Mobile HVAC cavity test device, method, and computer product

• US 7,010,464 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2002
• Issued: 03/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schneider Automation Incorporated (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Schneider Automation Incorporated (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Bell, Robert J., Kuzala, John L., Wertham, Mark E., Horvath, Paul G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tsai, Carol S. W.
• Application Number:
  US10/193,074
• Publication Number:
  US 20030061866A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,335 Days
• Field of Search: 702/12, 702 30- 33, 702 44- 47, 702/50, 702/55, 702/98, 702/100, 702/106, 702/118, 702/126, 702/182, 702/183, 702/186, 702/188, 702FOR 12-128, 702FOR 134-137, 702/FOR.155, 702FOR 170-171, 222/1, 222/14, 222/36, 222/37, 222/63, 222/55, 73/11.6, 73/13.5, 73/190.4, 73/190.5, 73/232.4, 73/300.3, 73/530.4, 73/540.7, 73/541.3, 73/616.4, 73/617.3, 738/62, 733/23, 731/521.8, 731/522.1, 731/522.2, 731/522.9, 738/61, 738/630.2
• US Class Current: 702/186
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00585 Means for monitoring, testing or servicing the air-conditioning
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 17/00 Methods or apparatus for determining the capacity of containers or cavities, or the volume of solid bodies measuring linear dimensions to determine volume G01B

Abstract

A mobile testing apparatus, method, and computer product that performs high speed testing of mobile pressure devices using high speed totalization, where testing of multiple devices may be done concurrently. Test results are communicated to a central console using a variety of communication methods, including wireless, and the testing apparatus and method is robust and reliable despite the occurrence of transient communication failures, because the test apparatus and method may operate independently of central control.

Claims

1. A mobile test apparatus, comprising:

a mass flow measuring device, a high speed totalizer connected to said mass flow measuring device, and a software-based controller mechanically connected to the mobile test apparatus, wherein the mass flow measuring device is configured to measure gaseous media mass flow and to produce gaseous mass flow signals, wherein the high speed totalizer is configured to totalize said gaseous mass flow signals, and wherein the software-based controller is configured to control at least said mass flow measuring device and said high speed totalizer, and to communicate with a remote central control apparatus.

2. The mobile test apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said software-based controller is configured to communicate using at least one of wireless, fiberoptic, and wire communications.

3. The mobile test apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said software-based controller is configured to store a plurality of test results for subsequent transmission.

4. The mobile test apparatus recited in claim 1, further comprising a high speed voltage to frequency converter connecting said mass flow measuring device and said high speed totalizer, and configured to convert said gaseous mass flow signals to gaseous mass flow frequency signals.

5. The mobile test apparatus recited in claim 1, further comprising a vacuum pressure regulator coupled to said mass flow measuring device.

6. A mobile test apparatus, comprising:

means for measuring gaseous media mass flow and for producing gaseous mass flow data signals;

means for converting said gaseous mass data signals to mass flow frequency signals;

means for high speed totalizing of said gaseous mass flow frequency signals;

means for controlling at least said means for measuring gaseous mass flow, said means for converting, and said means for high speed totalizing,

wherein said means for controlling is configured to communicate with a test management console using wireless communications.

7. A test method for concurrently testing mobile devices, comprising steps of:

measuring a mass flow of gaseous media mass flow at the mobile device;

producing gaseous mass flow signals based on the measured mass flow at the mobile device; and

totalizing said plurality of gaseous mass flow signals at the mobile device, wherein the step of totalizing is performed by a high speed totalizer controlled by a software-based controller in communication with a remote central control apparatus.

8. The method recited in claim 7, further comprising controlling with a software-based controller at the mobile device at least one of said measuring step, said producing step, and said totalizing step;

and communicating with a remote control device.

9. The method recited in claim 7, further comprising storing a plurality of test results for subsequent transmission.

10. The method recited in claim 7, wherein said devices include pressure cavities.