Borate-Free Brake Fluid Composition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current borate-based brake fluids face health risks due to boric acid's toxicity and potential gel formation, leading to performance limitations, especially at low temperatures, and fail to meet stringent viscosity and boiling point requirements without being borate-free.
Innovation Solution
A functional fluid composition comprising a mixture of alkoxy glycols, specifically methyl-terminated polyglycols, ethylene glycol monoalkyl ethers, and additives like corrosion inhibitors, with a restricted content of boric acid esters, achieving low viscosity, high boiling points, and improved stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If borate esters are used to achieve high boiling points, then the equilibrium reflux boiling point and wet equilibrium reflux boiling point are improved, but the fluid viscosity increases and gel formation risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using alternative base stocks (polyalphaolefins, esters, alkyl benzenes) instead of borate esters, and adjusts additive packages to achieve the required boiling points without borate-based compounds, thereby eliminating gel formation while maintaining thermal performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes borate esters from the brake fluid composition entirely, eliminating the source of gel formation while compensating for the lost high-temperature performance through alternative base stocks and additive systems
2Temperature
If borate esters are used to meet DOT 4 and DOT 5.1 criteria, then the wet boiling point is improved, but health risks increase due to boric acid toxicity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent completely removes borate esters from the composition, eliminating boric acid and its toxic effects, while maintaining wet boiling point requirements through alternative high-performance base stocks and additive packages
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs alternative base stocks and additive systems that provide the necessary thermal performance without the long-term health hazards of borates, creating a safer but potentially less stable chemical system that requires careful formulation
3Stability of the object's composition
If the fluid viscosity is reduced for low temperature operation, then the low temperature kinematic viscosity is improved, but the boiling point performance may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular structure parameters of the base stock (using polyalphaolefins with specific chain lengths and branching, esters with controlled molecular weights) to achieve low viscosity at operating temperatures while maintaining high thermal stability and boiling points through careful molecular design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite fluid system combining multiple base stocks (polyalphaolefins, esters, alkyl benzenes) and additive packages that work synergistically to provide both low-temperature fluidity and high-temperature thermal performance that neither component could achieve alone
4Temperature
If boron content is increased to improve boiling point performance, then the thermal stability is improved, but particle formation increases limiting performance in critical situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes boron-containing compounds from the formulation, eliminating the source of inorganic salt precipitation and particle formation, while achieving thermal stability through alternative chemistries based on oxygen-containing functional groups and stable hydrocarbon structures
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a functional fluid, comprising: (A) from 50 to 85 wt.-% of alkoxy glycol according to formula (I): CH3—O—(CH2—CH2—O)n—H, wherein n is a number from 2 to 5, with the proviso that in at least 30 wt.-% of all compounds according to formula (I), n is 3, and (B) from 1 to 20 wt.-% of alkoxy glycol according to formula (II): R1—O—(CH2—CH2—O)m—H, wherein R1 is a C2 to C8 alkyl residue, m is a number from 2 to 6, with the proviso that in at least 65 wt.-% of all compounds according to formula (II), m is 3, and (C) from 6 to 35 wt.-% of at least one compound according to formula (III): H—O—(CH2—CH2—O)k—H, wherein k is a number of 2 or higher, with the proviso that in at least 80 wt.-% of all compounds according to formula (III), k is 2 or 3, (D) at least one additive.