Pre-trip diagnostic methods for a temperature control unit
First Claim
1. A method of performing a diagnostic check on a temperature control unit, the method comprising:
- initiating a first operation of the unit;
monitoring at least one function of the unit during the first operation;
storing information relating to the at least one monitored function of the unit from the first operation;
determining from the information relating to the at least one monitored function whether the unit has at least one malfunction during the first operation;
setting a flag to one of a first setting and a second setting during the first operation, the flag being set to the first setting if the unit has no malfunction during the first operation and the flag being set to the second setting if the unit has at least one malfunction during the first operation;
terminating the first operation of the unit;
enabling the diagnostic check after termination of the first operation when the flag is set to the first setting; and
enabling a second operation of the unit if the diagnostic check does not determine that the unit has a malfunction that prevents the diagnostic check from completing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods of diagnosing a temperature control unit and methods of performing a diagnostic check on a temperature control unit. The methods generally include monitoring at least one function of the temperature control unit, storing information relating to the at least one monitored function, determining from the information relating to the at least one monitored function whether the unit has a malfunction. Some methods generally include setting a flag to one of a first setting and a second setting, the flag being set to the first setting if the unit has no malfunction and the flag being set to the second setting if the unit has at least one malfunction, and enabling the diagnostic check when the flag is set to the first setting. Some methods generally include enabling at least one of a first diagnostic check and a second diagnostic check on the unit, the first diagnostic check being enabled if the unit has no malfunction and the second diagnostic check being enabled whether the unit has no malfunction or at least one malfunction, wherein the first diagnostic check consumes a shorter period of time to successfully complete than the second diagnostic check.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method of performing a diagnostic check on a temperature control unit, the method comprising:
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initiating a first operation of the unit; monitoring at least one function of the unit during the first operation; storing information relating to the at least one monitored function of the unit from the first operation; determining from the information relating to the at least one monitored function whether the unit has at least one malfunction during the first operation; setting a flag to one of a first setting and a second setting during the first operation, the flag being set to the first setting if the unit has no malfunction during the first operation and the flag being set to the second setting if the unit has at least one malfunction during the first operation; terminating the first operation of the unit; enabling the diagnostic check after termination of the first operation when the flag is set to the first setting; and enabling a second operation of the unit if the diagnostic check does not determine that the unit has a malfunction that prevents the diagnostic check from completing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of diagnosing a temperature control unit, the method comprising:
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initiating operation of the unit; monitoring at least one function of the unit during operation of the unit; storing information relating to the at least one monitored function of the unit from the operation of the unit; determining from the information relating to the at least one function whether the unit has at least one malfunction during the operation of the unit; terminating operation of the unit; and enabling at least one of a first diagnostic check and a second diagnostic check on the unit after termination of operation of the unit, the first diagnostic check being enabled if the unit had no malfunction during operation of the unit and the second diagnostic check being enabled whether the unit had no malfunction or the unit had at least one malfunction during operation of the unit, wherein the first diagnostic check consumes a shorter period of time to successfully complete than the second diagnostic check. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method of diagnosing a temperature control unit, the method comprising:
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initiating a first operation of the unit; monitoring a control temperature sensor of the unit during the first operation; storing a control sensor reference temperature of the control sensor from the first operation; determining an appropriate temperature change and an appropriate time period based on the control sensor reference temperature; determining whether the unit changes the control sensor temperature the appropriate temperature change within the appropriate time period, the unit having a malfunction if the control sensor temperature does not change the appropriate temperature change within the appropriate time period, and the unit not having a malfunction if the control sensor temperature changes the appropriate temperature change within the appropriate time period; terminating the first operation of the unit; enabling one of a first diagnostic check and a second diagnostic check after termination of the first operation of the unit, based on whether the unit had a malfunction during the first operation, wherein the first diagnostic check is enabled when the unit had no malfunction during the first operation and wherein the second diagnostic check is enabled whether the unit had no malfunction or at least one malfunction during the first operation, the first diagnostic check only checking cooling and heating operations of the unit and the second diagnostic check checking more than the cooling and heating operations of the unit; initiating the one of the first diagnostic check and the second diagnostic check; and initiating a second operation of the unit if the unit does not have a malfunction that prevented the one of the first diagnostic check and the second diagnostic check from successfully completing. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification