US4442015A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-sealing refrigerant
Assignee: American Patent Group
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Filing: 1982-07-12
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Granted: 1984-04-10
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Expires: 2002-07-12
Abstract
Abstract Refrigeration fluid compositions for refrigeration and air-conditioning circuits include a usual refrigerant fluid together with a liquid, hydrolyzable organosilane which remains in the liquid phase throughout the air-conditioning circuit, and which is capable of removing moisture from the interior of the circuit and sealing leaks.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph J. Packo
- 👤 Donald L. Bailey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:10
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K3/00; C09K3/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
246 words
A leak sealing, leak preventing and moisture removing refrigeration fluid composition for refrigeration and air-conditioning units, comprising: (a) a material selected from the group consisting of a refrigerant fluid which ammonia or chlorofluorocarbon, a lubricating fluid and a mixture thereof; and (b) a liquid sealant for removing moisture from the interior of the refrigeration or air-conditioning circuit and for forming a seal at the site of a leak in such a circuit, said sealant being a liquid hydrolyzable organosilane or mixture thereof compatible with said refrigerant fluid, which does not substantially interfere with the properties of the refrigerant fluid, which exists as a liquid both in the liquid portion of the circuit and the gaseous portion of the circuit, and which is substantially inert to the material from which the circuit is made, said organosilane sealant being selected from silanes and mixtures of silanes having at least two silicon-bonded hydrolyzable substituents selected from the group consisting of alkylamino-, dialkylamino-, mercapto-, acyloxy-, alkoxy-, amido-, aminoxy-, and oximo-groups; low molecular weight, low viscosity silicone polymers having at least 2 silicon-bonded hydrolyzable substituents selected from the group consisting of alkylamino-, dialkylamino-, mercapto-, acyloxy-, alkoxy-, amido-, aminoxy-, oximo-, disilazanyl- and disilthianyl groups; low molecular weight, low viscosity silicon-substituted organic polymers having at least two silicon-bonded hydrolyzable substituents selected from the group consisting of alkylamino-, dialkylamino-, mercapto-, acyloxy-, alkoxy-, amido-, aminoxy-, and oximo-groups; mixtures of said silanes and said silicone polymers; and mixtures of said silanes and said silicon-substituted organic polymers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
246 words
A leak sealing, leak preventing and moisture removing refrigeration fluid composition for refrigeration and air-conditioning units, comprising: (a) a material selected from the group consisting of a refrigerant fluid which ammonia or chlorofluorocarbon, a lubricating fluid and a mixture thereof; and (b) a liquid sealant for removing moisture from the interior of the refrigeration or air-conditioning circuit and for forming a seal at the site of a leak in such a circuit, said sealant being a liquid hydrolyzable organosilane or mixture thereof compatible with said refrigerant fluid, which does not substantially interfere with the properties of the refrigerant fluid, which exists as a liquid both in the liquid portion of the circuit and the gaseous portion of the circuit, and which is substantially inert to the material from which the circuit is made, said organosilane sealant being selected from silanes and mixtures of silanes having at least two silicon-bonded hydrolyzable substituents selected from the group consisting of alkylamino-, dialkylamino-, mercapto-, acyloxy-, alkoxy-, amido-, aminoxy-, and oximo-groups; low molecular weight, low viscosity silicone polymers having at least 2 silicon-bonded hydrolyzable substituents selected from the group consisting of alkylamino-, dialkylamino-, mercapto-, acyloxy-, alkoxy-, amido-, aminoxy-, oximo-, disilazanyl- and disilthianyl groups; low molecular weight, low viscosity silicon-substituted organic polymers having at least two silicon-bonded hydrolyzable substituents selected from the group consisting of alkylamino-, dialkylamino-, mercapto-, acyloxy-, alkoxy-, amido-, aminoxy-, and oximo-groups; mixtures of said silanes and said silicone polymers; and mixtures of said silanes and said silicon-substituted organic polymers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
A composition according to claim 1, wherein said refrigerant fluid is a chlorofluorocarbon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
A composition according to claim 1, wherein said refrigerant fluid is ammonia.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of sealing leaks in a closed refrigeration or air-conditioning circuit containing a refrigerant fluid therein, comprising introducing into the interior of said circuit a liquid sealant agent comprising a liquid hydrolyzable organosilane or mixture thereof, and applying pressure to the interior of said circuit with a refrigerant fluid, said pressure being sufficient to permit escape of said refrigerant and said hydrolyzable organosilane from the interior of said circuit into the ambient environment for a period of time sufficient to cause said hydrolyzable organosilane to react with moisture present in the environment to form a solid seal at the situs of the leak, said organosilane existing as a liquid in both the liquid and gaseous portions of said circuit.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of sealing leaks in a closed refrigeration or air-conditioning circuit containing a refrigerant fluid therein, comprising introducing into the interior of said circuit a liquid sealant agent comprising a liquid hydrolyzable organosilane or mixture thereof, and applying pressure to the interior of said circuit with a refrigerant fluid, said pressure being sufficient to permit escape of said refrigerant and said hydrolyzable organosilane from the interior of said circuit into the ambient environment for a period of time sufficient to cause said hydrolyzable organosilane to react with moisture present in the environment to form a solid seal at the situs of the leak, said organosilane existing as a liquid in both the liquid and gaseous portions of said circuit.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of removing moisture, neutralizing acids and sealing existing or future external leaks in a closed refrigeration or air-conditioning circuit containing a refrigerant therein, thereby improving performance and efficiency of the air-conditioning or refrigeration system comprising introducing into the interior of said circuit a liquid organosilane and a refrigerant fluid compatible with said liquid organosilane and inert with respect thereto, said refrigerant fluid effecting pressurizing of the interior of said circuit sufficient to permit escape, when leaks are present, of said refrigerant fluid and said liquid organosilane into the ambient environment at prevailing humidity conditions and for a period of time sufficient to react with moisture present in the external environment and to form a seal at the situs of the leak, said organosilane existing as a liquid in both the liquid and gaseous portions of said circuit.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of removing moisture, neutralizing acids and sealing existing or future external leaks in a closed refrigeration or air-conditioning circuit containing a refrigerant therein, thereby improving performance and efficiency of the air-conditioning or refrigeration system comprising introducing into the interior of said circuit a liquid organosilane and a refrigerant fluid compatible with said liquid organosilane and inert with respect thereto, said refrigerant fluid effecting pressurizing of the interior of said circuit sufficient to permit escape, when leaks are present, of said refrigerant fluid and said liquid organosilane into the ambient environment at prevailing humidity conditions and for a period of time sufficient to react with moisture present in the external environment and to form a seal at the situs of the leak, said organosilane existing as a liquid in both the liquid and gaseous portions of said circuit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein the liquid organosilane and said refrigerant fluid are charged to the interior of the circuit sequentially, with the charging of the refrigerant fluid following the charging of the liquid organosilane sealant.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein said refrigerant fluid and said liquid organosilane are admixed prior to charging to said circuit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 7, wherein said liquid hydrolyzable organosilane is a silicon-substituted monomeric or polymeric material, or mixture thereof, containing at least two silicon-bonded hydrolyzable substituents selected from the group consisting of alkylamino-, dialkylamino-, mercapto-, acyloxy-, and alkoxy-groups.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A composition according to claim 1, wherein said organosilane sealant has carbon atoms all of which comprise substituents which are non-functional.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A composition according to claim 2, wherein said organosilane sealant has carbon atoms all of which comprise substituents which are non-functional.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
A composition according to claim 5, wherein said organosilane sealant has carbon atoms all of which comprise substituents which are non-functional and wherein said refrigerant fluid is a chlorofluoro carbon.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein said organosilane sealant has carbon atoms all of which comprise substituents which are non-functional.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein said organosilane sealant has carbon atoms all of which comprise substituents which are non-functional.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
248 words
A leak sealing, leak preventing and moisture removing refrigeration fluid composition for use at full strength for refrigeration and air-conditioning units, comprising: (i) a liquid sealant for removing moisture from the interior of the refrigeration or air-conditioning circuit and for forming a seal at the site of a leak in such a circuit, said sealant being a liquid hydrolyzable organosilane or mixture thereof compatible with said refrigerant fluid, which does not substantially interfere with the properties of the refrigerant fluid, which exists as a liquid both in the liquid portion of the circuit and the gaseous portion of the circuit, and which is substantially inert to the material from which the circuit is made, said organosilane sealant being selected from silanes and mixtures of silanes having at least two silicon bonded hydrolyzable substituents selected from the group consisting of alkylamino-, dialkylamino-, mercapto-, acyloxy-, alkoxy-, amido-, aminoxy-, and oximo-groups; low molecular weight, low viscosity silicone polymers having at least 2 silicon-bonded hydrolyzable substituents selected from the group consisting of alkylamino-, dialkylamino-, mercapto-, acyloxy-, alkoxy-, amido-, aminoxy-, oximo-, disilazanyl- and disilthianyl groups; low molecular weight, low viscosity silicon-substituted organic polymers having at least two silicon-bonded hydrolyzable substituents selected from the group consisting of alkylamino-, dialkylamino-, mercapto-, acyloxy-, alkoxy-, amido-, aminoxy-, and oximo-groups; mixtures of said silanes and said silicone polymers; and mixtures of said silanes and said silicon-substituted organic polymers, said organosilane liquid comprising 100 ppm to 10% of said composition; and (ii) the remainder being essentially a refrigerant fluid.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
248 words
A leak sealing, leak preventing and moisture removing refrigeration fluid composition for use at full strength for refrigeration and air-conditioning units, comprising: (i) a liquid sealant for removing moisture from the interior of the refrigeration or air-conditioning circuit and for forming a seal at the site of a leak in such a circuit, said sealant being a liquid hydrolyzable organosilane or mixture thereof compatible with said refrigerant fluid, which does not substantially interfere with the properties of the refrigerant fluid, which exists as a liquid both in the liquid portion of the circuit and the gaseous portion of the circuit, and which is substantially inert to the material from which the circuit is made, said organosilane sealant being selected from silanes and mixtures of silanes having at least two silicon bonded hydrolyzable substituents selected from the group consisting of alkylamino-, dialkylamino-, mercapto-, acyloxy-, alkoxy-, amido-, aminoxy-, and oximo-groups; low molecular weight, low viscosity silicone polymers having at least 2 silicon-bonded hydrolyzable substituents selected from the group consisting of alkylamino-, dialkylamino-, mercapto-, acyloxy-, alkoxy-, amido-, aminoxy-, oximo-, disilazanyl- and disilthianyl groups; low molecular weight, low viscosity silicon-substituted organic polymers having at least two silicon-bonded hydrolyzable substituents selected from the group consisting of alkylamino-, dialkylamino-, mercapto-, acyloxy-, alkoxy-, amido-, aminoxy-, and oximo-groups; mixtures of said silanes and said silicone polymers; and mixtures of said silanes and said silicon-substituted organic polymers, said organosilane liquid comprising 100 ppm to 10% of said composition; and (ii) the remainder being essentially a refrigerant fluid.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
234 words
A leak sealing, leak preventing and moisture removing refrigeration fluid composition for refrigeration and air-conditioning units, comprising: (a) a mixture of a refrigerant fluid and a lubricant fluid; and (b) a liquid sealant for removing moisture from the interior of the refrigeration or air-conditioning circuit and for forming a seal at the site of a leak in such a circuit, said sealant being a liquid hydrolyzable organosilane or mixture thereof compatible with said refrigerant fluid, which does not substantially interfere with the properties of the refrigerant fluid, which exists as a liquid both in the liquid portion of the circuit and the gaseous portion of the circuit, and which is substantially inert to the material from which the circuit is made, said organosilane sealant being selected from silanes and mixtures of silanes having at least two silicon-bonded hydrolyzable substituents selected from the group consisting of alkylamino-, dialkylamino-, mercapto-, acyloxy-, alkoxy-, amido-, aminoxy-, and oximo-groups; low molecular weight, low viscosity silicone polymers having at least 2 silicon-bonded hydrolyzable substituents selected from the group consisting of alkylamino-, dialkylamino-, mercapto-, acyloxy-, alkoxy-, amido-, aminoxy-, oximo-, disilazanyl- and disilthianyl groups; low molecular weight, low viscosity silicon-substituted organic polymers having at least two silicon-bonded hydrolyzable substituents selected from the group consisting of alkylamino-, dialkylamino-, mercapto-, acyloxy-, alkoxy-, amido-, aminoxy-, and oximo-groups; mixtures of said silanes and said silicone polymers; and mixtures of said silanes and said silicon-substituted organic polymers.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
234 words
A leak sealing, leak preventing and moisture removing refrigeration fluid composition for refrigeration and air-conditioning units, comprising: (a) a mixture of a refrigerant fluid and a lubricant fluid; and (b) a liquid sealant for removing moisture from the interior of the refrigeration or air-conditioning circuit and for forming a seal at the site of a leak in such a circuit, said sealant being a liquid hydrolyzable organosilane or mixture thereof compatible with said refrigerant fluid, which does not substantially interfere with the properties of the refrigerant fluid, which exists as a liquid both in the liquid portion of the circuit and the gaseous portion of the circuit, and which is substantially inert to the material from which the circuit is made, said organosilane sealant being selected from silanes and mixtures of silanes having at least two silicon-bonded hydrolyzable substituents selected from the group consisting of alkylamino-, dialkylamino-, mercapto-, acyloxy-, alkoxy-, amido-, aminoxy-, and oximo-groups; low molecular weight, low viscosity silicone polymers having at least 2 silicon-bonded hydrolyzable substituents selected from the group consisting of alkylamino-, dialkylamino-, mercapto-, acyloxy-, alkoxy-, amido-, aminoxy-, oximo-, disilazanyl- and disilthianyl groups; low molecular weight, low viscosity silicon-substituted organic polymers having at least two silicon-bonded hydrolyzable substituents selected from the group consisting of alkylamino-, dialkylamino-, mercapto-, acyloxy-, alkoxy-, amido-, aminoxy-, and oximo-groups; mixtures of said silanes and said silicone polymers; and mixtures of said silanes and said silicon-substituted organic polymers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-04-10 | 1987-10-10 | 1988-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-04-10 | 1991-10-10 | 1992-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-04-10 | 1995-10-10 | 1996-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |