Functionalized nanosphere lubricants

• US 20080269086A1
• Filed: 04/30/2007
• Published: 10/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Adhvaryu, Atanu
• Application Number:
  US11/796,791
• Publication Number:
  US 20080269086A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 508/155
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 103/00 Lubricating compositions characterised by the base-material being an inorganic material containing more than 10% water C10M173/00
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 103/04 Metals; Alloys
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 103/06 Metal compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2201/053 used as base material
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2201/0613 used as base material
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2201/1006 used as base material
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2201/1053 used as base material
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2010/04 Groups 2 or 12
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2010/06 Groups 3 or 13
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2010/08 Groups 4 or 14
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2020/06 Particles of special shape or size
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2040/04 Oil-bath; Gear-boxes; Automatic transmissions; Traction drives
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2070/00 Specific manufacturing methods for lubricant compositions

Abstract

A method of making a lubricant is disclosed. The method includes providing a hard nanosphere having a size of less than about 500 nanometers. The method also includes exposing the nanosphere to a radiation energy to at least partially bond a functional agent to a surface of the nanosphere.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a lubricant comprising;

providing a hard nanosphere having a size of less than about 500 nanometers; and

exposing the nanosphere to a radiation energy to at least partially bond a functional agent to a surface of the nanosphere.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the radiation energy includes microwave energy.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the microwave energy has a wavelength in the range of about 30 cm to about 1 mm.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the nanosphere includes a ceramic material.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the ceramic material includes at least one of a single oxide, a carbide, a nitride, and an intermetallic.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the single oxide includes at least one of alumina, zirconia, titania, magnesium oxide, silica, mullite, and spinel.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the carbide includes at least one of silicon carbide, boron carbide, and titanium carbide.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the nitride includes at least one of boron nitride and silicon nitride.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the intermetallic includes at least one of nickel aluminide, titanium aluminide, and molybdenum disilicide.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the functional agent includes at least one material selected from a metal dithiophosphate, a metal dithiocarbamate, a metal sulfonate, a thiadiazole, a sulfurized terpene, an alkylamine, an alkyl amine phosphate, an alkenylsuccinic acid, a fatty acid, an acid phosphate ester, an alkyl sulfide, a polysulfide, a sulfurized fatty oil, a chlorinated fatty oil, a chlorinated paraffmic wax, an alkyl phosphite, an alkyl phosphate, an ashless dithiophosphate, a carboxylate, a metal triborate, a chlorinated wax, and a lead naphthenate.

11. The method of claim 1, further including mixing the nanosphere with a fluid, wherein the fluid includes at least one of a base oil and a fuel.

12. The method of claim 11, further including mixing the nanosphere with an additive.

13. A lubricant comprising;

a hard nanosphere having a dimension of less than about 500 nanometers; and

a functional agent at least partially bonded to a surface of the nanosphere by radiation energy.

14. The lubricant of claim 13, wherein radiation energy includes microwave energy.

15. The lubricant of claim 13, wherein the nanosphere includes a ceramic material.

16. The lubricant of claim 15, wherein the ceramic material includes at least one of a single oxide, a carbide, a nitride, and an intermetallic.

17. The lubricant of claim 13, further including a fluid, wherein the fluid includes at least one of a base oil and a fuel.

18. A lubricant comprising;

a base oil;

a lubricant additive; and

a ceramic nanosphere having a size less than about 500 nanometers and a functional agent at least partially bonded to a surface of the nanosphere by microwave energy.

19. The lubricant of claim 18, wherein the base oil includes at least one of an organic oil, a hydrocarbon based oil, and a synthetic liquid.

20. The lubricant of claim 18, wherein the lubricant additive includes an acid neutralizer, an antifoam agent, an antioxidant, an antirust agent, a corrosion inhibitor, a detergent, a dispersant, an emulsifier, an extreme pressure additive, an oiliness enhancer, a pour point depressant, a tackiness agent, and a viscosity index improver.