Method for improving the cooling efficiency of a functional fluid

Abstract

A method is disclosed for improving the cooling of equipment lubricated by functional fluids, such as power train fluids, by lubricating the equipment with a functional fluid comprising a wax isomerate or hydrodewaxate base stock and at least one performance additive thus permitting a reduction in the volume of lubricant used and a concomitant reduction in the size of the lubricant reservoir and related equipment.

1 . A method for enhancing the cooling properties of functional fluid oil containing a base oil by at least 2.5% or more as compared to a functional fluid comprising PAO by using as all or a part of the base oil a Gas-to-liquid (GTL) base stock and/or base oil. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the enhancement of cooling properties ranges from about 3 to 20% compared to PAO. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  or  2  wherein the GTL base stock and/or base oil constitutes about 30 to 100% of the base stock of the functional fluid. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  or  2  wherein the GTL base stock and/or base oil has a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. in the range of about 3 to 50 mm 2 /s. 
     
     
         5 . A method for reducing the amount of functional fluid containing a base oil or base stock used in an apparatus by at least about 2.5% or more as compared to the amount of functional fluid used when the functional fluid is a PAO based functional fluid by employing a Gas-to-liquids base stock and/or base oil as from about 30 to 100% of the base oil. 
     
     
         6 . A method for reducing the size of an apparatus lubricated with a functional fluid containing a base stock or base oil by at least about 2.5% or more as compared to the size of the apparatus when using a PAO based functional fluid by employing a Gas-to-liquids base stock and/or base oil as from about 30 to 100% of the base oil or base stock in the functional fluid. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the amount of functional fluid used to lubricate the apparatus is reduced by about 3 to 20%. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the size of the apparatus lubricated by the functional fluid is reduced by about 3 to 20%. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5  or  7  wherein the functional fluid comprises about 30 to 100% GTL as base stock and/or base oil. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 5  or  7  wherein the GTL base stock and/or base oil has a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. in the range of about 3 to 50 mm 2 /s. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6  or  8  wherein the functional fluid comprises about 30 to 100% GTL as base stock and/or base oil. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6  or  8  wherein the GTL base stock and/or base oil has a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. in the range of about 3 to 50 mm 2 /s.