Systems and methods for refrigerant unit life cycle management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current HVAC/Refrigeration systems lack effective tracking and management of refrigerant levels and histories, leading to inefficiencies and potential environmental impacts due to refrigerant leakage and outdated refrigerant types.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a service tool, processing circuitry, and cloud computing that tracks refrigerant addition and removal, generates a graphical user interface for data visualization, and predicts refrigerant leakage events using machine learning, enabling real-time monitoring and management of refrigerant levels across multiple units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual tracking methods are used for refrigerant management, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and information accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefrigerant level tracking accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements automated feedback loops where sensors continuously monitor refrigerant levels and communicate with the controller, which automatically adjusts refrigerant management operations without manual intervention, ensuring high measurement precision while maintaining manageable system complexity through intelligent control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical tracking methods are replaced with electronic sensing and digital data processing systems. Sensors, microcontrollers, and software algorithms automate the monitoring and management of refrigerant levels, providing precise measurement and control while reducing human labor and potential for human error

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of substance

If refrigerant is not tracked properly, then loss of substance increases, but ease of operation is improved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefrigerant leakageVSAvoidservice time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring refrigerant levels and predicting potential leakage events before they occur. The predictive analytics and machine learning algorithms identify patterns that indicate future problems, allowing maintenance to be scheduled proactively, preventing refrigerant loss while streamlining service operations through advance preparation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service functionality where the refrigeration system automatically monitors its own refrigerant levels, detects anomalies, and generates service alerts without requiring constant manual inspection. This reduces both refrigerant loss through early detection and service time by prioritizing only when actual intervention is needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If comprehensive refrigerant tracking is implemented, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefrigerant management reliabilityVSAvoidtracking system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The comprehensive tracking system is segmented into modular functional components: sensing modules for refrigerant level detection, communication modules for data transmission, processing modules for data analysis, and control modules for executing management actions. This segmentation improves reliability by isolating functions while keeping each module's complexity manageable and allowing independent optimization of each component

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Loss of time

If real-time monitoring is implemented, then loss of time is reduced, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice response timeVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic monitoring at strategically determined intervals rather than continuous monitoring. The controller adjusts the monitoring frequency based on system state, refrigerant type, and operational conditions, achieving fast service response times when needed while reducing energy consumption during stable operating periods through intelligent periodic sampling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS20240102683A1Systems and methods for refrigerant unit life cycle management

Publication Date: 2024.03.28 EFFECTERRA INC

AI summary

A method includes determining, based on a signal from a sensor of a service tool that couples with a service port of the HVAC/Refrigeration system to add refrigerant to the HVAC/Refrigeration system or remove refrigerant from the HVAC/Refrigeration system, an amount of refrigerant added to the HVAC/Refrigeration system or an amount of refrigerant removed from the HVAC/Refrigeration system. The method includes determining a current refrigerant level in the HVAC/Refrigeration system. The method also includes performance monitoring for a fleet of units, and predicting an indication of a leak at the HVAC/Refrigeration system. The method includes building or using a database along with artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) to predict leaks. The method includes operating a display to provide at least one of the amount of refrigerant added, the amount or refrigerant removed, or the current refrigerant level of the HVAC/Refrigeration system to a user.