Apparatus and method for diagnosing performance of air-conditioning systems

• US 20030014218A1
• Filed: 07/08/2002
• Published: 01/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CPS Products Canada Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Uview Ultraviolet Systems Inc. (CPS Products, Inc.)
• Inventors: Trigiani, Phil, Ferraro, Tony
• Granted Patent: US 6,732,538 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/183
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00585 Means for monitoring, testing or servicing the air-conditioning
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/12 of the outside air

Abstract

The present application reveals a simplified method and a device for diagnosing performance of an air-conditioning system. The simplified method comprises determining a temperature differential or differentials between inlet and outlet temperatures of a condenser and/or between ambient and vent temperatures in the air-conditioning system; analyzing the differential or differentials to determine whether the air-conditioning system is properly functioning; and diagnosing performance of the air-conditioning system.

Claims

1. A method for diagnosing performance of an air-conditioning system, comprising the steps of:

a) determining a temperature differential;

1) between inlet and outlet temperatures of a condenser, or

2) between ambient and vent temperatures in the air-conditioning system;

b) analyzing the temperature differential to determine whether the air-conditioning system is properly functioning; and

c) diagnosing performance of the air-conditioning system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a temperature differential of greater than 10°

F. across the condenser is determinative of whether the air-conditioning system is properly functioning.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein a temperature differential of greater than 25°

F. between the ambient and vent temperature is determinative of whether the air-conditioning system is properly functioning.

4. A device for diagnosing performance of an air-conditioning system, comprising:

a) means for determining a temperature differential;

1) between inlet and outlet temperatures of a condenser, or

2) between ambient and vent temperatures in the air-conditioning system;

b) means for analyzing the temperature differential to determine whether the air-conditioning system is properly functioning; and

c) means for diagnosing performance of the air-conditioning system.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein a temperature differential of greater than 10°

F. across the condenser is determinative of whether the air-conditioning system is properly functioning.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein a temperature differential of greater than 25°

F. between the ambient and vent temperature is determinative of whether the air-conditioning system is properly functioning.

7. A method for diagnosing performance of an air-conditioning system, comprising the steps of:

a) determining temperature differentials between inlet and outlet temperatures of a condenser and between ambient and vent temperatures;

b) analyzing the temperature differentials to determine whether the air-conditioning system is properly functioning; and

c) diagnosing performance of the air-conditioning system.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein a temperature differential of greater than 10°

F. across the condenser is determinative of whether the air-conditioning system is properly functioning.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein a temperature differential of greater than 25°

F. between the ambient and vent temperature is determinative of whether the air-conditioning system is properly functioning.

10. A device for diagnosing performance of an air-conditioning system, comprising:

a) means for determining temperature differentials between inlet and outlet temperatures of a condenser and between ambient and vent temperatures;

b) means for analyzing the temperature differentials to determine whether the air-conditioning system is properly functioning; and

c) means for diagnosing performance of the air-conditioning system.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein a temperature differential of greater than 10°

F. across the condenser is determinative of whether the air-conditioning system is properly functioning.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein a temperature differential of greater than 25°

F. between the ambient and vent temperature is determinative of whether the air-conditioning system is properly functioning.

13. A device for verifying a proper heat exchange and overall performance of an air-conditioning system, comprising:

a) means for measuring a temperature differential between ambient and vent temperatures of the air-conditioning system; and

b) means for analyzing the temperature differentials in order to give an indication of performance of the air-conditioning system.