US6516837B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of introducing refrigerants into refrigeration systems
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
•
Filing: 2001-08-30
•
Granted: 2003-02-11
•
Expires: 2021-08-30
Abstract
Abstract Provided are methods of introducing environmentally desirable refrigerants into refrigeration systems. The present methods involve recharging a refrigerant system that contains a chlorine-containing refrigerant and a lubricant comprising the steps of (a) removing the chlorine-containing refrigerant from the refrigeration system while retaining a substantial portion of the lubricant in said system; and (b) introducing to said system a composition comprising: (i) a refrigerant; (ii) a surfactant; and (iii) a solubilizing agent.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond Hilton Percival Thomas
- 👤 Roy Phillip Robinson
- 👤 Rajiv Ratna Singh
- 👤 David Paul Wilson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 17:06
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K5/00; C09K5/02; C09K5/04; C09K5/041; C09K5/044; C09K5/045; F; F25; F25B; F25B45/00; C09K2205/00; C09K2205/10; C09K2205/12; C09K2205/22; F25B2400/00; F25B2400/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of recharging a refrigeration system of the type containing a chlorine-containing refrigerant and a lubricant, comprising the steps of: (a) removing said chlorine-containing refrigerant from said refrigeration system while leaving a substantial portion of said lubricant in said system; and (b) introducing to said lubricant left in said system a composition comprising: (i) a non-chlorine-containing refrigerant; (ii) a surfactant; and (iii) a solubilizing agent.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of recharging a refrigeration system of the type containing a chlorine-containing refrigerant and a lubricant, comprising the steps of: (a) removing said chlorine-containing refrigerant from said refrigeration system while leaving a substantial portion of said lubricant in said system; and (b) introducing to said lubricant left in said system a composition comprising: (i) a non-chlorine-containing refrigerant; (ii) a surfactant; and (iii) a solubilizing agent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said non-chlorine-containing refrigerant comprises an HFC.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said non-chlorine-containing refrigerant is a mixture of two or more HFC compounds.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said non-chlorine-containing refrigerant is R-407C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said surfactant comprises a polyoxyethylene-type nonionic surfactant.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said solubilizing agent is an ester or polyvinyl ether.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said surfactant enhances the solubility of said non-chlorine-containing refrigerant in said hydrocarbon-based lubricant by at least about 2 weight %.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said surfactant enhances the solubility of said non-chlorine-containing refrigerant in said hydrocarbon-based lubricant by at least about 5 weight %.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said surfactant enhances the solubility of said hydrocarbon-based lubricant in said non-chlorine-containing refrigerant by at least about 2 weight %.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said surfactant comprises a polyoxyethylene-type nonionic surfactant.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said surfactant is soluble in said solubilizing agent.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solubilizing agent comprises a polyalkylene glycol.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said polyalkylene glycol comprises a polybutylene glycol compound.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said polybutylene glycol compound has a viscosity of between about 1 and 20 centistokes at 100° C.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said polybutylene glycol compound has a viscosity of between about 1 and 10 centistokes at 100° C.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said polybutylene glycol compound has a viscosity of between about 1 and 5 centistokes at 100° C.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-02-10 | 2006-08-12 | 2007-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-02-10 | 2010-08-12 | 2011-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-02-10 | 2014-08-12 | 2015-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |