Method and apparatus for electronically pressure sealing and leak testing an idle centrifugal chiller system
AssigneeMechanical Ingenuity Corp.
InventorsPeter J. Manning, Joshua D. Costell, Howard L. Beckerman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for electronically pressure sealing and leak testing an idle centrifugal chiller system wherein a small positive differential is maintained between the internal refrigerant vessel pressure of the chiller system and the ambient atmosphere. This differential pressure is maintained by selectively applying heat to the refrigerant.
Claims14
A method for preventing the infiltration of moisture and air from the ambient atmosphere into the refrigerant vessel of an idle low refrigerant pressure centrifugal chiller system, comprising the steps of:
- providing an electrical signal corresponding to the differential between the internal refrigerant vessel pressure and the ambient atmosphere;
- providing a reference electrical signal corresponding to a desired differential pressure;
- comparing said electrical signal with said reference electrical signal;
- providing a third electrical signal corresponding to the difference between said electrical signal and said reference electrical signal as determined by said comparing step;
- and
- selectively applying heat to said refrigerant vessel so as to minimize said third electrical signal.
A system for preventing the infiltration of moisture and air from the ambient atmosphere into the refrigerant vessel of an idle low pressure refrigerant centrifugal chiller system, comprising:
- pressure sensor means for providing a first electrical signal corresponding to the differential between the internal refrigerant vessel pressure and the ambient atmosphere;
- reference means for providing a second electrical signal corresponding to a desired value of said differential pressure;
- comparison means arranged to receive said first and second electrical signals for providing a third electrical signal corresponding to the difference between said first and second electrical signals;
- and
- heating means utilizing said third electrical signal for selectively applying heat to said refrigerant vessel so as to maintain said third electrical signal at a predetermined level.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.