Predictive maintenance method and apparatus for hvacr systems
OwnerJohn F. Justakinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A predictive maintenance method and apparatus for HVACR systems including a sensor capable of detecting the presence of a gaseous phase in the refrigerant fluid at a location wherein solely liquid phase should be present if the system is functioning properly.
Claims20
Apparatus for use in a heating, ventilation, air-conditioning or refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator interconnected by a line having an interior within which a refrigerant fluid circulates, said apparatus comprising:
- an optical aperture formed in said line at a location between said condenser and said expansion valve;
- an emitter operative to direct radiant energy through said optical aperture into said interior of said line at a wavelength that can be transmitted through said refrigerant flowing through said line without being completely absorbed;
- a detector operative to produce a first signal upon sensing said radiant energy that is not absorbed by said refrigerant fluid when said refrigerant fluid is in liquid phase, said detector being operative to produce a second signal upon sensing said radiant energy that is not absorbed by said refrigerant fluid when said refrigerant fluid is in both liquid phase and gaseous phase;
- a controller coupled to said detector and to said emitter, said controller being effective to provide a warning indication upon receipt of said second signal from said detector.
A refrigerant system, comprising:
- a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator interconnected by a line having an interior within which a refrigerant fluid is circulated, said refrigerant fluid being substantially in liquid phase when flowing between said condenser and said expansion valve;
- a sensor connected to said line between said condenser and said expansion valve, said sensor including:
- (i) an optical aperture;
- (ii) an emitter operative to direct radiant energy through said optical aperture into said interior of said line at a wavelength that can be transmitted through said refrigerant flowing through said line without being completely absorbed;
- (iii) a detector operative to produce a first signal upon sensing said radiant energy that is not absorbed by said refrigerant fluid when said refrigerant fluid is in liquid phase, said detector being operative to produce a second signal upon sensing said radiant energy that is not absorbed by said refrigerant fluid when said refrigerant fluid is in both liquid and gaseous phase;
- a controller coupled to said detector device and to said emitter device, said controller being effective to provide a warning indication upon receipt of said second signal from said detector;
A method of detecting a malfunction in a heating, ventilation, air-conditioning or refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator interconnected by a line having an interior within which a refrigerant fluid is circulated, comprising:
- (a) positioning a sensor having an optical aperture, an emitter and a detector in the line at a location between the condenser and the expansion valve;
- (b) operating the emitter to introduce radiant energy through the optical aperture and into the interior of the line at a wavelength that is not completely absorbed by the refrigerant fluid;
- (c) operating the detector to detect the radiant energy not absorbed by the refrigerant fluid and to produce a first signal in the event the refrigerant fluid is substantially in liquid phase;
- (d) operating the detector to detect the radiant energy not absorbed by the refrigerant fluid and to produce a second signal in the event the refrigerant fluid is a mixture of liquid phase and gaseous phase;
- (e) generating a warning indication upon the production of a second signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.