Perfluorocarbon gas insufflation

Abstract

Vehicle tires are filled with perfluorocarbon gas to extend tire life.

1 . An inflatable article inflated with a fluid comprising at least one perfluorocarbon compound.  
   
   
       2 . An inflatable article according to  claim 1  wherein the fluid comprises at least one perfluorocarbon gas selected from the group consisting of perfluoromethane, perfluoroethane, perfluoropropane, and perfluorobutane.  
   
   
       3 . An inflatable article according to  claim 2  further comprising at least one perfluorocarbon having a boiling point greater than zero degrees C.  
   
   
       4 . An inflatable article according to  claim 2  further comprising at least one non-perfluorocarbon gas selected from the group comprising gaseous hydrofluorocarbons, gaseous chlorflurohydrocarbons, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, helium, argon and xenon.  
   
   
       5 . An inflatable article according to  claim 1  wherein the fluid comprises less than about one percent oxygen by volume.  
   
   
       6 . An inflatable article according to  claim 1  the fluid further comprising at least one anti-oxidant.  
   
   
       7 . An inflatable article according to  claim 1  further comprising a vehicle tire.  
   
   
       8 . A process for inflating an inflatable article, the process comprising inflating the inflatable article with a fluid comprising at least one perfluorocarbon compound, and sealing the article to prevent escape of the fluid.  
   
   
       9 . A process according to  claim 8  wherein the fluid comprises at least one perfluorocarbon gas selected from the group consisting of perfluoromethane, perfluoroethane, perfluoropropane, and perfluorobutane.  
   
   
       10 . A process according to  claim 9  wherein the fluid further comprises at least one perfluorocarbon having a boiling point greater than zero degrees C.  
   
   
       11 . A process according to  claim 8  wherein the fluid further comprises at least one non-perfluorocarbon gas selected from the group comprising gaseous hydrofluorocarbons, gaseous chlorflurohydrocarbons, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, helium, argon and xenon.  
   
   
       12 . A process according to  claim 8  wherein the fluid comprises less than about one percent oxygen by volume.  
   
   
       13 . A process according to  claim 8  wherein the fluid further comprises at least one anti-oxidant.  
   
   
       14 . A process according to  claim 8  wherein the inflatable article comprises a vehicle tire.  
   
   
       15 . A process for operating a pneumatic device, the process comprising supplying a gas comprising at least one perfluorocarbon compound to the pneumatic device as a working fluid, and applying pressure to the working fluid.  
   
   
       16 . A process according to  claim 15  wherein the working fluid comprises at least one perfluorocarbon gas selected from the group consisting of perfluoromethane, perfluoroethane, perfluoropropane, and perfluorobutane.  
   
   
       17 . A process according to  claim 16  wherein the working fluid further comprises at least one perfluorocarbon having a boiling point greater than zero degrees C.  
   
   
       18 . A process according to  claim 16  wherein the fluid further comprises at least one non-perfluorocarbon gas selected from the group comprising gaseous hydrofluorocarbons, gaseous chlorflurohydrocarbons, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, helium, argon and xenon.  
   
   
       19 . A process for operating a hydraulic device, the process comprising supplying a liquid comprising at least one perfluorocarbon compound to the hydraulic device as a working fluid, and applying pressure to the working fluid.  
   
   
       20 . A process according to  claim 19  wherein the at least one perfluorocarbon compound is selected from the group consisting of perfluoro-n-hexane, perfluoromethylcylcopentane, perfluoro-1,3-dimethylcyclohexane, perfluorodecalin, perfluoromethyldecalin, and perfluoroperhydrobenzyltetralin.