US 2006/0137369 A1 · Single sensor three-step refrigerant charge indicator

Abstract

A method and apparatus for determining the sufficiency of refrigerant charge in an air conditioning system using a single temperature sensor for sensing three different temperatures within the system to compute a condenser approach temperature difference, which in then compared with a predetermined optimal condenser approach temperature difference to indicate the charge condition of the system. The device includes an absorbent pad for sensing wet bulb temperatures, and is formed as a clamshell that can be clamped onto the condenser liquid line. A microprocessor is included to make the comparison and to appropriately display the result as a visual indication of charge adequacy.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A method of determining the sufficiency of refrigerant charge in an air conditioning system device having a single temperature sensor, comprising the steps of:

providing an absorbent pad in combination with said temperature sensor such that said sensor is capable of sensing both wet bulb and dry bulb temperatures;
wetting said pad and sensing an indoor wet bulb temperature of the system;
removing or allowing said pad to dry and then using said sensor to sense the outdoor dry bulb temperature;
placing said sensor in direct engagement with the liquid refrigerant line from the condenser coil and sensing the temperature thereof;
and
on the basis of those three sensed temperatures, determining whether the refrigerant charge in the system is adequate.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Single sensor three-step refrigerant charge indicator

Life of this patent

Single sensor three-step refrigerant charge indicator

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14