Systems and methods for charging refrigerant into a climate control system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for charging refrigerant into climate control systems often result in inaccuracies due to human error or fluid measurement issues, leading to sub-optimal operation and potential overfilling, which can be costly and environmentally harmful.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that automatically control a charging valve in a refrigerant charging system by coupling a storage tank to the refrigerant loop, opening and closing the valve in cycles, and adjusting the valve's open time based on detected saturated temperatures to ensure proper refrigerant charging without overfilling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual refrigerant charging methods are used, then操作简单 (operation is simple), but charging accuracy is poor leading to overfilling or underfilling
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors refrigerant temperature and pressure in the loop and uses this feedback to automatically adjust the charging valve opening time. The controller compares detected parameters against target values and dynamically modifies valve actuation duration to achieve precise refrigerant charging while preventing overfilling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical charging operations with an automated electronic control system. The controller electronically actuates the charging valve based on sensor data, substituting human judgment and manual valve manipulation with automated electronic decision-making and actuation.
2Productivity
If refrigerant is charged without temperature monitoring, then charging process is fast, but system performance becomes sub-optimal
Solution Approach 1:
The controller periodically actuates the charging valve in controlled cycles rather than keeping it continuously open. This periodic opening and closing allows refrigerant to be added in measured increments while maintaining system circulation and heat exchange operations, achieving both speed and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature sensors continuously monitor refrigerant conditions and provide feedback to the controller. This real-time monitoring ensures that charging stops at the optimal point, preventing both undercharging (which would reduce efficiency) and overcharging (which would harm system reliability).
3Measurement precision
If automated temperature-based control is implemented, then charging accuracy improves, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the refrigerant's own thermal properties and natural heat exchange within the loop to provide the measurement information needed for control. Temperature sensors detect the refrigerant's saturated temperature as it naturally circulates, and the controller uses this self-generated data to automatically regulate charging without external intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller dynamically changes the charging valve opening time parameter based on detected temperature variations. As the refrigerant approaches the target charge level, the saturated temperature changes, and the controller adjusts the valve actuation duration accordingly to maintain precision throughout the charging process.
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 approach ensures accurate and efficient refrigerant charging, preventing overfilling and maintaining optimal system performance, while also reducing environmental impact and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
A climate control system may circulate a refrigerant through a fluid loop (which may be referred to herein as a 'refrigerant loop') so as to exchange heat between an indoor space (e.g., a house, office, commercial store, etc.) and an outer environment surrounding the indoor space.
Implementation Method 2
determining a detected saturated temperature of the refrigerant within the refrigerant loop after each cycle of the plurality of cycles
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and related systems for charging a refrigerant into a climate control system. In an embodiment, the method includes (a) coupling a storage tank to a refrigerant loop of the climate control system through a charging valve; (b) opening and closing the charging valve in a plurality of cycles; and (c) flowing refrigerant from the storage tank to the refrigerant loop through the charging valve when the charging valve is open, during (b). In addition, the method includes (d) determining a detected saturated temperature of the refrigerant within the refrigerant loop after each cycle of the plurality of cycles; and (e) adjusting an amount of time that the charging valve is open during each cycle of the plurality of cycles during (b) as a function of the detected saturated temperature from a previous cycle of the plurality of cycles.