Patent US5351500A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5351500A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Refrigerant leak detector system
Assignee: Texas Medical Center
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Filing: 1993-12-03
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Granted: 1994-10-04
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Expires: 2013-12-03
Abstract
Abstract A refrigerant leak detection apparatus and method for testing for leaking frigerant within a heat exchanging fluid, particularly for testing for leaking refrigerant in a chiller system comprising heat exchangers.
Inventors
- 👤 Gordon R. Morrow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 23:09
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/26; G01M3/32; G01M3/3236; G01M3/3245; F; F25; F25B; F25B49/00; F25B49/005; G01M3/3227; F25B2500/00; F25B2500/22; F25B2500/222
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
An apparatus for detecting refrigerant leaks in a refrigeration system having a refrigerant and a heat exchanging fluid comprising: a heat exchanger having a conduit therethrough for transporting a heat exchanging liquid, the conduit having first and second ends; a stand pipe in communication with one of the ends of the conduit; means for detecting a volume of gas in the stand pipe; means for injecting gas into the stand pipe; and means for detecting gasified refrigerant in a gas pocket within the stand pipe.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
85 words
An apparatus for detecting refrigerant leaks in a refrigeration system having a refrigerant and a heat exchanging fluid comprising: a heat exchanger having a conduit therethrough for transporting a heat exchanging liquid, the conduit having first and second ends; a stand pipe in communication with one of the ends of the conduit; means for detecting a volume of gas in the stand pipe; means for injecting gas into the stand pipe; and means for detecting gasified refrigerant in a gas pocket within the stand pipe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the means for detecting a volume of gas in the stand pipe comprises a fluid-level detecting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 2 in which the fluid-level detecting means comprises a plurality of float switches.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising means mixing a volume of air in the stand pipe.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 4 in which the mixing means comprises means for injecting air into the stand pipe below the surface of any liquid in the stand pipe.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for detecting gasified refrigerant within a conduit carrying a liquid comprising the steps of: exposing a liquid in a conduit to a stand pipe in communication with the conduit; establishing a gas pocket in the stand pipe; detecting a volume of the gas pocket in the stand pipe; injecting non-halogen air into the stand pipe; and testing the gas in the stand pipe for gasified refrigerant.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for detecting gasified refrigerant within a conduit carrying a liquid comprising the steps of: exposing a liquid in a conduit to a stand pipe in communication with the conduit; establishing a gas pocket in the stand pipe; detecting a volume of the gas pocket in the stand pipe; injecting non-halogen air into the stand pipe; and testing the gas in the stand pipe for gasified refrigerant.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of mixing the gas in the stand pipe.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 7 in which the mixing step comprises continually changing the volume of the gas pocket.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4138856A
Cited
US4316364A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-10-03 | 1998-04-04 | 1998-10-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-10-03 | 2002-04-04 | 2002-10-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-10-03 | 2006-04-04 | 2006-10-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |