Organic Polymeric Friction Reducing Additive for Engine Oil
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current commercial friction reducing additives in engine oils, such as glycerol monooleate and oleylamide, are not effective in meeting the stringent fuel economy and longevity requirements of newer engine oil specifications like GF-4 and GF-5, and they are susceptible to oxidative breakdown and compatibility issues with base oils.
Innovation Solution
A non-aqueous lubricating oil comprising a base stock and an organic polymeric friction reducing additive with a molecular weight ranging from 1000 to 30,000 Daltons, formed by reacting a hydrophobic polymeric subunit with a hydrophilic polymeric subunit, a backbone moiety, and a chain terminating group, providing enhanced stability and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If current commercial friction reducing additives (glycerol monooleate, oleylamide) are used, then initial fuel economy requirements can be met, but fuel economy longevity deteriorates due to oxidative breakdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of friction reducing additives by developing polymeric compounds with specific molecular weights (1000-30,000 Daltons), functional group compositions, and architectural features (linear, branched, cyclic) to achieve both fuel economy and oxidative stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite friction reducing additives by combining multiple functional groups (carboxylic acid, amide, ester, ether, hydroxyl) within single polymeric molecules, and by blending different polymeric additives to achieve synergistic effects that provide both fuel economy improvement and oxidation resistance
2Use of energy by moving object
If higher dose levels of friction modifier are used to meet stringent fuel economy requirements, then fuel economy improves, but emulsion stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the molecular weight parameter (1000-30,000 Daltons) and functional group composition of polymeric friction reducing additives to achieve effective friction reduction at lower dose levels (0.1-5 wt%), thereby avoiding emulsion instability issues associated with high concentrations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces specific functional groups (carboxylic acid, amide, ester, ether, hydroxyl) at specific locations within the polymeric structure to provide localized friction reduction capability, allowing lower overall additive concentrations while maintaining effectiveness
3Force
If friction reducing additives are selected for boundary regime performance, then boundary friction improves, but compatibility with base oils deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs polymeric friction reducing additives with multiple functional groups (carboxylic acid, amide, ester, ether, hydroxyl) that can interact with different base oil types (Group III, IV, V) and provide both boundary friction reduction and compatibility, making the additive universally applicable across different oil formulations
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 organic polymeric friction reducing additives exhibit improved fuel economy, longevity, oxidative stability, and film thickness coverage at low speeds, and are stable at high dose levels, outperforming current commercial additives in engine oil formulations.
Implementation Method 1
Boundary losses can be improved by careful selection of friction reducing additive
Implementation Method 2
The organic polymeric friction reducing additives exhibit improved fuel economy, longevity, oxidative stability, and film thickness coverage at low speeds
Data Source
AI summary
An automotive engine oil and/or fuel comprising a base stock and an organic polymeric friction reducing additive is claimed. A method of reducing friction in an automotive engine oil and/or fuel by the addition of the organic polymeric friction reducing additive to the base stock is also claimed.