Apparatus and method for providing low refrigerant charge detection
First Claim
1. An apparatus for providing low refrigerant charge detection in a refrigeration system charged with a refrigerant and having a compressor with an inlet for receiving the refrigerant, the apparatus comprising:
- means for sensing one of an operating and a non-operating states of the compressor;
means for measuring refrigerant pressure at the inlet of the compressor;
means for measuring ambient air temperature; and
means for indicating very low refrigerant charge not detected when(i) the compressor is sensed in the non-operating state, and(ii) the measured refrigerant pressure is greater than a pressure value that is a predetermined function of the measured ambient air temperature.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a refrigeration system, an apparatus and method for providing low refrigerant charge detection before and during compressor operation. For detection before compressor operation, a very low refrigerant charge condition is indicated if the measured refrigerant pressure at the inlet of the compressor is too low based on a comparison of the measured pressure and a reference pressure related to the saturation pressure at the measured ambient temperature. If a low refrigerant charge condition is detected, the compressor may be inhibited from operating. If the system is stable with compressor non-operation, a warning also occurs. While the compressor is operating, a moderately low refrigerant charge condition is detected if the measured refrigerant temperature at the inlet of the compressor is too high based on a comparison of the measured temperature and a reference temperature related to the saturation temperature of the refrigerant for the measured refrigerant pressure. If a moderately low refrigerant charge condition is detected, two levels of warning can occur, for servicing and for indicating a severe condition so compressor operation may be disabled, depending on the discrepancy.
109 Citations
10 Claims
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1. An apparatus for providing low refrigerant charge detection in a refrigeration system charged with a refrigerant and having a compressor with an inlet for receiving the refrigerant, the apparatus comprising:
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means for sensing one of an operating and a non-operating states of the compressor; means for measuring refrigerant pressure at the inlet of the compressor; means for measuring ambient air temperature; and means for indicating very low refrigerant charge not detected when (i) the compressor is sensed in the non-operating state, and (ii) the measured refrigerant pressure is greater than a pressure value that is a predetermined function of the measured ambient air temperature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for providing low refrigerant charge detection in a refrigeration system charged with a refrigerant and having a compressor with an inlet for receiving the refrigerant, the method comprising the steps of:
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sensing one of an operating and a non-operating states of the compressor; measuring refrigerant pressure at the inlet of the compressor; measuring ambient air temperature; and indicating very low refrigerant charge not detected when (i) the compressor is sensed in the non-operating state, and (ii) the measured refrigerant pressure is greater than a pressure value that is a predetermined function of the measured ambient air temperature. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification