Moderate-to-low global warming potential value refrigerant leak detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Moderate-to-low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants used in air conditioning systems pose a fire risk due to their mild flammability, and existing non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) sensors are excessively expensive and over-designed for leak detection, necessitating a cost-effective and efficient refrigerant leak detection solution.
Innovation Solution
A controllable refrigerant leak detection system comprising a refrigerant detection sensor with an emitter, detector, optical element, and band pass filter, configured to generate binary output signals for leak detection, integrated with a controller to activate or deactivate the fan and vent based on detected refrigerant concentrations, reducing the need for complex optical and electronic components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If commercial non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) sensors are used for refrigerant leak detection, then detection reliability is improved, but device cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential detection function from complex commercial NDIR sensors by using a simplified optical detection assembly with basic infrared LED, photodiode detector, and optical path, eliminating unnecessary optical and electronic components that account for 40-60% of commercial sensor costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inexpensive, readily available components such as standard infrared LEDs, photodiode detectors, and basic optical elements that can be easily replaced if needed, rather than expensive commercial NDIR sensor assemblies
2Measurement precision
If accurate concentration measurement capability is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the concentration quantification function from the detection system, retaining only the binary leak detection capability. The system compares detected infrared absorption against a predetermined threshold to generate simple leak/non-leak signals, eliminating complex signal processing and concentration calculation electronics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by implementing only the minimum necessary detection function (binary leak detection) without the full concentration measurement capability, using a simple threshold comparison approach rather than quantitative analysis
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
The system effectively detects refrigerant leaks, mitigates fire risks by diluting or venting the refrigerant, and reduces costs by using a simplified detection mechanism that does not require accurate concentration measurement, thus addressing the expense and over-design issues of NDIR sensors.
Implementation Method 1
The detection assembly includes an infrared (IR) emitter, an IR detector
Implementation Method 2
a band pass filter tuned for detection of the moderate-to-low GWP value refrigerant
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioning system is provided and includes a unit receptive of refrigerant having a moderate-to-low global warming potential (GWP) value for thermal interaction with a fluid, an enclosure, a fan disposed and configured for urging a flow of the fluid through the unit, a refrigerant detection sensor and a controller. The refrigerant detection sensor is disposed in the enclosure to be operable in a first mode in which a baseline response is established and a second mode in which refrigerant leak detection is executed based on the baseline response. The refrigerant detection sensor is further configured to generate a binary output of leak and non-leak signals in accordance with a result of the refrigerant leak detection. The controller is configured to control operations of the fan and the vent based on the binary output.