Refrigerant tracking/leak detection system and method
First Claim
1. A refrigeration system comprising:
- a heat exchanger operable to cool a flow of compressed refrigerant;
a first sensor coupled to the heat exchanger and operable to generate a first signal indicative of a heat exchanger liquid level;
a reservoir in fluid communication with the heat exchanger to receive the flow of cooled compressed refrigerant;
a second sensor coupled to the reservoir and operable to generate a second signal indicative of a reservoir liquid level; and
a processor operable to calculate a first weight of liquid within the heat exchanger in response to the first signal, and to calculate a second weight of liquid within the reservoir in response to the second signal.
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Abstract
A refrigeration system includes a heat exchanger that is operable to cool a flow of compressed refrigerant and a first sensor coupled to the heat exchanger and operable to generate a first signal indicative of a heat exchanger liquid level. A reservoir is in fluid communication with the heat exchanger to receive the flow of cooled compressed refrigerant and a second sensor is coupled to the reservoir and is operable to generate a second signal indicative of a reservoir liquid level. A processor is operable to calculate a first weight of liquid within the heat exchanger in response to the first signal, and to calculate a second weight of liquid within the reservoir in response to the second signal.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A refrigeration system comprising:
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a heat exchanger operable to cool a flow of compressed refrigerant; a first sensor coupled to the heat exchanger and operable to generate a first signal indicative of a heat exchanger liquid level; a reservoir in fluid communication with the heat exchanger to receive the flow of cooled compressed refrigerant; a second sensor coupled to the reservoir and operable to generate a second signal indicative of a reservoir liquid level; and a processor operable to calculate a first weight of liquid within the heat exchanger in response to the first signal, and to calculate a second weight of liquid within the reservoir in response to the second signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 20)
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9. A refrigeration system comprising:
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a compressor operable to deliver a flow of compressed refrigerant; a condenser in fluid communication with the compressor to receive the flow of compressed refrigerant, the condenser operable to cool the flow of compressed refrigerant; a reservoir in fluid communication with the condenser to receive the cooled flow of compressed refrigerant; an evaporator in fluid communication with the reservoir and operable to cool a space in response to the passage of a portion of the cooled flow of compressed refrigerant; a container coupled to and in fluid communication with the reservoir; a first sensor at least partially disposed within the container and operable to generate a first signal indicative of a first liquid level; a second sensor coupled to the reservoir and operable to generate a second signal indicative of a reservoir liquid level; and a processor operable to calculate a total weight of refrigerant in response to the first signal and the second signal, and compare the total weight of refrigerant to a known weight of refrigerant to determine a weight of missing refrigerant. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A refrigeration system comprising:
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a condenser including a first portion and a second portion, each of the first portion and the second portion operable to cool at least a portion of a flow of compressed refrigerant; a first sensor coupled to the first portion and operable to generate a first signal indicative of a first liquid level within the first portion; a second sensor coupled to the second portion and operable to generate a second signal indicative of a second liquid level within the second portion; a reservoir in fluid communication with the condenser to receive the flow of compressed refrigerant; a third sensor coupled to the reservoir and operable to generate a third signal indicative of a third liquid level within the reservoir; and a processor operable to calculate a total weight of refrigerant in response to the first signal, the second signal, and the third signal. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification