HVAC monitor and superheat calculator system

• US 20060090484A1
• Filed: 11/02/2004
• Published: 05/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stargate International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Stargate International Incorporated
• Inventors: Becker, Hans, Bell, Brian D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,234,313 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/129
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/38 Failure diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/49 ensuring correct operation, e.g. by trial operation or configuration checks
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2500/19 Calculation of parameters
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/07 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2700/02 Humidity
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2700/1933 Suction pressures
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2700/21151 at the suction side of the compressor
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2700/21172 at the inlet
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2700/21175 of the refrigerant at the outlet of the evaporator
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 49/005 of safety devices F25B49/02 and F25B49/04 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/02 for measuring temperature of moving fluids or granular materials capable of flow
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 2201/00 Application of thermometers in air-conditioning systems

Abstract

The present invention relates to a monitoring system for connection to an air conditioning system. The monitoring system includes a primary monitor for sensing the suction temperature and suction pressure of the air conditioning system along with the air conditioning unit temperature. In addition, the monitoring system includes a remote sensing device that is placed in the structure to monitor and transmit return air temperature and relative humidity to the primary monitor. The collected data is then used to calculate the superheat condition of the air conditioning system which is related to its efficiency.

Claims

1. An air conditioning system monitor and superheat calculation device comprising:

a suction temperature sensor;

a suction pressure sensor;

a unit temperature sensor;

a remote sensing device having the ability to transmit information;

a monitoring device in communication with the suction temperature sensor, the suction pressure sensor, the unit temperature sensor, and the remote sensing device; and

wherein the monitoring device uses at least some data gathered from the suction temperature sensor, the suction pressure sensor, the unit temperature sensor, and the remote sensing device and outputs a superheat condition of the air conditioning system.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the suction temperature sensor is connected to a low pressure side of an evaporator the air conditioning system.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the suction pressure sensor is connected to a low pressure side of an evaporator the air conditioning system.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the unit temperature system is connected to an exterior portion of the air conditioner system.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the remote sensing device includes at least one probe that may be situated in the warm return air flow of the air conditioning system.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein remote sensing device is connected to the at least one probe with a line.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the probe is capable of sensing at least one of a temperature and a relative humidity of the return air.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the monitoring device includes a display screen that shows the user at least one of a refrigerant type, a superheat temperature, and a diagnosis of a possible problem.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the remote sensing device transmits data to the monitoring device with radio waves.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the monitoring device includes a user interface for the input and selective access of data.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the remote sensing device includes at least one auxiliary port for the connection of a sensing device.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the suction temperature sensor includes a magnetic coupling for connection to a conduit of the air conditioning system.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the unit temperature sensor includes a clamp.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the suction pressure sensor connects to the conduit to the air conditioning system with a pressure tap.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the monitoring device stores at least some data gathered from the suction temperature sensor, the suction pressure sensor, the unit temperature sensor, and the remote sensing device.

16. An air conditioning system monitor and superheat calculation device comprising:

a first temperature sensing means;

a pressure sensing means;

a second temperature sensing means;

a remote sensing means that has the ability to transmit information;

a monitoring means in at least one-way communication with the first temperature sensing means, the pressure sensing means, the second temperature sensing means, and the remote sensing means; and

wherein the monitoring means uses at least some data gathered from the first temperature sensing means, the pressure sensing means, the second temperature sensing means, and the remote sensing means and outputs at least a superheat condition of the air conditioning system.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the monitoring means includes a display means that shows the user at least one of a refrigerant type, a superheat temperature, and a diagnosis of a possible problem.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein remote sensing means is connected to at least one probe.

19. The device of claim 16, wherein the remote sensing means communicates with the monitoring means with radio waves.

20. The device of claim 16, wherein the monitoring means includes an interface means for the input and selective access of data.

21. The device of claim 16, wherein the remote sensing means includes at least one auxiliary port for the connection of a sensing means.

22. The device of claim 16, wherein the first temperature sensing means includes a coupling means for connection to a conduit of the air conditioning system.

23. The device of claim 16, wherein the second temperature sensing means includes a clamping means.

24. The device of claim 16, wherein the pressure sensing means connects to the conduit to the air conditioning system with a pressure tap.

25. The device of claim 16, wherein the remote sensing means is capable of sensing at least one of a temperature and a relative humidity of warm return air of the air conditioning system.

26. The device of claim 16, wherein the first temperature sensing means is connected to a low pressure side of an evaporator the air conditioning system.

27. The device of claim 16, wherein the pressure sensing means is connected to a low pressure side of an evaporator the air conditioning system.

28. The device of claim 16, wherein the second temperature sensing means is connected to an exterior portion of the air conditioner system.

29. The device of claim 16, wherein the remote sensing means is situated in the warm return air flow of the air conditioning system.

30. The device of claim 16, the monitoring means stores at least some data gathered from the first temperature sensing means, the pressure sensing means, the second temperature sensing means, and the remote sensing means.

31. A method of monitoring the efficiency of an air conditioning system comprising:

placing a remote sensing unit;

placing a first temperature sensor;

placing a pressure sensor;

placing a second temperature sensor;

connecting the first temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor, and pressure sensor to a monitoring device;

using the monitoring device to obtain temperature and sensor readings directly from the first temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor, and pressure sensor to a monitoring device; and

using the monitoring device to receive temperature data from the remote sensing unit.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising using the monitoring device to perform a superheat calculation.

33. The method of claim 31, further comprising using the monitoring device to display at least one of the readings gathered, a calculation related thereto, and a possible diagnosis related to the air conditioning system.

34. The method of claim 31, further comprising transferring the gathered data to a computing unit.

35. The method of claim 31, wherein the first temperature sensor is placed adjacent to the evaporator of the air conditioning system.

36. The method of claim 31, wherein the pressure sensor is placed adjacent to the evaporator of the air conditioning system.

37. The method of claim 31, wherein the second temperature sensor is placed adjacent to the exterior portion of the air conditioning system.

38. The method of claim 31, wherein the remote sensing unit includes a sensing probe adjacent that is placed in the warm return air flow of the air conditioning system.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the sensing probe is capable of sensing at least one of the relative humidity and temperature of the return air flow.