Enhanced Lubricant Formulation

Abstract

An enhanced lubricant formulation is provided as a formulation that improves upon existing lubricant systems by enhancing the tribological properties. The formulation utilizes inorganic fullerene-like tungsten disulfide (IF-WS 2 ) nanoparticles combined with an existing lubricant to reduce friction and recondition the interfacing surfaces of moving parts. The IF-WS 2 nanoparticles are uniform symmetrical and spherical structure that provides a rolling effect between two interfacing surfaces. The IF-WS 2 nanoparticles additionally exfoliate portions of their lamellar exterior as a tribological film that reduces the surface roughness on interfacing surfaces resulting in a decrease in friction. The formulation reduces the requirement for frequent replacement of the lubricant and additionally provides improved performance under conditions of extreme temperature and pressure.

What it is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An enhanced lubricant formulation comprises:
 a host lubricant;   inorganic fullerene-like nanoparticles of tungsten disulfide (IF-WS 2 );   the IF-WS 2  nanoparticles being suspended throughout the host lubricant;   the IF-WS 2  nanoparticles having an average particle size diameter between 10-30 nm;   the IF-WS 2  nanoparticles comprise as multilayered exterior;   the multilayered exterior comprises a plurality of lamellae; and   the plurality of lamellae being separable under conditions of stress, wherein the separated lamellae form a tribological film.   
     
     
         2 . The enhanced lubricant formulation in  claim 1  wherein, the IF-WS 2  nanoparticles having an average particle size diameter about 10 nm. 
     
     
         3 . The enhanced lubricant formulation in  claim 1  wherein, the IF-WS 2  nanoparticles being about 0.5% to 7.0% (v/v) in the formulation. 
     
     
         4 . The enhanced lubricant formulations as claimed in  claim 1  comprises:
 a carrier fluid, wherein the carrier fluid is a mineral oil; 
 the host lubricant being an engine oil; 
 the IF-WS 2  nanoparticles and the carrier fluid being blended with the engine oil; 
 the carrier fluid being equivalent in volume to the IF-WS 2 . 
 
     
     
         5 . The enhanced lubricant formulation in  claim 4  wherein, the IF-WS 2  nanoparticles being about 3.1% (v/v) in an additive formulation. 
     
     
         6 . The enhanced lubricant formulation in  claim 4  wherein, the IF-WS 2  nanoparticles being about 0.8% (v/v) in an engine oil replacement formulation. 
     
     
         7 . The enhanced lubricant formulations in  claim 1  wherein, the base lubricant is a Lithium based grease. 
     
     
         8 . The enhanced lubricant formulation in  claim 7  wherein the IF-WS 2  nanoparticles being 6.0% (v/v) in a grease formulation. 
     
     
         9 . An enhanced lubricant formulation comprises:
 a host lubricant;   inorganic fullerene-like nanoparticles of tungsten disulfide (IF-WS 2 );   the IF-WS 2  nanoparticles being suspended throughout the host lubricant;   the IF-WS 2  nanoparticles having an average particle size diameter about 10 nm;   the IF-WS 2  nanoparticles comprise as multilayered exterior;   The multilayered exterior comprises a plurality of lamellae;   the plurality of lamellae being separable under conditions of stress, wherein the separated lamellae form a tribological film; and   the IF-WS 2  nanoparticles being about 0.5% to 7.0% (v/v) in the host lubricant.   
     
     
         10 . The enhanced lubricant formulations as claimed in  claim 9  comprises:
 a carrier fluid, wherein the carrier fluid is a mineral oil; 
 the host lubricant being an engine oil; 
 the IF-WS 2  nanoparticles and the carrier fluid being blended with the engine oil; and 
 the carrier fluid being equivalent in volume to the IF-WS 2 . 
 
     
     
         11 . The enhanced lubricant formulation in  claim 10  wherein, the IF-WS 2  nanoparticles being about 3.1% (v/v) in an additive formulation. 
     
     
         12 . The enhanced lubricant formulation in  claim 10  wherein, the IF-WS 2  nanoparticles being about 0.8% (v/v) in an engine oil replacement formulation. 
     
     
         13 . The enhanced lubricant formulations in  claim 9  wherein, the base lubricant is a lithium grease. 
     
     
         14 . The enhanced lubricant formulation in  claim 13  wherein the IF-WS 2  nanoparticles being 6.0% (v/v) in a grease formulation.