A/C service tool controller

• US 8,406,931 B2
• Filed: 12/31/2009
• Issued: 03/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Service Solutions US LLC (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Service Solutions US LLC (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Inventors: McMasters, Mark, Schoenoff, Michael, Brown, William
• Primary Examiner(s): Bahta, Kidest
• Application Number:
  US12/651,045
• Publication Number:
  US 20110160918A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,181 Days
• Field of Search: 700/282, 700/276, 700/83, 700/66, 700/26, 700/19, 700/17, 700/9, 236/51
• US Class Current: 700/282
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/36 to leakage of heat-exchange fluid
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2345/001 Charging refrigerant to a cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2345/003 Control issues for charging or collecting refrigerant to or from a cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 45/00 Arrangements for charging or discharging refrigerant
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 16/20 characterised by the use of electric means

Abstract

An apparatus for automated control of A/C service tools for use during A/C servicing tasks. The apparatus including hardware and software to run the automation programs, connectors to connect with the service tools to allow passage of vapors and liquids between the service tools and the A/C system, and power ports to plug the service tools into the apparatus so that it may control the power to the service tools. Further, the apparatus may include sensors and valves so that it might sense pressure within a system of connected service tools and the A/C system, and so that it might be able to control the flow of vapors and liquids between components of the system based on the automation programs and the readings from the sensors.

Claims

1. An A/C service tool controller for connecting to an A/C system and A/C service tools via connecting conduits and controlling A/C service tasks involving the A/C system and the A/C service tools, comprising:

a memory configured to store instructions for running the A/C service tool controller;

a processor communicatively connected to the memory and configured to access and execute the instructions;

a manifold having a plurality of connectors configured to attach to the connecting conduits leading to the A/C system and the A/C service tools;

a valve configured to control a flow of substances though the manifold;

a pressure sensor communicatively connected to the processor and configured to sense a pressure within the manifold;

a power port communicatively connected to the processor and configured to accept a power plug of the A/C service tools; and

a display communicatively connected to the processor configured to display information.

2. The A/C service tool controller of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor is a pressure switch.

3. The A/C service tool controller of claim 1, wherein the valve is an electronically controlled solenoid valve communicatively connected to the processor.

4. The A/C service tool controller of claim 1, wherein the display is a digital display.

5. The A/C service tool controller of claim 1, wherein the display is further configured to display state indicators of the A/C service tools.

6. The A/C service tool controller of claim 1 further comprising:

a connector configured to accept a float cable connector of a refrigerant tank and receive a signal indicating that the refrigerant tank is full.

7. The A/C service tool controller of claim 1 further comprising:

a data port configured to accept a data connector of the A/C service tools or the A/C system.

8. The A/C service tool controller of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to receive signals from the pressure sensor, control an output of the power port, and control a state of the valve.

9. The A/C service tool controller of claim 1, further comprising:

an input device communicatively connected to the processor and configured to manipulate settings of the A/C service tool controller.

10. The A/C service tool controller of claim 9, wherein the display is further configured to display a menu driven user interface configured to be controlled via interaction with the input device to manipulate the settings of the A/C service tool controller.

11. A method of automatically controlling A/C service tasks involving A/C service tools and an A/C system via an A/C service tool controller, comprising the steps of:

sensing a pressure in the A/C service tool controller;

controlling power to a power port of the A/C service tool controller based at least in part on the sensed pressure;

for powering the A/C service tools;

adjusting valves in the A/C service tool controller;

based at least in part on the sensed pressure and

displaying pressure sensing readings on a display.

12. The method of automatically controlling A/C service tasks of claim 11 further comprising the step:

receiving a signal from the A/C service tools.

13. The method of automatically controlling A/C service tasks of claim 12, wherein the step of adjusting the valves in the A/C service tool controller further comprises adjusting the valves according to the signal received from the A/C service tools.

14. The method of automatically controlling A/C service tasks of claim 12, wherein the step of controlling power to the power port of the A/C service tool controller further comprises controlling the power according to the signal received from the A/C service tools.

15. The method of automatically controlling A/C service tasks of claim 11 further comprising the step:

receiving a signal from the A/C system.

16. The method of automatically controlling A/C service tasks of claim 15, wherein the step of adjusting the valves in the A/C service tool controller further comprises adjusting the valves according to the signal received from the A/C system.

17. The method of automatically controlling A/C service tasks of claim 15, wherein the step of controlling power to the power port of the A/C service tool controller further comprises controlling the power according to the signal received from the A/C system.

18. The method of automatically controlling A/C service tasks of claim 11 further comprising the step:

displaying indications of a state of the A/C service tools on the display.

19. A system for connecting to an A/C system and A/C service tools via connecting conduits and controlling A/C service tasks involving the A/C system and the A/C service tools, comprising:

means for storing instructions for running the system;

means for processing the instructions, and communicatively connected to the means for storing;

means transmitting configured to attach to the connecting conduits leading to the A/C system and the A/C service tools;

means for controlling configured to control a flow of substances though the means for transmitting;

means for sensing communicatively connected to the means for processing and configured to sense a pressure within the means for transmitting;

means for powering configured to accept a power plug of the A/C service tool and communicatively connected to the means for processing; and

means for displaying pressure readings and communicatively connected to the means for processing.

20. An A/C service tool controller for connecting to an A/C system and A/C service tools via connecting conduits and controlling A/C service tasks involving the A/C system and the A/C service tools, comprising:

an electrical socket configured to provide power to the A/C service tools;

a relay configured to control a current to the electrical socket;

a manifold having a plurality of connectors configured to attach to the connecting conduits leading to the A/C system and the A/C service tools;

a solenoid configured to control a flow of substances though the manifold;

a sensor configured to sense a pressure within the manifold; and

a display configured to indicated readings from the sensor.

21. The A/C service tool controller of claim 20, further comprising:

an indicator configured to signify a state of operation of the A/C service tool controller wherein the relay is further configured to receive a signal from the A/C service tools, and to control a current to the solenoid and the indicator.