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  Fluid lubricantUSPTO Application #: 20060105926Title: Fluid lubricant Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid lubricant for use in transmission of power in tractive drives. More particularly, the invention is related to a mixture of a hydrocarbon with non-aromatic cyclic moieties, a polyalphaolefin, and performance additives. (end of abstract)
Agent: Polsinelli Shalton Welte Suelthaus P.C. - Kansas City, MO, US Inventor: Sibtain Hamid USPTO Applicaton #: 20060105926 - Class: 508591000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Solid Anti-friction Devices, Materials Therefor, Lubricant Or Separant Compositions For Moving Solid Surfaces, And Miscellaneous Mineral Oil Compositions, Lubricants Or Separants For Moving Solid Surfaces And Miscellaneous Mineral Oil Compositions (e.g., Water Containing, Etc.), Solid Hydrocarbon Polymer The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060105926. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a fluid lubricant particularly adapted for use as a lubricant in tractive drives. More particularly, the invention is related to a fluid formed from a mixture of an alpha-methyl styrene and a polyalphaolefin. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0002] A conventional tractive drive or friction drive device is composed of at least two relatively rotatable members in a torque transmitting relationship. Torque (power) is transmitted from an input element to an output element through a nominal point or line contact, typically with a rolling action, by virtue of the traction from the proximal contact between the elements. The contact between the elements provides a means to transfer power from one source to a secondary element. Tractive drives can be used in automotive or industrial machinery to transmit power between rotating members. In particular, tractive drive devices are suited for use in transmissions and more particularly for continuous variable transmissions (CVT). [0003] Tractive drive elements are in proximal contact, but do not actually touch. It is generally known in the industry that a fluid film is provided between the elements. If the elements did contact, friction between the elements will generate heat and cause increased wear on the elements, leading to a degradation of the tractive drive. Lubricants are used to prevent the metal to metal contact and decrease the wear on the tractive elements. Thus, instead of metal to metal, or metal to rubber contact, a film of fluid is intermediate the contact points. The fluid functions to remove heat, prevent wear at the contact surface, lubricate the contacting elements and moving parts, and facilitate the transfer of torque. The fluid to a large extent determines the environment in which the tractive drive device operates. In particular, the fluid reduces heat and friction, and functions to increase the traction coefficient of the tractive elements thereby increasing the transfer of power. [0004] Desired characteristics for fluid lubricants that increase the performance of the tractive drive device are high shear resistance, low viscosity over a wide temperature range specifically at low temperatures, and good lubricating properties. High shear resistance is measured as the traction coefficient and is important for maximizing the power transmission between elements. A fluid with a high traction coefficient facilitates the maximum amount of torque between elements, resulting in minimal torque reduction due to slipping of the tractive drive. In addition, good lubricating characteristics ensure that heat is removed and that the contact surfaces are lubricated to minimize wear of the tractive device. [0005] Conventional fluid lubricants include naturally occurring oils of mineral origin, synthetic based lubricants, and combinations thereof. It is well known, however, that these fluids do not possess the characteristics, which enable them to perform satisfactorily in demanding applications, such as conditions that are typically associated with chain and belt CVT. Conventional fluid lubricants lack a high traction coefficient while still maintaining a low viscosity over a wide temperature range and in particular at low temperatures, such as -40.degree. C. Traditionally, the fluid lubricant either functions with a high traction coefficient over a narrow temperature range, or the fluid lubricant is used over a wide temperature range, but with a low traction coefficient. To increase the performance of conventional fluid lubricants varying amounts of other materials are added to these fluids. As a result of the increased performance requirements imposed on these fluid lubricants it has become difficult to find additives which increase the performance properties of the fluid lubricant, but do not cause other problems, such as limiting the temperature range of operation, increased corrosion, or a lowered traction coefficient. [0006] Conventional fluid lubricants contain varying amounts of components that when in use will cause excessive foaming. Low foaming is desired in a fluid lubricant because minimal foaming ensures optimum coating of the traction gears. To combat foaming of the fluid, defoamers are required in varying amounts typically between 5 ppm to 100 ppm (parts per million). The required defoamers decrease the effectiveness of conventional fluid lubricants because over time the defoamers lose the ability to decrease foaming. Defoamers found in conventional fluid lubricants lose effectiveness due to settling, oxidation, or shearing, which cause the fluid lubricant to foam during use. Additionally, conventional fluid lubricants do not reduce the noise associated with traction gears. [0007] It is therefore desirable to have a fluid for use in chain and belt CVT with properties such as: 1) a high coefficient of traction; 2) a low viscosity over a wide temperature range; 3) good phase stability at a low temperature; 4) noncorrosive to common materials of construction; 5) low foaming; 6) noise reduction; and, 7) good load bearing and low wear rate properties. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0008] The present invention relates to a fluid lubricant for use in transmission of power. The fluid lubricant is a liquid lubricant that includes a base fluid and performance additives. The base fluid includes a low-temperature control agent and a traction component. The low-temperature control agent is preferably an oligomer or polymer of linear dimers of hydrogenated alphaolefins. The low-temperature control agent is included to ensure viscosity of the fluid lubricant remains low over a wide temperature range and in particular a low viscosity at temperatures of -40.degree. C. or less. The traction component is a hydrocarbon with non-aromatic cyclic moieties and preferably a linear dimer of alpha-methyl styrene. The traction component is particularly suited for use in fluid lubricants because of its high traction coefficient. The performance additives are selected from the group consisting of friction modifiers, antioxidants, antiwear and extreme pressure additives, dispersants, metal deactivators, viscosity index improvers, defoamers, and mixtures thereof, in an amount sufficient to improve durability performance of the fluid lubricant. [0009] The present invention is formulated to produce a fluid lubricant that possesses a low viscosity over a wide temperature range, including temperatures at or below -40.degree. C., a high traction coefficient, increased noise reduction, decreased pressure, and low foaming. The above characteristics ensure that a fluid lubricant is formulated that will aide in peak performance of traction devices over diverse conditions. Specifically, the fluid's characteristics provide a fluid that will improve the performance of a belt or chain CVT by allowing the belt or chain CVT to operate with a high traction coefficient, over a wide temperature range. [0010] The present invention also relates to a method of using the fluid lubricant described above to lubricate power-transmitting apparatuses, such as chain or belt CVT. The fluid lubricant is used with a tractive drive device to increase torque transfer between the elements in a varying range of temperature environments under which tractive drive devices typically operate. Any amount of the fluid lubricant can be used with a tractive drive device so long as the device operates with a high traction coefficient over a wide temperature range. Preferably, the tractive device will function with a high traction coefficient at or below -40.degree. C. [0011] Further, the present invention relates to a method of using the fluid lubricant for numerous applications. Examples of potential uses include, but are not limited to, a canning lubricant, for high speed canning machines with gear systems operating at about 30,000 rpm, a wire rope lubricant for use in bridges and walkways, and as an elevator and lift lubricant. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0012] The present invention relates to a fluid lubricant and a method of using the lubricant. The fluid lubricant is particularly suited for use as a traction fluid. The fluid is composed of a base fluid and additional performance additives. The base fluid includes a mixture of a low-temperature viscosity control agent and a traction component. [0013] One component of the base fluid is a low-temperature viscosity control agent, hereafter referred to as "control agent". The control agent is a viscosity reducer that operates to lower the viscosity of the fluid lubricant. Viscosity is the measurement of flow resistance due to internal friction within the fluid, and is measured in centistrokes (cSt). A lower cSt measurement means the fluid will flow with less resistance, because of minimal molecular friction within the fluid. The lower the viscosity the faster the fluid will flow. High viscosity substances are liquids that are thick and gelatinous in nature with slow flow. Low viscosity substances exhibit a fast flow with an example being water at room temperature. The control agent is a material that will flow at temperatures at or below -40.degree. C., and also will lower the viscosity, and increase the flow rate, of fluids to which it is added. The low viscosity of the control agent ensures that the fluid lubricant coats the tractive drive elements and remains flowable over a wide temperature range. [0014] The control agent of the present invention is a material, which possesses a viscosity that allows the control agent to flow over a varied temperature range. The control agent will have a viscosity of less than or equal to 7.2 cSt at 100.degree. C. Preferably, the control agent is a material that possesses a viscosity of less than 6.0 cSt and more preferably 1.5 cSt to 2.5 cSt at 100.degree. C. [0015] Further, the control agent is a material that will retain mobility at low temperatures, such as -30.degree. C. to -40.degree. C. The control agent is a material that when added in sufficient quantity will meet or exceed the viscosity requirements for Dexron.RTM. III and Mercon.RTM. V specifications at -40.degree. C. Both Dexron.RTM. III and Mercon.RTM. V specifications require a viscosity of less than or equal to 20,000 cP (centipoises) at -40.degree.. (cP is a standard term used in the industry to define absolute viscosity for determining a fluids resistance to flow) Preferably, the control agent is a material that possesses a viscosity of less than 12,000 cP, and preferably between 250 cP and 2,500 cP at -40.degree. C. [0016] The control agent of the present invention includes either oligomers or polymers of linear alphaolefins. The linear alphaolefins contain between 10 and 60 carbon atoms, and preferably between 20 and 50 carbon atoms. Because the linear alphaolefin is preferably an "oligomer or polymer" it is a material with a low molecular weight. The linear alphaolefins possess a molecular weight range of between 200 and 1000. The molecular weight was estimated through carbon number distribution using gas chromatography or following ASTM D-2878 standards. Preferably, the linear alphaolefins possess a molecular weight range between 250 and 650. [0017] Preferably, the linear alphaolefins are hydrogenated, and contain a minimal amount of carbon atoms that are not saturated. The hydrogenated material will be substantially free of carbons that are not saturated, or will include a minimal amount of unsaturated carbons that do not measurably or significantly affect the control agent's performance. [0018] Polymers and oligomers of linear alphaolefins are commercially available from manufactures, such as Exxon Mobil.RTM. and Chevron-Philips.RTM.. Examples of commercially available linear alphaolefins include PAO 2 (viscosity of 2 cSt at 100.degree. C.), PAO 4 (viscosity of 4 cSt at 100.degree. C.), and PAO 6 (viscosity of 6 cSt at 100.degree. C.). The linear alphaolefins are produced in various viscosity grades, from 2 cSt to 100 cSt. Preferably, a viscosity grade of 8 cSt or lower is used with the current fluid lubricant. [0019] Optionally, the control agent can be any material known in the industry for use in lowering the viscosity of a fluid. Examples include naphthenic mineral oils, esters such as diisodecyl adipate (DIDA) and diisodecyl phthlates (DIDP), polyalkylene glycols, and combinations thereof. [0020] The control agent is added in an amount equal to at least 50% by weight of the base fluid. Preferably, the control agent comprises between 60% to 95% by weight of the base fluid, and more preferably between 60% to 80% by weight of the base fluid. Continue reading... Full patent description for Fluid lubricant Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Fluid lubricant patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Fluid lubricant or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Lubricating oil additive concentrates Next Patent Application: Colorant compositions Industry Class: Solid anti-friction devices, materials therefor, lubricant or separant compositions for moving solid surfaces, and miscellaneous mineral oil compositions ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Fluid lubricant patent info. 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