Methods and apparatus for preventing degradation of electrical insulation properties within air conditioning circuits

Abstract

Compressors for air conditioning systems may compress fluids that contain a mixture of a refrigerant and a lubricating oil. The lubricating oil may primarily consist of polyvinyl ether (PVE) oil and may be used for an air conditioning system. Such fluids preferably minimize the degradation of the electrical insulation properties of a vehicle air conditioning circuit.

1 . A method for preventing degradation of insulating properties within an air conditioning system, comprising: 
 circulating a mixture of a refrigerant and a lubricating oil that primarily consists of a polyvinyl ether oil within a compressor for the air conditioning system, wherein the compressor comprises a fluid flow path connecting a suction region to a discharge region, the mixture of the lubricating oil and refrigerant flows through the fluid flow path and is compressed and highly pressurized within the compressor before being discharged into a refrigerant circuit and at least one electrically conductive portion is in contact with the fluid flow path.    
     
     
         2 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrically conductive portion is prevented from degrading by the circulating lubricating oil.  
     
     
         3 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the compressor further includes a compression mechanism arranged and constructed to compress the mixture, an electric motor arranged and constructed to drive the compression mechanism, and an electric connecting section for the electric motor, wherein the electric connecting section comprises the electrically conductive portion, so that the electric connecting section is in contact with the fluid flow path.  
     
     
         4 . A method as in  claim 3 , wherein the compressor further includes a substantially sealed motor chamber that accommodates the electric motor, and a communication channel that connects the motor chamber to the fluid flow path, wherein the electric connecting section of the electric motor communicates with the fluid flow path via the communication channel.  
     
     
         5 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the compressor is mounted to an engine, which serves as a drive source of a vehicle, and the fluid flow path is connected to a flow line that is made of rubber.  
     
     
         6 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the air conditioning system is arranged and constructed to perform an air conditioning operation by circulating the mixture within the refrigerant circuit by means of the compressor.  
     
     
         7 . A method for compressing a refrigerant within an air conditioning system, comprising: 
 mixing the refrigerant with a lubricating oil that primarily consists of a polyvinyl ether oil,    circulating the mixture through a fluid flow path defined within a compressor, the fluid flow path connecting a suction region of the compressor to a discharge region of the compressor, whereby the mixture is compressed and highly pressurized within the compressor, and wherein at least one electrically conductive portion is in contact with the fluid flow path and the mixture prevents degradation of the at least one electrically conductive portion, and    discharging the pressurized mixture into a refrigerant circuit of the air conditioning system.    
     
     
         8 . A method as in  claim 7 , wherein the compressor further includes a compression mechanism arranged and constructed to compress the mixture, an electric motor arranged and constructed to drive the compression mechanism, and an electric connecting section for the electric motor, wherein the electric connecting section comprises the electrically conductive portion, so that the electric connecting section is in contact with the fluid flow path.  
     
     
         9 . A method as in  claim 8 , wherein the compressor further includes a substantially sealed motor chamber that accommodates the electric motor, and a communication channel that connects the motor chamber to the fluid flow path, wherein the electric connecting section of the electric motor communicates with the fluid flow path via the communication channel.  
     
     
         10 . A method as in  claim 7 , wherein the compressor is mounted to an engine, which serves as a drive source of a vehicle, and the fluid flow path is connected to a flow line that is made of rubber.  
     
     
         11 . A method as in  claim 7 , wherein the air conditioning system is arranged and constructed to perform an air conditioning operation by circulating the mixture within the refrigerant circuit by means of the compressor.  
     
     
         12 . A method for compressing a refrigerant within an air conditioning system, comprising: 
 mixing the refrigerant with a polyvinyl ether oil, thereby forming a fluid mixture,    circulating the fluid mixture through a fluid flow path defined within a compressor, the fluid flow path connecting a suction region of the compressor to a discharge region of the compressor, whereby the fluid mixture is compressed and highly pressurized within the compressor, and wherein at least one electrically conductive portion is in contact with the fluid flow path and the polyvinyl ether oil prevents degradation of insulating property of the at least one electrically conductive portion, and    discharging the pressurized fluid mixture into a refrigerant circuit of the air conditioning system.