ACtion Magazine - November/December 2012 - (Page 14)

Daimler renounces R-1234yf On September 25th, Daimler AG, maker of Mercedes Benz and other vehicles, issued this statement declaring that it will not use R-1234yf refrigerant in its products. “Daimler has provided relevant authorities with the findings of an investigation which raises questions on the safe usage of the new internationally recognised R-1234yf refrigerant. Up to now, the climatefriendly chemical was set to be used worldwide in the automotive industry and was previously perceived to be safe. This was determined by numerous laboratory and crash tests carried out by international vehicle manufacturers and independent institutions. Despite multiple confirmations of non-critical results, Daimler carried out a series of additional tests on the new refrigerant as part of a new real-life test scenario developed in-house which goes above and beyond the legally prescribed requirements. In the new real-life test scenario, the refrigerant is dynamically dispersed at high pressure near to hot components of the test vehicle’s exhaust system. This corresponds to a serious head-on collision in which the refrigerant line is severed and the reproducible results demonstrate that refrigerant which is otherwise difficult to ignite under laboratory conditions can indeed prove to be flammable in a hot engine compartment. Similar tests of the current R-134a refrigerant did not result in ignition. Due to the new findings of this study and the high safety demands at Mercedes-Benz, this chemical will not be used in its products. The company therefore wishes to continue to use the proven and safe R134a refrigerant in its vehicles. Daimler has already informed the relevant authorities of these facts and will also make the results of this investigation available to all relevant associations as well as to other vehicle manufacturers.” A few days later, a company spokesman noted that their commitment to R-134a was “a temporary solution” and that “we are looking for alternative refrigerants.” the requirements for R-134a, R-1234yf and other known alternative refrigerants presently in development, and is the only fitting classified as a metal gasket under the SAE J2727 refrigerant emission chart. Visteon expects future legislation to move towards further reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and said that using the new fitting allows OEMs to achieve the highest level of vehicle CO2 credits by reducing A/C system leakage to zero. Canada makes progress In August, Canada’s Environment Minister the Honourable Peter Kent announced that Canada is half way towards meeting its 2020 greenhouse gas emission target. Under the Copenhagen Accord, Canada committed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 17 per cent from 2005 levels by 2020. The government took initial action on two of the largest sources of emissions, electricity and transportation, and regulated greenhouse gas emissions from these sectors. Cadillac delays R-1234yf on ATS In September, MACS Technical Correspondent Paul Weissler confirmed that Cadillac had delayed introduction of the new refrigerant on the 2013 Cadillac ATS. Although R-1234yf is used on the XTS, Paul’s sources reveal that the ATS delay is not due to supply problems but rather because “engineers chose to briefly hold off on the transition while they work to tune system performance.” They view the operational issues as “minor, not major” and they are working to “…obtain ideal HVAC operation in all aspects.” Only a brief delay is anticipated and cars with the new refrigerant may be out by the time you read this. UD Trucks leaves N. Am. market In September UD Truck of North America announced its withdrawal from the North American truck market, effective for 2013. Reasons cited included a shrinking market for their cab over engine (COE) class 3 - 7 medium duty products and the increasing costs of safety and emissions compliance. The company’s letter to its dealers said that there are about 300 new trucks remaining in UD inventory and that orders for 2013 vehicles will be accepted for anything that can be built before the end of this year. UD’s pull-out leaves the COE market to the Class 6 and 7 trucks from Peterbilt and Kenworth, while the market for lighter classes and purpose-bodied “vocational” vehicles falls back to the perennial players including Mitsubishi Fuso, Hino and others. Zero-leak fittings Visteon Corporation has developed and patented a metal seal fitting to eliminate refrigerant leakage in vehicles. The company says the fitting is very robust and resists contamination during assembly. The fitting will be featured on several vehicles launching this year in North America and internationally. Over the next two years, Visteon expects to provide approximately 15 million assemblies annually. A company spokesman said that the new part exceeds 14 ACTION • November/December 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ACtion Magazine - November/December 2012

ACtion Magazine - November/December 2012
Contents
Outlook
Expansion Valve
Leonard’s Law
Under the Southern Cross
News & Updates
Meeting the Need
See the Best of the Best
The Bumpy Road to R-1234yf
Virtual View
Association News
Obituary
Quick Check
New Products & Services
Last Watch

ACtion Magazine - November/December 2012