Patent · US Active

Method and system for detecting low refrigerant charge and air conditioner protection system

US8205461B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
9References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 26, 2009
Grant dateJun 26, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 1, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01K2201/02
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method and system for detecting a low charge condition in an air conditioner for a vehicle. The system first determines whether noise factors are present that would interfere with reliably measuring a pressure delta. If noise factors are not present, the system determines a pressure delta value for the compressor by comparing the high side pressure when the clutch is engaged to a high side pressure when the clutch is disengaged. If the pressure delta value is less than a threshold value, a low charge condition may be recorded. When the number of low charge conditions detected exceeds a predetermined number of events, the system may set a temperature diagnostic trouble code, disable the air conditioning system and alert the driver of a potential problem.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.