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US 5,357,782 AGranted
Leak detection in heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems using an environmentally safe material
AssigneeAdvanced Research Technologies
InventorRichard G. Henry
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Refrigerant leakage in heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems employing hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants is determined by adding a mixture of predetermined amounts of a naphthalamide optical brightener with an appropriate lubricant to the system. Inspection of the system under ultraviolet light provides an indication of any leakage occurring in the system of liquid and/or gas.
Claims8
A method of detecting leaks in heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems employing hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants and a refrigerant lubricant comprising the steps of:
- preparing a mixture of naphthalamide as a fluorescent optical brightener with a refrigerant lubricant;
- adding a predetermined amount of the mixture to the lubricant reservoir of the heating, ventilating and air conditioning system employing a refrigerant liquid consisting of a hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant and a refrigerant lubricant;
- operating the system for a predetermined period to allow the mixture to thoroughly mix with the refrigerant liquid throughout the system;
- examining the system with an ultraviolet lamp directed at the system;
- determining the presence of a leak by the presence of a colored fluorescence detectable under the ultraviolet light;
- and said naphthalamide and refrigerant lubricant appearing at a leak sight remaining to provide an indication of said leak.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.