Controlled release of additive gel(s) for functional fluids

Abstract

The invention provides a method of lubricating containing: (a) employing a first functional fluid, (b) adding or contacting the first functional fluid with a controlled release gel wherein the controlled release gel has the desired additives to be released imparting the desired properties into the first functional fluid which is for lubricating a mechanical device; and/or adding a delivery system with the desired additives for a second functional fluid; (c) releasing the desired additives from the delivery system into the first functional fluid resulting in the first functional fluid changing into a second functional fluid, with the proviso that the second functional fluid is different from the first functional fluid.

1 . A method of lubricating comprising: 
 (a) employing a first functional fluid, wherein the first functional fluid is selected from the group consisting of an oil of lubricating viscosity, a gear oil including automotive and/or industrial, a manual transmission oil, an automatic transmission oil, a hydraulic fluid, an engine oil, a two cycle oil, a metalworking fluid and an axle fluid;    (b) contacting the first functional fluid with a delivery system wherein the delivery system has the desired additives to be released imparting the desired properties into the first functional fluid which is for lubricating a mechanical device;    (c) releasing the desired additives from the delivery system into the first functional fluid resulting in the first functional fluid changing into a second functional fluid selected from the group consisting of a gear oil, a manual transmission oil, an automatic transmission oil, a hydraulic fluid, an engine oil, a two cycle oil, a metalworking fluid and an axle fluid, with the proviso that the second functional fluid is different from the first functional fluid.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the delivery system comprises at least one of a liquids, solids, controlled release additive gel, capsules (for example melamine or urea formaldehyde microencapsulation polymers), linear low density polyolefin bags, perforated sheets, baffles, injectors, polymers which are oil-permeable at elevated temperatures, particles which are oil-insoluble but oil wettable, oil-soluble solid polymers capable of functioning as viscosity improvers, or mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the delivery system comprises a controlled release additive gel.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and/or second functional fluid comprises an antiwear/EP agent present from about 0.1 wt % to about 5 wt %.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the controlled release gel composition comprises 
 i.) at least two additives selected from the group comprising detergents, dispersants, acids, bases, over based detergent, succinated polyolefins or mixtures thereof wherein the selected additives when combined form a gel;    ii.) optionally at least one additive comprising viscosity modifier(s), friction modifier(s), detergent(s), cloud point depressant(s), pour point depressant(s), demulsifier(s), flow improver(s), anti static agent(s), dispersant(s), antioxidant(s), antifoam(s), corrosion/rust inhibitor(s), extreme pressure/antiwear agent(s), seal swell agent(s), lubricity aid(s), antimisting agent(s), or mixtures thereof;    resulting in a controlled release gel that over time releases at least one desired additive into a functional fluid when the gel is contacted with the functional fluid.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the controlled release gel composition has a ratio of detergent to dispersant is from about 10:1 to about 1:10 and the detergent is an over based detergent having a TBN of at least 200.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the dispersant is selected from the group consisting of ashless type dispersants, polymeric dispersants, Mannich dispersants, carboxylic dispersants, amine dispersants, high molecular weight esters, esterified maleic anhydride styrene copolymers, maleated ethylene diene monomer copolymers, surfactants, functionalized derivatives, and combinations thereof and where the dispersant is present in a range of about 0.01 wt. % to about 95% of the additive gel, and wherein the detergent is selected from the group consisting of over based sulfonates, phenates, salicylates, carboxylates, over based calcium sulfonate detergents, overbased detergents containing metals such as Mg, Ba, Sr, Na, C and K and mixtures thereof and wherein the detergents are in the range from about 0.01 wt. % to about 99% by wt. of the additive gel.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein component i) is present in the range from about 0.01 wt. % to about 95 wt. % of the additive gel and wherein component ii) is present in the range of about 0% to about 95% by wt. of the additive gel.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein optionally at least one other component can be added to the additive gel composition which is selected from the group consisting of base stock oils, inert carriers, dyes, bacteriostatic agents, solid particulate additives and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the gel comprises an over based detergent, a succinimide dispersant and an anti-foam agent resulting in a controlled release gel that over time releases an antifoam additive into the functional fluid so as to reduce the foaming tendency and to improve stability of the fluid.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the gel comprises an over based detergent, a succinimide dispersant, an ashless anti-oxidant and a polysuccinated polyolefin resulting in a controlled release gel that over time releases an antioxidant additive into the functional fluid of an engine.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 3  comprising an over based detergent, a succinimide dispersant, a friction modifier and a polysuccinated polyolefin resulting in a controlled release gel that over time releases the friction modifier into the functional fluid so as to reduce the coefficient friction between metal parts.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising an antiwear agent/extreme pressure agent.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the antiwear agent/extreme pressure agent comprises an amine salt of a phosphorus ester acid.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the phosphorus ester acid is selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid esters and salts thereof; dialkyldithiophosphoric acid esters and salts thereof; phosphites; and phosphorus-containing carboxylic esters, ethers, and amides; and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first functional fluid is a manual transmission fluid; and wherein the second functional fluid is an axle fluid.  
     
     
         17 . A method for lubricating a mechanical device comprising: 
 (a) employing one or more delivery systems, wherein the delivery systems may be the same, similar, different or combinations thereof and wherein the composition of the delivery systems depends on the desired additives to be added into a first functional fluid or to change the first functional fluid into a second functional fluid;    (b) contacting the first functional fluid with one or more delivery systems wherein the functional fluid may be of more than one type, and wherein the delivery systems comprises at least one additive comprising detergents, dispersants, acids, bases, over based detergent, succinated polyolefins, viscosity modifier(s), friction modifier(s), detergent(s), cloud point depressant(s), pour point depressant(s), demulsifier(s), flow improver(s), anti static agent(s), dispersant(s), antioxidant(s), antifoam(s), corrosion/rust inhibitor(s), extreme pressure/antiwear agent(s), seal swell agent(s), lubricity aid(s), antimisting agent(s), or mixtures thereof; resulting in changing the first functional fluid into the second functional fluid when the delivery systems are contacted with the first functional fluid.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the delivery systems comprise a controlled release additive gel.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the controlled release gel composition comprises 
 i.) at least two additives selected from the group comprising detergents, dispersants, acids, bases, over based detergent, succinated polyolefins or mixtures thereof wherein the selected additives when combined form a gel;    ii.) optionally at least one additive comprising viscosity modifier(s), friction modifier(s), detergent(s), cloud point depressant(s), pour point depressant(s), demulsifier(s), flow improver(s), anti static agent(s), dispersant(s), antioxidant(s), antifoam(s), corrosion/rust inhibitor(s), extreme pressure/antiwear agent(s), seal swell agent(s), lubricity aid(s), antimisting agent(s), or mixtures thereof;    resulting in a controlled release gel that over time releases at least one desired additive into a functional fluid when the gel is contacted with the functional fluid.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the mechanical device comprises one first functional fluid contacting multiple delivery systems resulting in changing the first functional fluid into multiple second functional fluids.