Method and system for assessing a refrigerant charge level in a vehicle air conditioning system
First Claim
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1. A system for assessing a refrigerant charge level in a vehicle air conditioning system, the system comprising:
- a first sensor for providing a cooled air temperature signal;
a second sensor for providing an ambient air temperature signal;
a third sensor for providing an ambient air humidity signal;
a fourth sensor for providing a compressor cycling signal;
a processing module for determining a refrigerant charge level as a function of signals from the first, second, third, and fourth sensors; and
an indicator for indicating that the level of refrigerant charge is acceptable if the refrigerant charge level is greater than a threshold value.
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Abstract
A method and system for assessing a level of refrigerant in a vehicle air conditioning system. A refrigerant charge value is determined as a function of ambient air temperature, ambient air humidity, conditioned air temperature, and compressor cycling signals. The refrigerant charge value is compared to a threshold value to determine whether the level of refrigerant is acceptable.
74 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for assessing a refrigerant charge level in a vehicle air conditioning system, the system comprising:
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a first sensor for providing a cooled air temperature signal; a second sensor for providing an ambient air temperature signal; a third sensor for providing an ambient air humidity signal; a fourth sensor for providing a compressor cycling signal; a processing module for determining a refrigerant charge level as a function of signals from the first, second, third, and fourth sensors; and an indicator for indicating that the level of refrigerant charge is acceptable if the refrigerant charge level is greater than a threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of assessing a level of refrigerant charge in a vehicle air conditioning system with a refrigerant assessment system, the vehicle air conditioning system including a refrigerant subsystem having a compressor adapted to circulate a refrigerant and an air handling subsystem for providing air cooled by the refrigerant subsystem to a vehicle passenger compartment, and the refrigerant assessment system including a control module adapted to receive a first signal indicative of a cooled air temperature, a second signal indicative of an ambient air temperature, a third signal indicative of an ambient air humidity, and a fourth signal indicative of cycling of the compressor between engaged and disengaged states, the method comprising the steps of:
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calculating as a function of the first, second, third, and fourth signals a refrigerant charge value indicative of an amount of refrigerant in the vehicle air conditioning system; determining whether the refrigerant charge value exceeds a threshold value indicative of a desired refrigerant charge amount; and signaling that the level of refrigerant is acceptable if the refrigerant charge value is greater than the threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of assessing a level of refrigerant in an air conditioning system disposed in a vehicle, the vehicle having an engine, a compressor having a clutch and adapted to be driven by the engine and circulate a refrigerant to provide a cooling effect when the clutch is engaged, a duct for providing air cooled by the refrigerant to a vehicle passenger compartment, a first signal indicative of a cooled air temperature, a second signal indicative of an ambient air temperature, a third signal indicative of an ambient air humidity, and a fourth signal indicative of engagement of the clutch, the method comprising the steps of:
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calculating as a function of the first, second, third, and fourth signals a refrigerant charge value indicative of an amount of refrigerant in the air conditioning system; determining whether the refrigerant charge value exceeds a threshold value indicative of a desired amount of refrigerant in the air conditioning system; and signaling that the level of refrigerant is acceptable if the threshold value is exceeded. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification