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Virtual Refrigerant Charge Level Gauge

Summary

This technology could be included in original equipment controls as part of a permanently installed control or monitoring system to indicate charge level and/or to automatically detect and diagnose low or high levels of refrigerant charge. It could be used as a standalone tool by technicians on their handheld diagnostic device to determine existing charge during the process of adjusting refrigerant charge. Vapor compression cycle equipment could benefit from implementation of this technology, including air conditioners, heat pumps, chillers, refrigerators, and coolers. This technology has been theoretically proven and experimentally validated to be robust against variations in operating conditions and other system faults. This technology uses low cost sensors that are easily retrofitted and noninvasive; therefore, it does not increase the risk of refrigerant leakage while being significantly less expensive and faster to implement and easier to use on multiple types of systems compared to current testing methods.

Technology Benefits

System can remain on during measurementLow cost and easily retrofitted Noninvasive; it does not cause leaks

Technology Application

Refrigerator manufacturersSensor manufacturersConsumer add-on

Detailed Technology Description

James BraunPurdue Mechanical Engineering

Countries

United States

Application No.

7,631,508

*Abstract

*Background

Current systems for monitoring refrigerant charge while a system is in operation can be costly and difficult to use. Researchers at Purdue University have developed a device that determines the level of refrigerant charge using low-cost, non-invasive measurements obtained while the system is operating.

*IP Issue Date

Dec 15, 2009

*IP Type

Utility

*Stage of Development

Prototype Testing Validated Range of Parts

*Web Links

Purdue Office of Technology CommercializationPurdueInnovation and EntrepreneurshipJames BraunPurdue Mechanical Engineering

Country/Region

USA