US6658373B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for detecting faults and providing diagnostics in vapor compression cycle equipment
Assignee: FIELD DIAGNOSTICS SERVICES Inc
•
Filing: 2001-08-24
•
Granted: 2003-12-02
•
Expires: 2021-08-24
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for detecting faults and providing diagnostic information in a refrigeration system comprising a microprocessor, a means for inputting information to the microprocessor, a means for outputting information from the microprocessor, and five sensors.
Inventors
- 👤 Todd M. Rossi
- 👤 Dale Rossi
- 👤 Jonathan D. Douglas
- 👤 Timothy P. Stockman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 02:53
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F11/00; F24F11/30; F24F11/32; F24F11/38; F25; F25B; F25B49/00; F25B49/005; F25B49/02; F24F11/50; F24F11/54; F25B2500/00; F25B2500/19; F25B2600/00; F25B2600/19; F25B2600/21; F25B2700/00; F25B2700/02; F25B2700/19; F25B2700/193; F25B2700/1931; F25B2700/1933; F25B2700/195; F25B2700/21; F25B2700/2106; F25B2700/2115; F25B2700/21151; F25B2700/2116; F25B2700/21161; F25B2700/21163; F25B2700/2117; F25B2700/21171; F25B2700/21172
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
A method of providing diagnostics of a refrigeration system, the method comprising: a) measuring liquid line refrigerant pressure (LP), suction line refrigerant pressure (SP), suction line temperature (ST), liquid line temperature (LT), and outdoor atmospheric temperature (AMB) used to cool the condenser; b) when the liquid pressure port is not available, measure the discharge pressure (DP), setting LP equal to DP (or accounting for the condenser pressure drop); c) calculating the pressure difference (PD) between the liquid pressure (LP) and the suction pressure (SP); d) calculating the condensing temperature (CT) as the saturated temperature at the liquid line pressure (LP); e) calculating liquid line subcooling (SC) using the liquid line temperature (LT) and the condensing temperature (CT); f) calculating condensing temperature over ambient (CTOA) using CT and AMB; g) calculating evaporating temperature (ET) as the saturated temperature at the suction pressure (SP); h) calculating suction line superheat (SH) using suction line temperature (ST) and pressure (SP); i) determining the presence of a fault and, if so, a consequent diagnostics of the refrigeration system based on operating limits for at least one of the following parameters: pressure difference (PD), evaporating temperature (ET), suction line superheat (SH), liquid line subcooling (SC), condenser temperature over ambient (CTOA).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
204 words
A method of providing diagnostics of a refrigeration system, the method comprising: a) measuring liquid line refrigerant pressure (LP), suction line refrigerant pressure (SP), suction line temperature (ST), liquid line temperature (LT), and outdoor atmospheric temperature (AMB) used to cool the condenser; b) when the liquid pressure port is not available, measure the discharge pressure (DP), setting LP equal to DP (or accounting for the condenser pressure drop); c) calculating the pressure difference (PD) between the liquid pressure (LP) and the suction pressure (SP); d) calculating the condensing temperature (CT) as the saturated temperature at the liquid line pressure (LP); e) calculating liquid line subcooling (SC) using the liquid line temperature (LT) and the condensing temperature (CT); f) calculating condensing temperature over ambient (CTOA) using CT and AMB; g) calculating evaporating temperature (ET) as the saturated temperature at the suction pressure (SP); h) calculating suction line superheat (SH) using suction line temperature (ST) and pressure (SP); i) determining the presence of a fault and, if so, a consequent diagnostics of the refrigeration system based on operating limits for at least one of the following parameters: pressure difference (PD), evaporating temperature (ET), suction line superheat (SH), liquid line subcooling (SC), condenser temperature over ambient (CTOA).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
84 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising: a) measuring discharge refrigerant temperature (DT), return air temperature (RA), supply air temperature (SA), air off condenser temperature (AOC); b) calculating condenser temperature difference (CTD) using AOC and AMB; c) calculating evaporator temperature difference (ETD) using RA and SA. d) determining the presence of a fault and, if so, a consequent diagnostics of the refrigeration system based on operating limits for at least one of the following parameters: condenser temperature difference (CTD) and evaporator temperature difference (ETD).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4381549A
Cited
US4325223A
Cited
US4510576A
Cited
US4755957A
Cited
US4928278A
Cited
US4798055A
Cited
US4967567A
Cited
US5003256A
Cited
US5115643A
Cited
US5010743A
Cited
US5239865A
Cited
US5231598A
Cited
US5209076A
Cited
US5596507A
Cited
US5666815A
Cited
US5623834A
Cited
US5595507A
Cited
US5760478A
Cited
US6128910A
Cited
US6360551B1
Cited
US5934088A
Cited
US5991890A
Cited
US6223544B1
Cited
US6272868B1
Cited
US6324854B1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-12-01 | 2007-06-02 | 2007-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-12-01 | 2011-06-02 | 2011-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-12-01 | 2015-06-02 | 2015-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |