US7201006B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for monitoring air-exchange evaporation in a refrigerant-cycle system
Assignee: Copeland LP
•
Filing: 2005-05-17
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Granted: 2007-04-10
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Expires: 2025-05-17
Abstract
Abstract A real-time monitoring system that monitors various aspects of the operation of a refrigerant-cycle system is described. In one embodiment, the system includes a processor that measures power provided to the refrigerant-cycle system and that gathers data from one or more sensors and uses the sensor data to calculate a figure of merit related to the efficiency of the system. In one embodiment, the sensors include one or more of the following sensors: a suction line temperature sensor, a suction line pressure sensor, a suction line flow sensor, a hot gas line temperature sensor, a hot gas line pressure sensor, a hot gas line flow sensor, a liquid line temperature sensor, a liquid line pressure sensor, a liquid line flow sensor. In one embodiment, the sensors include one or more of an evaporator air temperature input sensor, an evaporator air temperature output sensor, an evaporator air flow sensor, an evaporator air humidity sensor, and a differential pressure sensor. In one embodiment, the sensors include one or more of a condenser air temperature input sensor, a condenser air temperature output sensor, and a condenser air flow sensor, an evaporator air humidity sensor. In one embodiment, the sensors include one or more of an ambient air sensor and an ambient humidity sensor.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence Kates
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:45
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/1927; G05D23/193; G05D23/1932; F; F24; F24F; F24F11/00; F24F11/30; F24F11/32; F24F8/00; F24F8/90; F25; F25B; F25B49/00; F25B49/005; G01; G01K; G01K13/00; G01N; G01N15/00; G01N15/08; G01N15/082; G01N15/0826; G05B; G05B15/00; G05B15/02; G05D23/1917; G05D23/1928; F24F11/39; F24F11/46; F24F11/47; F24F11/50; F24F11/56; F25B2500/00; F25B2500/19; F25B2600/00; F25B2600/07; F25B2700/00; F25B2700/02; F25B2700/13; F25B2700/133; F25B2700/135; F25B2700/1351; F25B2700/15; F25B2700/151; F25B2700/17; F25B2700/172; F25B2700/19; F25B2700/193; F25B2700/1931; F25B2700/1933; F25B2700/195; F25B2700/21; F25B2700/2106; F25B2700/2115; F25B2700/21151; F25B2700/21152; F25B2700/2116; F25B2700/21161; F25B2700/21163; F25B2700/2117; F25B2700/21171; F25B2700/21172; F25B2700/21173; F25B2700/21174; F25B2700/21175; F25D; F25D2400/00; F25D2400/36; G01K2201/00; G01N2015/084; G01N2015/0846; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S116/00; Y10S116/25; Y10S116/42; Y10S55/00; Y10S55/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A monitoring system for monitoring an evaporator in a refrigerant-cycle system, comprising: a first temperature sensor configured to measure input air temperature to an evaporator; a second temperature sensor configured to measure output air temperature from said evaporator; one or more ambient sensors configured to measure one or more ambient conditions; a sensor to sense when air is flowing through said evaporator; and a processing system configured to calculate a performance criteria of said evaporator using at least a portion of the data from said first temperature sensor, at least a portion of the data from said one or more ambient sensors, and at least a portion of the data from said sensor to sense when air is flowing through said evaporator and at least a portion of the data from said second temperature sensor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A monitoring system for monitoring an evaporator in a refrigerant-cycle system, comprising: a first temperature sensor configured to measure input air temperature to an evaporator; a second temperature sensor configured to measure output air temperature from said evaporator; one or more ambient sensors configured to measure one or more ambient conditions; a sensor to sense when air is flowing through said evaporator; and a processing system configured to calculate a performance criteria of said evaporator using at least a portion of the data from said first temperature sensor, at least a portion of the data from said one or more ambient sensors, and at least a portion of the data from said sensor to sense when air is flowing through said evaporator and at least a portion of the data from said second temperature sensor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein said processing system is configured to calculate efficiency.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein said processing system is configured to calculate energy costs due to inefficient operation of said evaporator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein said processing system is configured to identify performance problems due to low airflow based at least in part on said performance criteria and data measured by said sensor to sense when air is flowing through said evaporator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The monitoring system of claim 1 , further comprising an airflow sensor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The monitoring system of claim 1 , further comprising a tachometer for a fan provided to said evaporator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The monitoring system of claim 1 , further comprising a third temperature sensor configured to measure evaporator refrigerant input temperature and a third temperature sensor configured to measure evaporator refrigerant output temperature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The monitoring system of claim 1 , further comprising one or more pressure sensors configured to measure a pressure differential across said evaporator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The monitoring system of claim 1 , further comprising at lease one humidity sensor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The monitoring system of claim 1 , further comprising one or more electrical sensors to measure electrical power provided to a fan motor of a fan that provides air to said evaporator.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The monitoring system of claim 1 , further comprising a refrigerant flow sensor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein said processing system is configured to provide data for plots of energy usage and costs.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein said processing system is configured to provide data related to operation of said evaporator to a remote monitoring center.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein said processing system is configured to provide data related to operation of said evaporator system to a remote monitoring center using power line networking.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein said processing system is configured to provide data related to operation of said evaporator to a remote monitoring center using broadband over powerline networking.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The monitoring system of claim 1 , further comprising an electronically-controlled metering device to allow control of refrigerant into said evaporator.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein said monitoring system is configured with data regarding a maximum expected efficiency for said evaporator.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein said monitoring system is configured with data regarding a type of refrigerant used in said evaporator.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein said monitoring system is configured with data regarding one or more physical characteristics of the evaporator.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein said monitoring system is configured with data regarding a cross-sectional area of a duct provided to said evaporator.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The monitoring system of claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the refrigerant in a refrigerant line provided to said evaporator.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The monitoring system of claim 1 , further comprising a pressure sensor to measure refrigerant pressure in an output line of said evaporator.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The monitoring system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one refrigerant contaminant sensor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The monitoring system of claim 1 , further comprising a differential pressure sensor.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
139 words
A monitoring system for monitoring an evaporator in a refrigerant-cycle system, comprising: means for measuring one or more inputs to said evaporator, said inputs comprising at least an input temperature; means for measuring one or more outputs from said evaporator, said outputs comprising at least an output air temperature; programmed data parameters related to operation of said evaporator; and a processing system configured to calculate one or more performance criteria of said evaporator using at least a portion of the data from said means for measuring one or more inputs, at least a portion of the data from said means for measuring one or more outputs, and said programmed data parameters, said processing system configured to provide a performance history of said performance criteria and to calculate an operational efficiency of said evaporator using in part said performance criteria.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
139 words
A monitoring system for monitoring an evaporator in a refrigerant-cycle system, comprising: means for measuring one or more inputs to said evaporator, said inputs comprising at least an input temperature; means for measuring one or more outputs from said evaporator, said outputs comprising at least an output air temperature; programmed data parameters related to operation of said evaporator; and a processing system configured to calculate one or more performance criteria of said evaporator using at least a portion of the data from said means for measuring one or more inputs, at least a portion of the data from said means for measuring one or more outputs, and said programmed data parameters, said processing system configured to provide a performance history of said performance criteria and to calculate an operational efficiency of said evaporator using in part said performance criteria.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The monitoring system of claim 25 , wherein said data parameters comprise a type of refrigerant.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The monitoring system of claim 25 , wherein said data parameters comprise one or more properties of a refrigerant.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The monitoring system of claim 25 , wherein said data parameters comprise one or more calibration values.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
The monitoring system of claim 25 , wherein said data parameters comprise one or more calibration values obtained from said evaporator during a calibration process.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The monitoring system of claim 25 , wherein said data parameters comprise one or more physical properties of said evaporator.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
The monitoring system of claim 25 , wherein said data parameters comprise one or more dimensional properties of said evaporator.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
The monitoring system of claim 25 , wherein said one or more inputs comprise input air temperature.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
The monitoring system of claim 25 , wherein said one or more inputs comprise input refrigerant temperature.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
21 words
The monitoring system of claim 25 , wherein said one or more inputs comprise electrical power provided to an evaporator fan.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
20 words
The monitoring system of claim 25 , wherein said one or more inputs comprise electrical power provided to a compressor.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
17 words
The monitoring system of claim 25 , wherein said one or more outputs comprise output air temperature.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
17 words
The monitoring system of claim 25 , wherein said one or more outputs comprise output refrigerant temperature.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
The monitoring system of claim 25 , wherein said one or more outputs comprise output air humidity.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
The monitoring system of claim 25 , wherein said one or more outputs comprise air flow.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2010-04-09 | 2010-10-09 | 2011-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2014-04-09 | 2014-10-09 | 2015-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2018-04-09 | 2018-10-09 | 2019-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |