Malfunction detection for fan or pump refrigerant system
OwnerAlexander Lifson, Michael F. Tarasinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A diagnostic method for testing a fan or pump assembly in a refrigerant system includes steps of operating a controller to periodically shut down, or reduce fan or pump speed for a short period of time, while continuing to operate the refrigerant system. Changes in an operating condition such as pressure, temperature, electric current or operating speed are monitored. If expected changes do not occur, a determination can be made that a fan or pump assembly is malfunctioning.
Claims26
A refrigerant system comprising:
- a compressor, a condenser downstream of said compressor, an expansion device downstream of said compressor, and an evaporator downstream of said expansion device;
- fluid moving device assemblies associated with both said condenser and said evaporator for moving a secondary fluid over said condenser and said evaporator;
- and
- a control for operating the refrigerant system, said control being programmed to change a speed of operation of a motor associated with at least one of said fluid moving device assemblies for a short period of time, and said control evaluating the change in at least one system operating condition due to said speed change to determine whether said at least one fluid moving device assembly is malfunctioning.
13-17. (canceled)
A method of operating a refrigerant system comprising:
- (1) a compressor, a condenser downstream of said compressor, an expansion device downstream of said compressor, and an evaporator downstream of said expansion device;
- (2) fluid moving device assemblies associated with both said condenser and said evaporator for moving a secondary fluid over said condenser and said evaporator;
- and
- (3) a control for operating the refrigerant system, said control being programmed to change the speed of a motor associated with at least one of said fluid moving device assemblies for a short period of time, and to continue to operate the refrigerant system, said control being provided with feedback of at least one system operating condition during the change of said at least one fluid moving device assembly, and said control evaluating the feedback to determine whether said at least one fluid moving device assembly is malfunctioning.
20-21. (canceled)
26-27. (canceled)
(canceled)
32-35. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.