Polyphosphorus Anti-Wear Additives for Non-Neurotoxic Aviation Oils

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current anti-wear additives like tricresyl phosphate and its tri-arylphosphate analogues pose neurotoxic and reprotoxic risks, necessitating the development of alternative additives that offer both effective anti-wear properties and safety in aviation and aero-derived applications.

Innovation Solution

Polyphosphorus compounds, specifically aryl polyphosphorus compounds with certain structural features, are used as anti-wear additives in oils for aircraft and aero-derivative turbines, demonstrating reduced neurotoxicity and reprotoxicity while maintaining anti-wear effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If tricresyl phosphate and its tri-arylphosphate analogues are used as anti-wear additives, then effective anti-wear properties are achieved, but neurotoxic and reprotoxic risks occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-wear performanceVSAvoidneurotoxicity and reprotoxicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical structure of anti-wear additives from conventional organophosphates (tricresyl phosphate) to polyphosphorus compounds with specific molecular configurations. This structural parameter change eliminates neurotoxic and reprotoxic properties while preserving anti-wear effectiveness, directly resolving the contradiction between performance and safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces alternative polyphosphorus compounds that serve as disposable substitutes for toxic organophosphate additives. These alternative compounds provide the necessary anti-wear function without the harmful long-term effects, allowing safe replacement of problematic substances

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If alternative anti-wear additives are developed to replace tricresyl phosphate, then neurotoxicity is reduced, but anti-wear effectiveness may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveneurotoxicity reductionVSAvoidanti-wear effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent systematically varies molecular parameters of polyphosphorus compounds (such as the nature of R1-R4 groups, the divalent group A, and the integer n) to optimize both safety and anti-wear performance. This parameter optimization ensures that neurotoxicity is eliminated while anti-wear effectiveness is maintained or improved

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite molecular structures combining phosphorus atoms with various organic groups (alkyl, aryl, O-alkyl, O-aryl) to create polyphosphorus compounds that exhibit both non-toxicity and superior anti-wear properties. The composite nature of these molecules allows simultaneous achievement of safety and performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3938478B1Use of oils comprising non-neurotoxic Anti-wear additives
Publication Date: 2023.01.18 NYCO CO LTD
  • EP3938478B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3938478B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3938478B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to the use of at least one anti-wear additive in an oil, said anti-wear additive comprising at least one polyphosphoric compound for reducing and/or preventing the neurotoxicity of said oil or for prophylaxis against aerotoxic syndrome, especially in the instance of a smoke event.