characterized as having one or more components with each of the components having a minimum evaporation rate when experiencing conditions within a combustion cylinder of the engine. The minimum evaporation rate is configured so that when at least a portion of the lubricant oil evaporates in combustion cylinder and locally mixes with the air fuel mixture around it, the concentration of the combustible components in that mixture is greater than the net upper flammability limit of the particular components of the combustible mixture. Thus, in some examples, when the pressure and / or temperature of the combustion cylinder volume are increased, such as during a compression cycle, the probability of a portion of the lubricant oil combusting or auto-igniting is preferably decreased.
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