System for refrigerant charging with constant volume tank
First Claim
1. A refrigerant charging system for charging a refrigeration system with a refrigerant, comprising:
- a refrigerant source for supplying the refrigerant;
a storage vessel;
an input line fluidly connecting the refrigerant source to the storage vessel;
an output line extending from the storage vessel and adapted for connection to the refrigeration system;
a pressure sensor connected directly to the storage vessel;
a temperature sensor connected directly to the storage vessel; and
a controller communicating with the pressure and temperature sensors, the controller being configured to calculate and verify an initial mass of refrigerant within the storage vessel based on readings from the pressure and temperature sensors connected to the storage vessel, the initial mass being the sum of a required mass of refrigerant to be charged into the refrigerant system and a remaining refrigerant mass in the storage vessel, the remaining refrigerant mass in the storage vessel is an expected remaining refrigerant mass or an actual remaining refrigerant mass.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A refrigerant charging system for charging a refrigeration system with refrigerant includes a refrigerant source, a storage vessel, input and output lines, and a device for detecting mass of refrigerant within the storage vessel. The input line fluidly connects the refrigerant source to the storage vessel, and the output line extends from the storage vessel and is adapted to connect to the refrigeration system. The system also includes an input control valve disposed between the storage vessel and the refrigerant source, and an output control valve disposed between the storage vessel and the refrigeration system. A heater is connected to the refrigerant source for raising the temperature of refrigerant within the refrigerant source. A method of charging a refrigeration system is also disclosed. The system and method are useful to charging the refrigerant system of an automotive vehicle, among others.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A refrigerant charging system for charging a refrigeration system with a refrigerant, comprising:
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a refrigerant source for supplying the refrigerant; a storage vessel; an input line fluidly connecting the refrigerant source to the storage vessel; an output line extending from the storage vessel and adapted for connection to the refrigeration system; a pressure sensor connected directly to the storage vessel; a temperature sensor connected directly to the storage vessel; and a controller communicating with the pressure and temperature sensors, the controller being configured to calculate and verify an initial mass of refrigerant within the storage vessel based on readings from the pressure and temperature sensors connected to the storage vessel, the initial mass being the sum of a required mass of refrigerant to be charged into the refrigerant system and a remaining refrigerant mass in the storage vessel, the remaining refrigerant mass in the storage vessel is an expected remaining refrigerant mass or an actual remaining refrigerant mass. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of charging a refrigeration system with refrigerant comprising the steps of:
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determining an initial mass of refrigerant for transferring into a storage vessel with a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor attached to the storage vessel; transferring refrigerant from a refrigerant source to the storage vessel; verifying the initial mass of refrigerant in the storage vessel after refrigerant from the refrigerant source is transferred to the storage vessel; transferring refrigerant from the storage vessel to the refrigeration system; fluidly disconnecting the storage vessel from the refrigeration system prior to the determining of a remaining mass of refrigerant within the storage vessel; determining the mass of refrigerant transferred to the refrigeration system; and comparing the calculated mass of refrigerant transferred to the refrigeration system with the determined mass of refrigerant for charging. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification