# US 11,079,149 B2 · System and method of diluting a leaked refrigerant in an HVAC/R system

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- Number: US 11,079,149 B2
- Document ID: US11079149B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/157,848
- Filed: 2016-05-18
- Published: 2016-12-15
- Granted: 2021-08-03
- Earliest claimed: 2015-06-09
- Assignees: Carrier Corporation
- Applicants: Carrier Corporation
- Inventors: Paul Papas; Parmesh Verma; Richard G. Lord; Larry D. Burns
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11079149B2

## CPC

- F25B 49/005: {of safety devices (F25B49/02 and F25B49/04 take precedence)}
- F24F 11/36: to leakage of heat-exchange fluid
- F25B: REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F24F: AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING (removing dirt or fumes from areas where they are produced B08B15/00; vertical ducts for carrying away waste gases from buildings E04F17/02; tops for chimneys or ventilating shafts, terminals for flues F23L17/02)

## Abstract

A mitigation damper operably coupled to a return conduit. The return conduit includes an opening. The mitigation damper is positioned adjacent to the opening. The mitigation damper is configured to selectively allow airflow through the opening in response to a detected refrigerant leak.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system comprising:
a component configured to allow a refrigerant to flow therethrough, the component located in a supply conduit;
a return conduit operably coupled to the component, the return conduit including an opening;
a mitigation damper operably coupled to the return conduit and positioned adjacent to the opening;
a sensor configured to detect a refrigerant leak, the sensor being in electrical communication with the mitigation damper;
wherein the mitigation damper is configured to selectively allow airflow through the opening in response to the sensor having detected a refrigerant leak.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a controller in electrical communication with the sensor; and
a blower motor in electrical communication with the controller.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein mitigation damper is operably coupled to a rotating component configured to provide rotation of the mitigation damper.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the component comprises an evaporator coil.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the component comprises a fan coil.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the component is a refrigeration unit.

### Claim 7

A method of diluting a leaked refrigerant in a system, the system including a component operably coupled to a return air conduit, and a mitigation damper operably coupled to the return air conduit, the method comprising the steps:
(a) at a controller, determining whether a refrigerant leak has occured; and
(b) sending a signal to initiate operating a mitigation damper from a closed position to an open position if a refrigerant leak is detected;
wherein the component comprises an evaporator coil.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein step (b) further comprises operating a blower motor, disposed within the component, if a refrigerant leak is detected.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein a sensor is in electrical communication with the mitigation damper, and determining whether a refrigerant leak has occured comprises operating the sensor to detect a leak.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein operating the mitigation damper further comprises receiving an electrical signal from the sensor indicating a detected refrigerant leak.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the sensor is in electrical communication with the component, and operating the blower motor further comprises receiving an electrical signal from the sensor indicating a detected refrigerant leak.

### Claim 12

A system comprising:
a component configured to allow a refrigerant to flow therethrough;
a return conduit operably coupled to the component, the return conduit including an opening;
a sensor configured to detect a refrigerant leak; and
a mitigation damper, a first portion of the mitigation damper configured to move from a closed position covering the opening to an open position enabling air to pass through the opening if the mitigation damper receives a signal from the sensor indicating the detected refrigerant leak;
wherein the component comprises an evaporator coil.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12, wherein a second portion of the mitigation damper is operable to block return air in the return conduit.