EP2309212A1 - Wärmepumpen oder Kühlsystemüberwachungseinheit - Google Patents

Wärmepumpen oder Kühlsystemüberwachungseinheit Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2309212A1
EP2309212A1 EP09172577A EP09172577A EP2309212A1 EP 2309212 A1 EP2309212 A1 EP 2309212A1 EP 09172577 A EP09172577 A EP 09172577A EP 09172577 A EP09172577 A EP 09172577A EP 2309212 A1 EP2309212 A1 EP 2309212A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
heat pump
refrigerating system
monitoring unit
system monitoring
receiving unit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP09172577A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Jean Paul Peirs
Christopher Peirs
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Valintek bvba
Original Assignee
Valintek bvba
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Valintek bvba filed Critical Valintek bvba
Priority to EP09172577A priority Critical patent/EP2309212A1/de
Priority to PCT/EP2010/065139 priority patent/WO2011042555A1/en
Publication of EP2309212A1 publication Critical patent/EP2309212A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B49/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F25B49/005—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices of safety devices
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2700/00—Sensing or detecting of parameters; Sensors therefor
    • F25B2700/19—Pressures
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2700/00—Sensing or detecting of parameters; Sensors therefor
    • F25B2700/19—Pressures
    • F25B2700/193—Pressures of the compressor
    • F25B2700/1931—Discharge pressures

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to improved monitoring equipment for heat pump or refrigerating systems.
  • Both heat pumps and refrigerating systems like refrigerators, freezers, coolers, air conditioners, etc. are systems based on the thermodynamic refrigeration cycle wherein a fluid refrigerant is exposed to a continuous compression and expansion cycle.
  • thermodynamic parameters of the system have to be measured or monitored
  • a number of monitoring units are available on the market to be used by field technicians.
  • a first example of a very commonly used state-of-the-art monitoring unit is a conventional mobile manifold kit with mechanical analogue gauges to measure pressure values of system gases, like for example the refrigerant.
  • An obvious problem herewith is that only pressure can be measured, such that a field technician is obliged to use other measurement tools if he is interested in other thermo dynamical parameters.
  • a second problem is that the field technician is not able to measure simultaneously or remotely at different pressure measuring points.
  • a third problem is that only on the spot pressure reading is possible, as well in time as in place, and that pressure data logging is only possible by hand.
  • this is a problem for example if the evaporator unit and the condensing unit of a heat pump or refrigerating system are located at a significant distance from each other, or if one is located inside a building while the other is outside or on top of the building.
  • a specific fifth problem is that for each pressure measurement a connection is to be made between the gauges and the heat pump or refrigerating system by means of one or more hoses. Moreover, the gas to be measured remains in the hoses and is vented every time the measurement is performed and the connection is cut off. The latter is an important drawback, and in particular in case refrigerant is vented, for safety and health reasons, for ecological reasons such as ozone depletion, and/or for economical reasons.
  • This monitoring unit comprises a portable receiver unit and a remote transmitter unit sending measurement data to the receiver unit.
  • the receiver unit has sensors that monitor temperatures and pressure readings. Both the data of the transmitter unit and the receiver unit are analyzed in the receiver unit and the results are shown on the receiver LCD screen.
  • a major drawback of the Stargate SG3000 is still that pressure measurement is to be done by connecting the receiver's pressure sensor(s) to the heat pump or refrigerating system by means of hoses, resulting in undesired venting.
  • Another remaining drawback is that the field technician is still not able to measure simultaneously or remotely at different pressure measuring points since he is obliged to take the receiver to every pressure measuring point to be measured.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a heat pump and refrigerating system monitoring unit adapted to monitor a number of different thermo dynamical parameters.
  • Still another object of the heat pump and refrigerating system monitoring unit according the present invention is to provide high quality data processing and analysis, independently of the field technician's skills.
  • the present invention provides a heat pump and refrigerating system monitoring unit wherein at least one pressure sensor communicates to a receiving unit via a wireless connection.
  • the present invention is directed to a heat pump or refrigerating system monitoring unit comprising:
  • the present invention is directed to a heat pump or refrigerating system comprising such monitoring unit.
  • heat pumps and refrigerating systems are to be understood as all systems based on the thermodynamic refrigeration cycle, such as reversible cycle heat pumps, refrigerators, freezers, coolers, air conditioners, etc.
  • the pressure sensor is separated from the receiver unit such that remote pressure measurement is possible and the field technician is not obliged to on the spot pressure reading anymore.
  • the pressure sensor may be any analogue or digital pressure sensor used in heat pump or refrigeration technique which is adapted to communicate its signal via a wireless connection to the receiving unit, for example mechanical deflection sensors, fiber optics sensors, piezo-resistive sensors, variable capacitance sensors, piezoresonant sensors, ceramic sensors, MEMS sensors, etc.. Its range may be down to 10 -6 bar absolute vacuum pressure, and up to 250 bar relative pressure.
  • the fluid may be any gas or liquid substance used in a heat pump or refrigerating cycle.
  • the fluid may be a refrigerant.
  • the refrigerant may be any fluid used as a heat transportation medium in a refrigerating cycle.
  • widely-adopted refrigerants are hydrofluorocarbons (HFC's), as for example R-134A, or hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC's), as for example R-22.
  • Hydrocarbons (HC's) such as propane, butane or isobutene (R600A), or natural substances such as ammonia or carbon dioxide, may also be used.
  • a heat pump or refrigerating system monitoring unit wherein the at least one pressure sensor may be adapted to be fixed on and removed from a pressure measuring point on the system while venting considerably less fluid compared to conventional monitoring units.
  • This may be achieved by providing sensor connection points, such as nipples, on which the sensor housing may be mounted preferably directly.
  • the at least one pressure sensor may be adapted to be permanently fixed on a pressure measuring point such that it is not needed anymore to disconnect the pressure sensor from the heat pump or refrigerating system.
  • Such system may have an additional advantage when monitoring systems having pressure measuring points with limited or difficult access.
  • the at least one pressure sensor may be connected to a transmitting unit which receives the sensor's signal and transmits it wirelessly to the receiver unit.
  • the connection between the transmitter and the pressure sensor may be either wired or wireless. The latter may have an advantage when several pressure sensors at different pressure measuring points are installed.
  • each pressure sensor may include its own wireless transmitting unit adapted for wireless communication with the receiving unit.
  • the wireless connection may be obtained by any type of wireless communication adapted to transfer measurement data from a pressure sensor or another sensor to a receiving unit, such as RF or IR communication.
  • the receiving unit may be portable and preferably handheld. Further, it may comprise a touch screen.
  • the receiving unit may comprise means for data storage. This may be fixed memory or a memory card. Further, it may comprise means communicating with a PC. The means may comprise plug-in, wired or wireless connections such as WiFi, Bluetooth, RF or IR.
  • the receiving unit may comprise data presentation means. Even more preferably, it may comprise data analysis embedded software and data analysis presentation means to provide high quality data processing and analysis, independently of the field technician's skills.
  • the heat pump or refrigerating system monitoring unit may further comprise at least one additional sensor, such that other thermo dynamical parameters than pressure may be measured.
  • the additional sensor may be at least one temperature sensor and/or at least one humidity sensor, or a dry bulb, or wet bulb sensing unit.
  • the at least one additional sensor may be also wirelessly connected to the receiving unit.
  • a heat pump or refrigerating system usually comprises a compressor (1), a condenser (2), a thermostatic expansion valve (3) and an evaporator (4).
  • Such system is monitored by a heat pump or refrigerating system monitoring unit in accordance with the present invention, including:
  • the monitoring unit comprises:
  • the wireless sensors are to be fixed on nipples provided on the heat pump or refrigerating system and communicate via an integrated transmitting unit to the receiving unit via wireless communication at an operating frequency of 868 MHz for Europe, and 915 MHz for USA.
  • the communication protocol is developed by the applicant.
  • Each sensor is equipped with amplifying, stabilizing and digitalizing electronics, with field-calibration allowing calibration in the field, and with Li-Ion-polymer rechargeable batteries.
  • the receiving unit is a handheld console able to communicate with at least 10 sensors. It contains an analogue capacitive touch panel with integrated on/off button.
  • the receiving unit further includes an USB connector for communication with a PC, a 1 GB SD card for data storage and firmware allowing data-analysis, calculations, troubleshooting , data plotting, data logging and report layout.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Arrangements For Transmission Of Measured Signals (AREA)
  • Measuring Fluid Pressure (AREA)
EP09172577A 2009-10-08 2009-10-08 Wärmepumpen oder Kühlsystemüberwachungseinheit Withdrawn EP2309212A1 (de)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP09172577A EP2309212A1 (de) 2009-10-08 2009-10-08 Wärmepumpen oder Kühlsystemüberwachungseinheit
PCT/EP2010/065139 WO2011042555A1 (en) 2009-10-08 2010-10-08 A heat pump or refrigerating system monitoring unit

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP09172577A EP2309212A1 (de) 2009-10-08 2009-10-08 Wärmepumpen oder Kühlsystemüberwachungseinheit

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2309212A1 true EP2309212A1 (de) 2011-04-13

Family

ID=42062049

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP09172577A Withdrawn EP2309212A1 (de) 2009-10-08 2009-10-08 Wärmepumpen oder Kühlsystemüberwachungseinheit

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2309212A1 (de)
WO (1) WO2011042555A1 (de)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2015109278A1 (en) * 2014-01-20 2015-07-23 Parker-Hannifin Corporation Hose free sensor system for refrigerant unit
CN105627646A (zh) * 2016-01-25 2016-06-01 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 制冷机组和监控制冷机组的方法
US20220268504A1 (en) * 2021-02-23 2022-08-25 True Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Ice maker

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB201413371D0 (en) * 2014-07-27 2014-09-10 Bayram Peter J An electronic pulse
CN108240723A (zh) * 2018-03-31 2018-07-03 开平市高美空调设备有限公司 一种基于蓝牙无线通讯的制冷设备
CN112037496A (zh) * 2020-09-03 2020-12-04 新奥数能科技有限公司 一种基于云计算的便携式制冷系统运行数据在线检测系统

Citations (7)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6128910A (en) * 1997-02-06 2000-10-10 Federal Air Conditioning Technologies, Inc. Diagnostic unit for an air conditioning system
US20050210899A1 (en) * 2004-03-15 2005-09-29 Maier Albert W Evaporator pressure regulator control and diagnostics
US20060090484A1 (en) * 2004-11-02 2006-05-04 Bell Brian D HVAC monitor and superheat calculator system
US20060179854A1 (en) * 2005-02-16 2006-08-17 Zero Zone, Inc. Refrigerant tracking/leak detection system and method
WO2007130769A2 (en) * 2006-03-31 2007-11-15 Parker-Hannifin Corporation Electronic block valve
US20080066474A1 (en) * 2006-09-20 2008-03-20 Michael Ramey Porter Refrigeration system energy efficiency enhancement using microsystems
US20080077260A1 (en) * 2006-09-22 2008-03-27 Michael Ramey Porter Refrigeration system fault detection and diagnosis using distributed microsystems

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US5820262A (en) * 1996-12-05 1998-10-13 Johnson Service Company Smart refrigerant sensor
US8826680B2 (en) * 2005-12-28 2014-09-09 Johnson Controls Technology Company Pressure ratio unload logic for a compressor
US9261299B2 (en) * 2006-09-22 2016-02-16 Siemens Industry, Inc. Distributed microsystems-based control method and apparatus for commercial refrigeration
AR067115A1 (es) * 2007-06-21 2009-09-30 Du Pont Metodo para detectar fugas en un sistema de transferencia de calor

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6128910A (en) * 1997-02-06 2000-10-10 Federal Air Conditioning Technologies, Inc. Diagnostic unit for an air conditioning system
US20050210899A1 (en) * 2004-03-15 2005-09-29 Maier Albert W Evaporator pressure regulator control and diagnostics
US20060090484A1 (en) * 2004-11-02 2006-05-04 Bell Brian D HVAC monitor and superheat calculator system
US20060179854A1 (en) * 2005-02-16 2006-08-17 Zero Zone, Inc. Refrigerant tracking/leak detection system and method
WO2007130769A2 (en) * 2006-03-31 2007-11-15 Parker-Hannifin Corporation Electronic block valve
US20080066474A1 (en) * 2006-09-20 2008-03-20 Michael Ramey Porter Refrigeration system energy efficiency enhancement using microsystems
US20080077260A1 (en) * 2006-09-22 2008-03-27 Michael Ramey Porter Refrigeration system fault detection and diagnosis using distributed microsystems

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2015109278A1 (en) * 2014-01-20 2015-07-23 Parker-Hannifin Corporation Hose free sensor system for refrigerant unit
US10281183B2 (en) 2014-01-20 2019-05-07 Parker-Hannifin Corporation Hose free sensor system for refrigerant unit
EP3674628A1 (de) * 2014-01-20 2020-07-01 Parker Hannifin Corporation Schlauchfreies sensorsystem für eine kältemitteleinheit
US10739051B2 (en) 2014-01-20 2020-08-11 Parker-Hannifin Corporation Hose free sensor system for refrigerant unit
CN105627646A (zh) * 2016-01-25 2016-06-01 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 制冷机组和监控制冷机组的方法
CN105627646B (zh) * 2016-01-25 2018-05-18 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 制冷机组和监控制冷机组的方法
US20220268504A1 (en) * 2021-02-23 2022-08-25 True Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Ice maker

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2011042555A1 (en) 2011-04-14

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