Ashless Lubricating Oil Composition for Engine Fuel Economy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current strategies for friction reduction in low ash lubricating oil compositions for internal combustion engines do not adequately meet the increasing fuel economy targets set by Original Equipment Manufacturers, with molybdenum friction modifiers outperforming ashless modifiers in the boundary regime, necessitating further improvement in the friction-reducing performance of polyol ester friction modifiers like glycerol monooleate.
Innovation Solution
A lubricating oil composition comprising glycerol esters such as glycerol monooleate and/or glycerol dioleate, in combination with dispersant-viscosity index improver compounds and additional polyhydric alcohol esters like trimethylolpropane esters, to enhance friction reduction and fuel economy, with specific ranges for their concentrations in the composition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If molybdenum friction modifiers are used to achieve low friction and improved fuel economy, then friction reduction performance is improved, but ash content increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing molybdenum-based friction modifiers with ashless organic friction modifiers comprising esters of fatty acids and polyhydric alcohols, fatty acid amides, amines derived from fatty acids, and organic dithiocarbamate or dithiophosphate compounds. This parameter change maintains friction reduction performance while eliminating ash formation, resolving the contradiction between fuel economy improvement and ash content control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite friction modifier systems combining multiple ashless organic compounds working synergistically. The combination includes esters of fatty acids and polyhydric alcohols, fatty acid amides, and other organic compounds that collectively provide effective friction reduction without the ash-forming characteristics of metal-containing modifiers, thus achieving both low friction and low ash content
2Loss of substance
If ashless friction modifiers are used to maintain low ash content, then ash content is controlled, but friction reduction performance deteriorates compared to metal-containing modifiers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the molecular structure and chemical composition parameters of ashless friction modifiers by selecting specific compounds with appropriate chain lengths, functional groups, and molecular weights. This parameter optimization enhances the boundary lubrication capability of ashless modifiers, enabling them to achieve friction reduction performance comparable to or exceeding that of metal-containing modifiers while maintaining low ash content
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates synergistic composite systems combining multiple ashless friction modifier types. The interaction between different compound classes (esters, amides, amines, dithiocarbamates) produces enhanced friction reduction effects that overcome the limitations of individual ashless compounds, achieving performance parity with metal-containing modifiers without ash formation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composition achieves significant friction reduction and improved fuel economy, outperforming conventional combinations and demonstrating synergistic effects in friction reduction, as evidenced by lower friction coefficients in testing under various load and temperature conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Friction-reducing additives (which are also known as friction modifiers) are important lubricant components in reducing fuel consumption
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A lubricating oil composition comprising base oil, one or more glycerol esters selected from glycerol monooleate and/or glycerol dioleate, optionally in combination with glycerol trioleate, wherein said composition further comprises one or more dispersant- viscosity index improver compounds and an additive amount of one or more additional polyhydric alcohol esters; and a method of lubricating an internal combustion engine comprising applying said lubricating oil composition thereto.