Gas-Dissolved Liquid Coolants for Low-Viscosity Electric Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid coolants for electric systems face challenges in achieving improved fuel economy while maintaining desirable levels of volatility and flammability, particularly at low viscosities.

Innovation Solution

A method of cooling electric systems using a liquid coolant comprising a base oil and a dissolved gas, where the dissolved gas is present in an amount sufficient to reduce the fluid viscosity of the liquid coolant, thereby improving cooling power without increasing volatility or flammability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the viscosity of the liquid coolant is reduced to improve cooling effectiveness and energy efficiency, then cooling performance is improved, but volatility and flammability increase creating safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling effectivenessVSAvoidvolatility and flammability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the coolant by dissolving gas (such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or air) in the base oil to reduce viscosity from typical values (15-50 cSt at 100°C) to very low values (1-10 cSt at 100°C), thereby improving cooling effectiveness while the base oil composition maintains acceptable volatility and flammability characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite coolant system by combining a base oil (such as polyalphaolefin, ester, or synthetic hydrocarbon oil) with dissolved gas phases, forming a composite fluid that achieves low viscosity for improved cooling while the base oil provides thermal stability and controlled flammability characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Use of energy by moving object

If the viscosity of the liquid coolant is reduced to improve fuel economy, then energy efficiency is improved, but volatility and flammability increase creating safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel economyVSAvoidvolatility and flammability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the viscosity parameter of the coolant by dissolving gas in the base oil, reducing viscosity to 1-10 cSt at 100°C, which decreases pumping power requirements and improves fuel economy, while the base oil selection ensures volatility and flammability remain at safe levels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The proposed solution effectively reduces the viscosity of the liquid coolant, enhancing its cooling power while maintaining safe levels of volatility and flammability, thus addressing the limitations of existing coolants.

Implementation Method 1

the dissolved gas is present in the liquid coolant in an amount sufficient to have a measurable effect on fluid viscosity of the liquid coolant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscosity reduction by gas dissolution:

Data Source

PatentEP4158761B1Liquid coolants with dissolved gas for electric systems

Publication Date: 2025.01.29 EXXONMOBIL TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING CO

Figure 1

AI summary

Disclosed are liquid coolants for electric systems and methods of making the same. An example liquid coolant for electric systems may comprise: a base oil, wherein the base oil is a major component of the liquid coolant; and a dissolved gas in an amount sufficient to have a measurable effect on fluid viscosity of the liquid coolant; wherein the liquid coolant has a kinematic viscosity at 100 °C of about 7 cSt or less.