Polyol ester compositions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for recharging lubricants into low GWP HFO-1234yf automotive air conditioning (A/C) systems are inefficient, requiring manual injection and prone to lubricant adhesion in hoses, leading to incomplete delivery and increased complexity in both vehicle and stationary A/C systems.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising 50-80 wt% polyol ester (POE) lubricant and 20-50 wt% low GWP refrigerant, co-packaged to ensure miscibility, allowing the refrigerant to atomize and convey the lubricant/additive mixture into the A/C system, reducing adhesion and improving delivery efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual injection method is used to recharge lubricant into A/C system, then the process can be performed with simple equipment, but the lubricant delivery is incomplete and adhesion to hoses occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses refrigerant as an intermediary carrier to transport lubricant from the charging can to the A/C system. The refrigerant forms a miscible mixture with the lubricant and delivers it through the hose without adhesion, solving the incomplete delivery problem while using simple manual injection equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and composition parameters by mixing lubricant with refrigerant to create a miscible mixture. This parameter change allows the lubricant to be conveyed as a fluid mixture rather than pure lubricant, preventing adhesion to hose walls and enabling complete delivery
2Quantity of substance
If pure lubricant is injected into A/C system, then the lubricant can be delivered directly, but adhesion to hose walls occurs and delivery is incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
Refrigerant serves as a carrier medium that miscibly mixes with lubricant, enabling complete transfer through the hose without adhesion. This intermediary approach ensures full quantity delivery while simplifying the injection operation to a single canned charge
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the delivery parameter from pure lubricant injection to refrigerant-lubricant mixture injection. This parameter change eliminates adhesion losses and ensures complete quantity transfer while simplifying the operation
3Productivity
If refrigerant is used to convey lubricant, then delivery efficiency is improved and adhesion is reduced, but the composition must maintain miscibility across temperature and pressure ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects specific refrigerant and lubricant combinations with proven miscibility across the A/C operating temperature and pressure range. By controlling the composition parameters and selecting compatible materials, the mixture maintains stability throughout the delivery and operation cycles
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
Ensures more effective and convenient lubricant introduction into A/C systems, maintaining miscibility across a wide temperature range and pressure conditions, enhancing system performance and reducing manual handling complexities.
Implementation Method 1
the refrigerant will change state from compressed liquefied gas to refrigerant gas. During this process, refrigerant which is miscible with the lubricant will atomize the lubricant or lubricant/additive mixture and will convey the lubricant or lubricant/additive mixture further along the hose and into the A/C system
Implementation Method 2
In the hand injector or hand pump, lubricant flow is controlled by the lubricant viscosity and suction of the A/C compressor
Data Source
AI summary
Compositions, systems and methods for introducing lubricants, and additives, that are designed to work with environmentally friendly refrigerants into vehicle heat management systems including passenger compartment air conditioning (A/C) systems are disclosed. Methods for charging lubricants and specific additives using environmentally desirable (low GWP) refrigerant or refrigerant blend compositions into an environmentally friendly system, such as a system that uses HFO-1234yf, are also disclosed.