System attachable to a refrigeration circuit and method of performing work on a refrigeration circuit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for working on refrigeration circuits lack efficient and integrated solutions for refrigerant recovery and refilling, often requiring separate and cumbersome components for maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a recovery pump, a vacuum pump, and an electrically actuated fluid valve, connected via communication interfaces for remote control and monitoring, allows for efficient refrigerant recovery and refilling by integrating these components into a modular setup that can be easily attached to refrigeration circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate components are used for refrigerant recovery and refilling, then each component can be optimized for its specific function, but the system becomes cumbersome and requires multiple separate operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the recovery pump, vacuum pump, and fluid valve into a single integrated system with a common housing. This merging of previously separate components into one unified device simplifies operation while maintaining all necessary functions for refrigerant recovery and system evacuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system performs multiple functions including refrigerant recovery, system evacuation, and fluid control through a single device. The universal design allows one system to replace multiple separate tools, enhancing ease of operation without sacrificing functional capabilities.
2Productivity
If manual intervention is used for refrigerant recovery and refilling, then the process requires direct operator involvement, but this increases the time and labor required for maintenance operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates automatic control features where the recovery pump and vacuum pump can operate autonomously based on integrated sensors and control logic. This self-service capability reduces manual intervention, increases productivity, and minimizes the time operators need to spend on maintenance tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms to monitor the refrigerant recovery and evacuation processes, automatically adjusting operations based on real-time conditions. This feedback control enables the system to perform tasks with minimal human oversight, improving productivity while reducing the time operators need to be present.
3Reliability
If multiple separate tools are used for refrigeration circuit maintenance, then each tool can be specialized, but the overall maintenance process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple maintenance functions including recovery, evacuation, and fluid control into a single reliable system. This merging maintains the specialized capabilities of each function while presenting a unified, manageable interface that does not increase operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
While integrated into one system, the device maintains distinct functional modules for recovery, evacuation, and control. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while being managed as a unified system, preserving reliability without excessive complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This integrated system streamlines the refrigerant recovery and refilling process, reducing manual intervention and enhancing accuracy through remote monitoring and control, while ensuring minimal disruption to the refrigeration circuit.
Implementation Method 1
a recovery pump attachable to the refrigeration circuit to remove refrigerant therefrom
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum pump attachable to the refrigeration circuit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A system attachable to a refrigeration circuit includes a recovery pump attachable to the refrigeration circuit to remove refrigerant. The recovery pump includes a pump, an electric motor, a battery pack, and a recovery pump controller for controlling the operation of the electric motor. The recovery pump controller has a first communication interface. The system further includes an accessory attachable to the refrigeration circuit concurrently with the recovery pump. The accessory includes a sensor for detecting a characteristic value of the refrigeration circuit, and an accessory controller electrically connected with the sensor to receive a signal corresponding with the characteristic value of the refrigeration circuit. The accessory controller has a second communication interface to communicate the signal to the recovery pump controller via the first and second wireless interfaces. The recovery pump controller controls the operation of the electric motor based upon the signal received from the accessory.