Systems and Methods for Detecting Malfunctions in Refrigerant Based Systems based on Changes in Measured System Metrics

The system addresses inefficiencies in refrigerant leak detection by analyzing efficiency changes in refrigeration devices through multiple metrics, enabling early and accurate leak detection.

US20260160461A1Pending Publication Date: 2026-06-11THALO LABS INC
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Applications(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
THALO LABS INC
Filing Date
2025-04-18
Publication Date
2026-06-11

AI Technical Summary

⚠Technical Problem

Existing refrigerant leak detection systems in refrigeration devices are inefficient, often requiring significant leakage to detect and are ineffective for outdoor units due to ambient air movement, posing environmental risks and regulatory non-compliance.

⚗Method used

A system that measures various metrics, including temperature, power usage, pressure, and vibrations, to analyze efficiency changes in refrigeration devices, using sensors mounted on refrigerant lines to detect leaks by identifying transient and trend-level efficiency reductions.

🎯Benefits of technology

Enables early detection of refrigerant leaks with high accuracy, even at small leakage rates, reducing environmental impact and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

An example method includes measuring a plurality of metrics of performance of a refrigeration device, analyzing the plurality of metrics for changes in efficiency of operation of the refrigeration device, and based on the changes in efficiency of operation of the refrigeration device being reductions in efficiency, outputting an indicator of a refrigerant leak of the refrigeration device. In one instance, an example system includes a temperature sensor externally mounted to a line, of a refrigerant loop, that couples components of a refrigeration device, and a monitoring device, in communication with the temperature sensor, for (i) sampling the temperature sensor and generating temperature readings of the line, (ii) analyzing the temperature readings over time; and (iii) outputting an indicator of a refrigerant leak of the refrigeration device based on analyzing the temperature readings at start and stop instances of operation of the refrigeration device.
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