Refrigerant level monitor for refrigeration system
US10228172B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 30, 2014 |
| Grant date | Mar 12, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 19, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25B2700/1933
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A refrigeration system includes a refrigerant vapor compression unit including a compressor and one or more current sensors to determine a total system current draw. One or more pressure sensors are positioned to determine a refrigerant pressure in the refrigerant vapor compression unit. A controller compares the current draw on the system and the refrigerant pressure to selected acceptable ranges and determines a level of refrigerant charge in the refrigerant vapor compression unit. A method of determining a level of refrigerant charge in a refrigeration system includes measuring a refrigerant pressure in the refrigeration system and sensing a current draw of the refrigeration system. A level of refrigerant charge in the refrigeration system is calculated from the refrigerant pressure and the current draw.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.