Method and system for measuring volume of fluid drained from an air conditioning service unit
US9823001B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 10, 2015 |
| Grant date | Nov 21, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 1, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01F1/007
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An air conditioning service system includes an accumulator defining an accumulator chamber, a pressure transducer operably connected to the accumulator chamber, a drain valve operably connected to the accumulator chamber, and a controller operably connected to the pressure transducer and the drain valve. The controller includes a processor configured to execute program instructions stored in a memory to determine a volume of liquid drained from the accumulator by: determining a volumetric flow rate of liquid through the drain valve by controlling the drain valve with the controller to an open position for a predetermined period of time; detecting an increased rate of pressure reduction while the drain valve is open; and determining an amount of liquid drained through the drain valve based upon the volumetric flow rate and a total time elapsed between opening the drain valve and the increased rate of pressure reduction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.