Apparatus and method for diagnosing performance of air-conditioning systems

• US 7,146,290 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2003
• Issued: 12/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: CPS Products Canada Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Uview Ultraviolet Systems Inc. (CPS Products, Inc.)
• Inventors: Triginai, Phil, Waters, William Frederick, Ferraro, Tony
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoff, Marc S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Charioui, Mohamed
• Application Number:
  US10/374,006
• Publication Number:
  US 20030158704A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,379 Days
• Field of Search: 702/99, 702/104, 702/116, 702/118, 702130-132, 702/136, 702/188, 702182-185, 621/29, 621/30, 621/37, 621/71, 621/27, 361/700, 361/704, 710/15, 236/51, 362/700, 362/704
• US Class Current: 702/182
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00585 Means for monitoring, testing or servicing the air-conditioning
• 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 11/49 ensuring correct operation, e.g. by trial operation or configuration checks
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/12 of the outside air

Abstract

The present application reveals a device for verifying a proper heat exchange and overall performance of an air-conditioning system. The device includes means for measuring a temperature differential between ambient and vent temperatures of the air-conditioning system, where the means comprises at least two remote probes for measuring the ambient and vent temperatures, or a remote ambient probe for measuring ambient temperatures and an integral vent probe for measuring vent temperatures; and means for analyzing the temperature differential in order to give an indication of performance of the air-conditioning system.

Claims

1. A device for verifying a proper heat exchange and overall performance of an air-conditioning system, comprising:

a) a manually operated means for measuring a temperature differential between ambient and vent temperatures of the air-conditioning system, wherein said means comprises;

a probe for measuring the ambient temperature and at least one probe for measuring vent temperatures, wherein at least one of the probes is connected to a portable housing through a cable connection; and

b) a battery powered and manually controlled means housed in the portable housing for analyzing the temperature differential and giving a visual indication of performance of the air-conditioning system.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein a probe is integrated into the housing.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the probe for measuring ambient temperature is integrated into the housing.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein a temperature differential of greater than 25°

π

F. between the ambient and vent temperature is determinative of whether the air-conditioning system is properly functioning.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising means to automatically adjust the temperature differential for changing ambient temperatures using an algorithm, thereby changing a pass/fail indication point.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising an LCD display.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one LED.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the visual display provides an indication of either a pass or fail diagnosis.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least three LEDs.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the visual indication includes either a pass, acceptable or fail indication.

11. A device for verifying a proper heat exchange and overall performance of an air-conditioning system, comprising:

a) a manually operated means for measuring a temperature differential between ambient and vent temperatures of the air-conditioning system, wherein said means comprises;

a probe for measuring the ambient temperature and at least one probe for measuring vent temperatures, wherein at least one of the probes is connected to a portable housing through a cable connection; and

b) a manually controlled means housed by the portable housing for analyzing the temperature differential and giving a visual indication of performance of the air-conditioning system.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein a temperature differential of greater than 25°

F. between the ambient and vent temperature is determinative of whether the air-conditioning system is properly functioning.

13. The device of claim 12, further comprising means to automatically adjust the temperature differential for changing ambient temperatures using an algorithm, thereby changing a pass/fail indication point.

14. The device of claim 11, further comprising an LCD readout for displaying the temperatures.

15. The device of claim 11, further comprising at least one LED.

16. The device of claim 11, further comprising means for indicating a pass/fail diagnosis.

17. The device of claim 11, further comprising at least three LEDs.

18. The device of claim 11, further comprising means for indicating a pass/acceptable/fail diagnosis.

19. A device for verifying a proper heat exchange and overall performance of an air-conditioning system, comprising:

a) a manually operated means for measuring a temperature differential between ambient and vent temperatures of the air-conditioning system, wherein said means comprises;

a probe for measuring the ambient temperature and at least one probe for measuring vent temperatures, wherein at least one of the probes is integral with a portable housing; and

b) a manually controlled means housed in the portable housing for analyzing the temperature differential and giving a visual indication of performance of the air-conditioning system.