Friction modifiers for engine oil composition

• US 7,022,653 B2
• Filed: 03/10/2003
• Issued: 04/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Infineum International Limited (Infineum)
• Original Assignee: Infineum International Limited (Infineum)
• Inventors: Harris, Steve, Hartley, Rolfe J., Hoey, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): McAvoy, Ellen M.
• Application Number:
  US10/385,312
• Publication Number:
  US 20040180798A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,121 Days
• Field of Search: 508/476, 508/500, 508/364
• US Class Current: 508/364
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 141/08 at least one of them being an organic sulfur-, selenium- or tellurium-containing compound
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 159/12 Reaction products
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 163/00 Lubricating compositions characterised by the additive being a mixture of a compound of unknown or incompletely defined constitution and a non-macromolecular compound, each of these compounds being essential
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2207/126 monocarboxylic
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2215/042 containing hydroxy groups; Alkoxylated derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2219/068 Thiocarbamate metal salts
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2227/09 Complexes with metals
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2010/12 Groups 6 or 16
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2030/06 Oiliness; Film-strength; Anti-wear; Resistance to extreme pressure
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2030/54 Fuel economy
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2030/74 Noack Volatility

Abstract

A lubricating oil composition which exhibits improved fuel economy and fuel economy retention which contains a mono-, di- or triester of a tertiary hydroxyl amine and a fatty acid as a friction modifying fuel economy additive.

Claims

1. A lubricating oil composition which comprises an oil of lubricating viscosity and, as a friction modifying fuel economy additive, an effective amount of ester formed as the reaction product of (i) a tertiary amine of the formula R₁R₂R₃N wherein R_1, R₂ and R₃ represent aliphatic hydrocarbyl groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, at least one of R_1, R₂ and R₃ having a hydroxyl group with (ii) a saturated or unsaturated fatty acid having 10 to 30 carbon atoms wherein the ester is a mixture of mono-, di and tri-esters, the mixture comprising about 30–

60 wt. % diester, 10–

40 wt. % monoester and 10–

40 wt. % triester and wherein each of R_1, R₂ and R₃ is a C₂–

C₄ hydroxyalkyl group.

2. The composition of claim 1 wherein at least one of R₁R₂ and R₃ is an alkyl group.

3. The composition of claim 1 which has not more than 0.08 wt. % P and a NOACK volatility less than 15 wt.%.

4. The composition of claim 1 wherein there is present 0.05 to 2.0 wt. % of the ester.

5. The composition of claim 1 wherein the tertiary amine is triethanolamine.

6. The composition of claim 1 wherein the fatty acid has 16 to 22 carbon atoms.

7. The composition of claim 1 wherein the fatty acid is tallow fatty acid.

8. The composition of claim 1 further comprising an organo-molybdenum additive in an amount providing 25 to 1000 ppm molybdenum in the composition.

9. The composition of claim 8 wherein there is present 25 to 100 ppm molybdenum.

10. The composition of claim 9 wherein the organo-molybdenum additive is a trinuclear molybdenum dithiocarbamate.