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 cylindrical lattice (ICL) nanoparticles combined with an existing lubricant to reduce friction and recondition the interfacing surfaces of moving parts. The ICL nanoparticles are symmetrical and cylindrical structure that provides a rolling effect between two interfacing surfaces. The ICL 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 cylindrical lattice (ICL) nanoparticles;   the ICL nanoparticles being suspended throughout the host lubricant;   the ICL nanoparticles having an average particle size diameter between 10-30 nm;   the ICL 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 ICL nanoparticles having an average particle size diameter about 10 nm. 
     
     
         3 . The enhanced lubricant formulation in  claim 1  wherein, the ICL 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 ICL nanoparticles and the carrier fluid being blended with the engine oil; 
 the carrier fluid being equivalent in volume to the ICL nanoparticles. 
 
     
     
         5 . The enhanced lubricant formulation in  claim 4  wherein, the ICL nanoparticles being about 3.1% (v/v) in an additive formulation. 
     
     
         6 . The enhanced lubricant formulation in  claim 4  wherein, the ICL 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 ICL nanoparticles being 6.0% (v/v) in a grease formulation. 
     
     
         9 . The enhanced lubricant formulation in  claim 1  wherein, the ICL nanoparticles being tungsten disulfide. 
     
     
         10 . The enhanced lubricant formulation in  claim 1  wherein, the ICL nanoparticles being carbon. 
     
     
         11 . An enhanced lubricant formulation comprises:
 a host lubricant;   inorganic cylindrical lattice (ICL) nanoparticles;   the ICL nanoparticles being suspended throughout the host lubricant;   the ICL nanoparticles having an average particle size diameter about 10 nm;   the ICL 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 ICL nanoparticles being about 0.5% to 7.0% (v/v) in the host lubricant.   
     
     
         12 . The enhanced lubricant formulations as claimed in  claim 11  comprises:
 a carrier fluid, wherein the carrier fluid is a mineral oil; 
 the host lubricant being an engine oil; 
 the ICL nanoparticles and the carrier fluid being blended with the engine oil; and 
 the carrier fluid being equivalent in volume to the ICL. 
 
     
     
         13 . The enhanced lubricant formulation in  claim 12  wherein, the ICL nanoparticles being about 3.1% (v/v) in an additive formulation. 
     
     
         14 . The enhanced lubricant formulation in  claim 12  wherein, the ICL nanoparticles being about 0.8% (v/v) in an engine oil replacement formulation. 
     
     
         15 . The enhanced lubricant formulations in  claim 11  wherein, the base lubricant is a lithium grease. 
     
     
         16 . The enhanced lubricant formulation in  claim 15  wherein the ICL nanoparticles being 6.0% (v/v) in a grease formulation. 
     
     
         17 . The enhanced lubricant formulation in  claim 11  wherein, the ICL nanoparticles being tungsten disulfide. 
     
     
         18 . The enhanced lubricant formulation in  claim 11  wherein, the ICL nanoparticles being carbon.