Compression cooling system and method for evaluating operation thereof

• US 20050229612A1
• Filed: 04/19/2004
• Published: 10/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lennox Manufacturing Inc. (Lennox International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Lennox Manufacturing Inc. (Lennox International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Olsen, Mark William, Hrejsa, Peter Brian
• Application Number:
  US10/827,018
• Publication Number:
  US 20050229612A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/149
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2500/19 Calculation of parameters
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/07 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2700/2116 of a condenser
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2700/21163 of the refrigerant at the outlet of the condenser
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 45/00 Arrangements for charging or discharging refrigerant
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 49/005 of safety devices F25B49/02 and F25B49/04 take precedence

Abstract

A method for evaluating operation of a compression cooling system includes the steps of: (a) in no particular order: (1) measuring a first temperature of the refrigerant in a saturated state; and (2) measuring a second temperature of the refrigerant in a liquid state; and (b) calculating a difference between the first temperature and the second temperature to determine the extant amount of subcooling to which the refrigerant is subjected.

Claims

1. A method for evaluating operation of a compression cooling system;

the method comprising the steps of;

(a) in no particular order;

(1) measuring a first temperature of said refrigerant in a saturated state; and

(2) measuring a second temperature of said refrigerant in a liquid state; and

(b) calculating a difference between said first temperature and said second temperature to determine the extant amount of subcooling to which said refrigerant is subjected.

2. A method for evaluating operation of a compression cooling system as recited in claim 1 wherein the method comprises the further step of:

(c) comparing said extant amount of subcooling with a predetermined acceptable amount of subcooling.

3. A method for evaluating operation of a compression cooling system as recited in claim 2 wherein the method comprises the further step of:

(d) changing amount of refrigerant in said cooling system when said extant amount of subcooling differs from said predetermined acceptable amount of subcooling by greater than a predetermined amount.

4. A method for evaluating operation of a compression cooling system as recited in claim 1 wherein the method comprises the further step of:

(c) adding refrigerant to said cooling system when said extant amount of subcooling is less than a predetermined acceptable amount of subcooling.

5. A method for evaluating operation of a compression cooling system as recited in claim 3 wherein the method comprises the further step of:

(e) repeating steps (a) through (d) until said extant amount of subcooling differs from said predetermined acceptable amount of subcooling by less than said predetermined amount.

6. A method for evaluating operation of a compression cooling system as recited in claim 4 wherein the method comprises the further step of:

(d) repeating steps (a) through (c) until said extant amount of subcooling differs from said predetermined acceptable amount of subcooling by less than a predetermined amount.

7. A method for evaluating refrigerant charge in a compression cooling system;

said system including a first system portion in which said refrigerant is substantially always in a saturated state and a second system portion in which said refrigerant is substantially always in a liquid state;

the method comprising the steps of;

(a) in no particular order;

(1) measuring a first temperature of said refrigerant in said first system portion; and

(2) measuring a second temperature of said refrigerant in said second system portion;

(b) calculating a difference between said first temperature and said second temperature to determine the extant amount of subcooling effected by said system.

8. A method for evaluating refrigerant charge in a compression cooling system as recited in claim 7 wherein the method comprises the further step of:

(c) comparing said extant amount of subcooling with a predetermined acceptable amount of subcooling.

9. A method for evaluating refrigerant charge in a compression cooling system as recited in claim 8 wherein the method comprises the further step of:

(d) changing amount of refrigerant in said cooling system when said extant amount of subcooling differs from said predetermined acceptable amount of subcooling by greater than a predetermined amount.

10. A method for evaluating refrigerant charge in a compression cooling system as recited in claim 7 wherein the method comprises the further step of:

(c) adding refrigerant to said system when said extant amount of subcooling differs from said predetermined acceptable amount of subcooling by less than a predetermined amount.

11. A method for evaluating refrigerant charge in a compression cooling system as recited in claim 9 wherein the method comprises the further step of:

(e) repeating steps (a) through (d) until said extant amount of subcooling differs from said predetermined acceptable amount of subcooling by less than said predetermined amount.

12. A method for evaluating refrigerant charge in a compression cooling system as recited in claim 10 wherein the method comprises the further step of:

(d) repeating steps (a) through (c) until said extant amount of subcooling differs from said predetermined acceptable amount of subcooling by less than a predetermined amount.

13. A compression cooling system comprising:

(a) a compressor, an evaporator and a condenser fluidly coupled by at least one fluid carrying line containing a refrigerant;

(b) a first temperature measuring device connected with said system for measuring a first temperature of said refrigerant in a saturated state; and

(c) a second temperature measuring device connected with said system for measuring a second temperature of said refrigerant in a liquid state.

14. A compression cooling system as recited in claim 13 wherein the system further comprises:

(d) a calculating device coupled with said first temperature measuring device and said second temperature measuring device;

said calculating device calculating a difference between said first temperature and said second temperature to determine an extant amount of subcooling effected by said system.

15. A compression cooling system as recited in claim 14 wherein the system further comprises:

(e) fluid access fittings in said fluid carrying line for effecting fluid communication with the system from without the system;

said fluid access fittings being configured to accommodate a user coupling a refrigerant source with said fittings for changing charge of said refrigerant within said system when said extant amount of subcooling differs from a predetermined acceptable amount of subcooling by greater than a predetermined amount.

16. A compression cooling system as recited in claim 15 wherein said predetermined acceptable amount of subcooling is provided to said user by a tool;

said tool being external of said system.

17. A compression cooling system as recited in claim 15 wherein said predetermined acceptable amount of subcooling is provided to said user by said calculating device.

18. A compression cooling system as recited in claim 13 wherein the system further comprises:

(e) fluid access fittings in said at least one fluid carrying line for effecting fluid communication with the system from without the system;

said fluid access fittings being configured to accommodate a user coupling a refrigerant source with said fittings for changing charge of said refrigerant within said system when said extant amount of subcooling differs from a predetermined acceptable amount of subcooling by greater than a predetermined amount.