Cost-effective remote monitoring, diagnostic and system health prediction system and method for vapor compression and heat pump units based on compressor discharge line temperature sampling
First Claim
1. A monitoring system for at least one vapor-compression system having an outdoor section comprised of a compressor and a condenser, wherein the monitoring system comprises at least one sensor associated with only the outdoor section so that a processed output of the sensor is able by itself to predict low refrigerant charge based on a predicted sensor value determined by comparison of one of a previously obtained measured performance curve, a table of values and an equation, each as a function of outdoor ambient air temperature obtained during normal operation of the vapor-compression system in relation to a measured sensor value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A diagnostic monitoring system and method is employed for one or more vapor compression systems such as air conditioners and heat pumps having a compressor, an indoor air handler fan coil and an outdoor condensor. Temperature, voltage and current sensors are provided at the outdoor condensor to determine that at least one vapor compression system is operating properly. Data obtained from the sensors is wirelessly transmitted to a receiving-device for use by the systems'"'"' custodian or repair service provider and includes information concerning an occurrence of periods when one or more of the vapor compression systems are operating at an abnormal state.
72 Citations
22 Claims
- 1. A monitoring system for at least one vapor-compression system having an outdoor section comprised of a compressor and a condenser, wherein the monitoring system comprises at least one sensor associated with only the outdoor section so that a processed output of the sensor is able by itself to predict low refrigerant charge based on a predicted sensor value determined by comparison of one of a previously obtained measured performance curve, a table of values and an equation, each as a function of outdoor ambient air temperature obtained during normal operation of the vapor-compression system in relation to a measured sensor value.
- 15. A monitoring system for at least one vapor-compression system having an outdoor section comprised of a compressor and a condenser, wherein the monitoring system comprises at least two sensors associated with only the outdoor section so that processed outputs of the two sensors are able by themselves to predict diminished condenser air flow based on predicted sensor values of outdoor condenser refrigerant outlet temperature and a compressor discharge refrigerant temperature determined by comparison of previously obtained measured performance curve, a table of values and an equation, each as a function of outdoor ambient air temperature obtained during normal operation of the vapor-compression system in relation to the measured condenser outlet temperature and compressor discharge temperature to determine if the system is operating with undesirably reduced condenser airflow.
Specification