# US 12,000,600 B2 · Device and methodology for early detection of fluid loss and notification and system shutdown for a closed loop fluid heat transfer system

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- Number: US 12,000,600 B2
- Document ID: US12000600B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/051,079
- Filed: 2019-05-03
- Published: 2021-07-29
- Granted: 2024-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2019-05-03
- Applicants: Hydronics, LLC
- Inventors: Lee Hiram Stevens; Michael John Lee
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12000600B2

## CPC

- F24D 3/02: with forced circulation, e.g. by pumps
- G01M 3/2815: {using pressure measurements}
- F24D 3/1008: {expansion tanks}
- F24D 19/1015: {using a valve or valves}
- F24H 15/12: Preventing or detecting fluid leakage
- F24D 2220/0271: Valves
- F24D 2220/042: Temperature sensors
- F24D 2220/046: Pressure sensors
- F24D: DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR (using steam or condensate extracted or exhausted from steam engine plants for heating purposes F01K17/02)
- G01M: TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F24H: FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL (steam generation F22)

## Abstract

A hydronic system and method of use that will maintain normal system operating pressure while also reliably detecting even very small fluid losses in any closed loop fluid heat transfer system is described. The system includes a controller in communication with one or more pressure sensors and optionally one or more temperature sensors that provides one or more notifications when the pressure drops below predetermined levels.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of detecting a leak in a closed loop heat transfer system, the method comprising:
a. providing the closed loop heat transfer system, the heat transfer system including,
an appliance for heating or cooling,
a circulator pump,
an expansion tank,
an air separator with an air vent,
one or more radiators,
a normally closed valve coupled to a fluid makeup supply source,
a controller having a processor and memory accessible by the processor,
a first conduit fluidly connecting the appliance, the circulator pump, the air separator and the radiators to form a circulation loop,
a second conduit separate from the circulation loop for fluidly connecting the expansion tank and the normally closed valve to the air separator,
at least one fluid pressure transducer located on the second conduit in operative communication with the controller; and
a fluid contained within the first and second conduits for circulating therein;
b. the controller sampling system pressure through the at least one fluid pressure transducer;
c. the controller evaluating the system pressure and determining the system pressure has fallen to or below a pre-determined pressure value;
d. in response to the system pressure falling to or below the pre-set pressure value, the controller sampling and evaluating system pressures over a pre-determined period of time to determine that the system pressure is not decreasing at or in excess of a pre-determined rapid rate;
e. after the pre-determined period of time has passed, the controller opening the normally closed valve to initiate a fill event, permitting makeup fluid to flow into the first and second conduits and thereby raising the system pressure to a second pre-determined value;
f. the controller logging the date and time of the first fill event operation (e);
g. the controller repeating steps (b)-(f) for one or more instances creating one or more additional fill events;
h. the controller analyzing a frequency of occurrence of the fill events, and
i. the controller providing a notification if the frequency of occurrence exceeds a pre-determined fill event frequency value.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising the controller modeling the closed loop heat transfer system based on the sampled pressures and storing data generated therefrom in memory.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the notification comprises at least one of a visual alarm, an audible alarm, an automated telephone call, and a text message.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the notification comprises transmitting an electronic message over a data network to predetermined recipients.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the notification is issued if the frequency of occurrence between the two most recent fill events is greater by a pre-determined value relative to the immediately prior frequency of occurrence of fill events.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the notification is issued if, during the initial system fill, startup and air extraction phase, the frequency of occurrence between the two most recent fill events does not increase by a pre-determined value relative to the immediately prior frequency of occurrence of fill events.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the controller is remotely located relative to a remainder of the closed loop heat transfer system.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the system pressure values and the frequency of occurrence are stored remotely on the memory.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the controller is a part of a server computer.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein a fluid mass model reference is established with coefficients generated by prior collective heat transfer system history.