HVAC MONITOR AND SUPERHEAT CALCULATOR SYSTEM

• US 20070205296A1
• Filed: 05/09/2007
• Published: 09/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Stargate International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Stargate International Incorporated
• Inventors: Becker, Hans, Bell, Brian
• Application Number:
  US11/746,436
• Publication Number:
  US 20070205296A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 236/51
• 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 connected to a low pressure side of an evaporator the air conditioning system;

a suction pressure sensor connected to a low pressure side of an evaporator the air conditioning system;

a unit temperature sensor;

a remote sensing device having the ability to transmit information wirelessly to a mobile monitor, the mobile monitor also being in communication with the suction temperature sensor, the suction pressure sensor, the unit temperature sensor; and

wherein the mobile monitor uses at least some of the data gathered from each of 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 includes a magnetic coupling for connection to a conduit of the air conditioning system.

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

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

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the remote sensing device includes a probe for the sensing of temperature and relative humidity.

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

a first means for temperature sensing connected to a low pressure side of an evaporator the air conditioning system;

a means for pressure sensing connected to a low pressure side of an evaporator the air conditioning system;

a second means for temperature sensing for monitoring the temperature of a portion of the air conditioning system that is located on the outside of a structure;

a means for remote sensing that has the ability to transmit information wirelessly to a means for monitoring, the means for monitoring also being in at least one-way communication with the means for first temperature sensing, the means for pressure sensing, the second means for temperature sensing; and

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

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the first means for temperature sensing includes a means for coupling for connection to a conduit of the air conditioning system.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the second means for temperature sensing includes a clamping means.

9. The device of claim 6, wherein the means for pressure sensing connects to the conduit of the air conditioning system with a pressure tap.

10. The device of claim 6, wherein the second means for temperature sensing is connected to an exterior portion of the air conditioner system.

11. The device of claim 6, wherein the means for remote sensing device includes a probe for the sensing of temperature and relative humidity.

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

placing a first temperature sensor adjacent to the evaporator of the air conditioning system;

placing a pressure sensor adjacent to the evaporator of the air conditioning system;

placing a second temperature sensor onto to a housing of the air conditioning system which is located outside of a structure;

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

locating a remote sensing unit that wirelessly communicates with the monitoring device;

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

using the monitoring device to wirelessly receive temperature data from the remote sensing unit; and

using at least some of the data gathered from each of the first temperature sensor, the pressure sensor, the second temperature sensor, and the remote sensing device to obtain a superheat condition of the air conditioning system.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the second temperature sensor is placed adjacent to the exterior portion of the air conditioning system.

14. The method of claim 12, further including diagnosing problems with the air conditioning system and providing information to facilitate repairs thereof.