# US 9,435,576 B1 · Cost-effective remote monitoring diagnostic and system health prediction system and method for vapor compression and heat pump units based on compressor discharge line temperature sampling

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- Number: US 9,435,576 B1
- Document ID: US9435576B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 15/066,299
- Filed: 2016-03-10
- Granted: 2016-09-06
- Earliest claimed: 2015-07-09
- Assignees: Mainstream Engineering Corporation
- Applicants: Robert P. Scaringe; Robert Paul Roth; Erik P. Thomas; Chad L. Carff
- Inventors: Robert P. Scaringe; Robert Paul Roth; Daniel Lambert; Erik P. Thomas; Chad L. Carff
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9435576B1

## CPC

- G08B 21/187: {Machine fault alarms}
- A61K 48/00: Medicinal preparations containing genetic material which is inserted into cells of the living body to treat genetic diseases; Gene therapy
- F24F 11/30: for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
- F24F 11/36: to leakage of heat-exchange fluid
- F24F 11/38: Failure diagnosis
- F24F 11/58: using Internet communication
- F24F 11/62: characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
- F24F 11/63: Electronic processing
- F25B 49/005: {of safety devices (F25B49/02 and F25B49/04 take precedence)}
- F25B 49/02: for compression type machines, plants or systems
- F25B 49/022: {Compressor control arrangements}
- G06N 5/04: Inference or reasoning models
- F24F 2140/00: Control inputs relating to system states
- F25B 49/027: {Condenser control arrangements}
- F25B 2345/003: Control issues for charging or collecting refrigerant to or from a cycle
- F25B 2500/07: Exceeding a certain pressure value in a refrigeration component or cycle
- F25B 2500/08: Exceeding a certain temperature value in a refrigeration component or cycle
- F25B 2500/222: Detecting refrigerant leaks
- F25B 2500/24: Low amount of refrigerant in the system
- F25B 2600/05: Refrigerant levels
- F25B 2600/07: Remote controls
- F25B 2600/19: Refrigerant outlet condenser temperature
- F25B 2700/04: Refrigerant level
- F25B 2700/151: of the compressor motor
- F25B 2700/2102: at the outlet of the gas cooler
- F25B 2700/2106: of fresh outdoor air
- F25B 2700/21151: at the suction side of the compressor
- F25B 2700/21152: at the discharge side of the compressor
- F25B 2700/2116: of a condenser
- F25B 2700/21162: of the refrigerant at the inlet of the condenser
- F25B 2700/21163: of the refrigerant at the outlet of the condenser
- G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- A61K: PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES (devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms A61J3/00; chemical aspects of, or use of materials for deodorisation of air, for disinfection or sterilisation, or for bandages, dressings, absorbent pads or surgical articles A61L; soap compositions C11D)
- F24F: AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING (removing dirt or fumes from areas where they are produced B08B15/00; vertical ducts for carrying away waste gases from buildings E04F17/02; tops for chimneys or ventilating shafts, terminals for flues F23L17/02)
- F25B: REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- G06N: COMPUTING ARRANGEMENTS BASED ON SPECIFIC COMPUTATIONAL MODELS

## Abstract

A diagnostic monitoring system and method is employed for one or more vapor compression systems such as air conditioners and heat pumps having a compressor, an indoor air handler fan coil and an outdoor condensor. Temperature, voltage and current sensors are provided at the outdoor condensor to determine that at least one vapor compression system is operating properly. Data obtained from the sensors is wirelessly transmitted to a receiving-device for use by the systems' custodian or repair service provider and includes information concerning an occurrence of periods when one or more of the vapor compression systems are operating at an abnormal state.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of detecting that a complete loss of condenser air flow has occurred in at least one vapor compression or heat pump unit having a compressor and a condenser, comprising monitoring one of existing compressor high current safety shut-off and high condenser saturation temperature, and, when the unit shuts off at least three times resulting from consecutive short cycles, checking a condenser liquid line temperature to determine if the liquid line temperature is at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit above a previously recorded baseline condenser liquid line temperature.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein an occurrence of periods when the unit is operating with a loss of condenser air flow is transmitted to at least one of the unit's owner and a repair service provider.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the step of monitoring is effected by monitoring one of the temperature and corresponding saturation pressure via a high pressure shut-off.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the three consecutive short cycles can occur within a 5-minute period.