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US6658373B2
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Apparatus and method for detecting faults and providing diagnostics in vapor compression cycle equipment
Assignee: FIELD DIAGNOSTICS SERVICES Inc
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Filing: 2001-08-24
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Granted: 2003-12-02
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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 07:28
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).
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