Abstract: An air conditioner includes a refrigerant circuit, an operation controlling section, a stability judging section, a refrigerant quantity judging section, and a condition changing section. The operation controlling section is capable of performing a refrigerant quantity judging operation to control constituent equipment to reach a predetermined target control value. The stability judging section judges whether or not the refrigerant quantity judging operation has stabilized. The refrigerant quantity judging section judges the adequacy of the refrigerant quantity in the refrigerant circuit by using an operation state quantity of constituent equipment or refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant circuit when it is judged that the refrigerant quantity judging operation has stabilized. The condition changing section changes the target control value in the refrigerant quantity judging operation when it is judged that the refrigerant quantity judging operation has not stabilized.

Abstract: There is disclosed a liquid discharge method in a temperature controller having a refrigerant circulation line circulating a refrigerant to a target of temperature control and a heater heating the target, wherein the refrigerant is circulated so as to control the temperature of the target with the refrigerant and the heater in the case where the temperature of the target is controlled to be a first temperature lower than or equal to a room temperature, wherein the circulation of the refrigerant is stopped so as to control the temperature of the target with the heater in the case where the temperature of the target is controlled to be a second temperature higher than the room temperature, wherein in the case of changing the setpoint of the target from the first temperature to the second temperature.

Abstract: Vapor compression air conditioning systems are provided with a flow restrictor for transferring working fluid to and from at least one of the compressor low pressure inlet conduit and compressor high pressure outlet conduit to provide for accurate charge adjustment to achieve predetermined fluid sub-cooling. Pressure and temperature measurements are taken at a condenser fluid outlet conduit and provided to a microcontroller for determining fluid sub-cooling and comparing sub-cooling with a predetermined target sub-cooling. A charge addition or recovery apparatus may include a solenoid valve controlled by the microcontroller to more accurately control the addition or recovery of refrigerant fluid charge.

Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus and a refrigerant quantity determination method are provided, whereby a refrigerant quantity can be determined in a simple and accurate manner without compromising the reliability of a compressor. A refrigerant circuit (10) has a compressor (21), an outdoor heat exchanger (23) that functions as a condenser, an indoor expansion valve (41, 51), an indoor heat exchanger (42, 52) that functions as an evaporator, an indoor unit interconnection pipe (4b, 5b), a liquid refrigerant connection pipe (6), a gas refrigerant connection pipe (7), and an outdoor unit interconnection pipe (8). A controller (9) performs liquefaction control for liquefying refrigerant and placing the refrigerant in a portion extending from the indoor expansion valve (41, 51) to the outdoor heat exchanger (23).

Abstract: An apparatus and method providing a refrigeration servicing system that comprises a clean refrigerant source, a recovery circuit and a flushing circuit. The recovery circuit can be configured to recover refrigerant from a cooling system. After recovery cycle is completed, the flushing circuit that is coupled to the recovery circuit can flush clean refrigerant through the recovery circuit. A housing can be provided and configured to house the refrigerant source, the recovery circuit and the flushing circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for displaying pressure on electrically driven analog-display pressure gauges.

Abstract: An air conditioner is provided with a refrigerant circuit and an operation controller. The refrigerant circuit includes a heat source unit, a refrigerant communication pipe, an expansion mechanism, and a utilization unit. The heat source unit has a compression mechanism and a heat source side heat exchanger. The heat source unit is connected to the refrigerant communication pipe. The utilization unit has a utilization side heat exchanger and is connected to the refrigerant gas communication pipe. The operation controller performs an oil-return operation in advance for returning oil pooled in the refrigerant circuit when a refrigerant quantity judging operation is carried out for judging the refrigerant quantity inside the refrigerant circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus and methodology are provided for advantageously increasing heat transfer between the evaporator/oil separator (“accumulator”) and condenser of a refrigerant recovery/recycling system, to increase the efficiency of the system and to simplify the system. Embodiments include a refrigerant recovery/recycling device comprising a compressor having a suction inlet and a discharge outlet; an accumulator fluidly connected to a refrigerant source and to the compressor suction inlet; a recovery tank fluidly connected to the compressor discharge outlet; and a heat exchanger for transferring heat from the recovery tank to the accumulator, for raising the temperature of the accumulator and lowering the temperature of the recovery tank.

Abstract: An air conditioner includes a compressor, first and second heat exchangers connected with high pressure piping, low pressure piping connecting the second heat exchanger to a compressor suction port, a pressure reducing mechanism arranged to reduce pressure in the high pressure piping, a bypass passageway, a vessel connected to the bypass passageway, and first and second opening/closing mechanisms. The first heat exchanger is connected to a compressor discharge port. The bypass passageway is arranged to divert refrigerant from the high pressure piping to the low pressure piping without passing through the second heat exchanger. The first opening/closing mechanism is arranged to open/close a first portion of the bypass passageway that connects the high pressure piping to the vessel. The second opening/closing mechanism is arranged to open/close a second portion of the bypass passageway that connects an upper part of the vessel to the low pressure piping.

Abstract: A portable recovery unit for automatically filling a background tank of blended refrigerant includes a main tank for holding recovered refrigerant from a vehicle A/C system which has a first chemical composition, and an auxiliary tank for holding an auxiliary supply of fresh refrigerant which has a second refrigerant composition. The auxiliary tank is arranged in fluid communication with the main tank so that fluid can be transferred from the auxiliary tank to the main tank. An electronic controller controls the flow of fluid from the auxiliary tank to the main tank. A refrigerant identifier is coupled to the main tank to sample and analyze the refrigerant in the main tank in order to determine the chemical composition of the refrigerant in the main tank, so the refrigerant in the main tank can be purified to an acceptable level based on that analysis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for washing cooling or air conditioning circuits, according to which a washing agent is conducted through said cooling or air conditioning circuit. Said agent dissolves and absorbs the soluble substances that adhere to the cooling or air conditioning circuits and discharges the mechanical contaminants. The washing agent is conducted through the cooling or air conditioning circuit that is washed in a closed cycle without escaping into the environment, by the pressure differential between the pressure chamber and the distillation chamber and is returned to the pressure chamber after being cleaned in the distillation chamber, compressed by a compressor and cooled in a condenser. The invention also relates to a device for washing cooling or air conditioning circuits, said device consisting of a pressure chamber containing a washing agent. The outlet pipe for fluid of the pressure chamber is connected to the cooling or air conditioning circuit that is washed.

Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus includes a refrigerant circuit, first and second shut-off mechanisms, a communication pipe and a refrigerant detection mechanism. The refrigerant circuit is configured to at least perform a cooling operation. The first shut-off mechanism is downstream of the receiver and upstream of the liquid refrigerant connection pipe when the cooling operation is performed. The second shut-off mechanism is downstream of the heat source-side heat exchanger and upstream of the receiver when the cooling operation is performed. The communication pipe interconnects the refrigerant circuit between the first and second shut-off mechanisms, and the refrigerant circuit on the suction side of the compressor. The refrigerant detection mechanism is upstream of the second shut-off mechanism when the cooling operation is performed.

Abstract: A method of operating a directed relief valve to ventilate a refrigerant by sensing the concentration of refrigerant leakage from the air conditioning system, and if the first concentration exceeds a threshold, by sensing a second concentration. If the first and second concentrations exceed a predetermined concentration, the system will send a leak message to the operator and/or ventilate the refrigerant to the surrounding atmosphere. The system continuously monitors the refrigerant leakage concentration when the vehicle engine is operative, but only periodically monitors the refrigerant leakage concentration when the vehicle engine is inoperative.

Abstract: An air conditioner is provided that is capable of allowing an operator to know, during a refrigerant charging operation using a cylinder, that the refrigerant cylinder is emptied without using a scale or the like. An air conditioner in which the refrigerant is charged using a cylinder containing the refrigerant includes a refrigerant circuit, a charge port, a downstream temperature sensor, an outdoor side controller, and a display unit. The refrigerant circuit is configured by the interconnection of a compressor, an outdoor side heat exchanger, an indoor side expansion valve, and an indoor side heat exchanger. The charge port is a port for charging the refrigerant into the refrigerant circuit from the cylinder. The downstream temperature sensor is provided in the vicinity of the charge port of the refrigerant circuit.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting a low charge condition in an air conditioner for a vehicle. The system first determines whether noise factors are present that would interfere with reliably measuring a pressure delta. If noise factors are not present, the system determines a pressure delta value for the compressor by comparing the high side pressure when the clutch is engaged to a high side pressure when the clutch is disengaged. If the pressure delta value is less than a threshold value, a low charge condition may be recorded. When the number of low charge conditions detected exceeds a predetermined number of events, the system may set a temperature diagnostic trouble code, disable the air conditioning system and alert the driver of a potential problem.

Abstract: A refrigerant charging system and method for charging a refrigeration system with a vapor-phase refrigerant includes a refrigerant source, an input line, a sensor and a pressure regulator. The input line connects the refrigerant source to the refrigeration system. One or more valves are disposed between the refrigerant source and refrigeration system to regulate the pressure of the refrigerant being introduced into the refrigeration system, and the sensor measures the pressure of the refrigerant entering the refrigeration system. A pressure regulator can also be used to regulator the flow of refrigerant. Once the pressure of the refrigerant reaches a predetermined pressure, the refrigeration system is fully charged, and the transfer of refrigerant to the refrigeration system is stopped. The system and method are used to charge the refrigeration system of, e.g., an automotive vehicle, and the refrigeration is carbon dioxide.

Abstract: An air conditioner has a heat source unit with a compressor and a heat source heat exchanger and utilization units with utilization expansion valves and utilization heat exchangers. The heat source unit and the utilization unit are interconnected via refrigerant communication pipes. The air conditioner is capable of switching and operating between a normal operation mode in which control of the respective devices is performed depending on the operation loads of the utilization units and a refrigerant quantity judging operation mode in which the utilization units perform cooling operation. The utilization expansion valves are controlled such that degrees of superheating at outlets of the utilization heat exchangers become a positive value, and an operation capacity of the compressor is controlled such that evaporation pressures in the utilization heat exchangers become constant.

Abstract: An air conditioner performs a refrigerant quantity judging operation to judge the refrigerant quantity in a refrigerant circuit, and includes a heat source unit, utilization units, expansion mechanisms, a first refrigerant gas pipe, a second refrigerant gas pipe, a refrigerant liquid pipe, switching mechanisms, temperature detecting means, and a controller. The heat source unit includes a compression means and a heat source side heat exchanger. The first refrigerant gas pipe is connected to the discharge side of the compression means. The switching mechanism can switch between a first state and a second state. The temperature detecting means are mounted on the first refrigerant gas pipe, and configured to detect a refrigerant temperature on the first refrigerant gas pipe side and output a refrigerant temperature detection value. The controller corrects the refrigerant quantity judged by a refrigerant quantity judging operation based on the refrigerant temperature detection value.

Abstract: The refrigerant service port valve for air conditioners has a valve body defining a main fluid conduit adapted for insertion into a coolant line using compression fittings at opposite ends of the conduit. A pedestal is mounted on the exterior conduit wall. The pedestal has a bore therethrough forming a lower service passage that enters the main fluid conduit, and an internally threaded blind bore parallel to the lower service passage. A slider is mounted on the pedestal, the slider having a male quick connect fitting defining an upper service passage. The upper service passage may be aligned with the lower service passage in an open position to service the system, or the slider may be moved to align the upper service passage with the blind bore to access a setscrew, which is raised partially into the upper service passage to lock the valve in a closed position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the sufficiency of refrigerant charge in an air conditioning system by the use of only two temperature measurements. The temperature of the liquid refrigerant leaving the condenser coil is sensed and the temperature of the condenser coil itself is sensed and the difference between these two measurements is calculated to provide an indication of the adequacy of refrigerant charge in the system. This process is refined by steps taken to eliminate measurements during transient operations and by filtering signals to eliminate undesirable noise. A permitted threshold of deviation is calculated by using probability theory.

Abstract: A refrigerant cooling system includes multiple evaporator coils fed by one variable refrigerant metering device and one or more fixed refrigerant metering devices. To avoid condensed moisture on the coils from being entrained by the supply air and ultimately adversely increasing the humidity of a room or comfort zone of a building, the variable refrigerant metering device delivers refrigerant to the evaporator's lowermost coil at a superheat that is less than that of the other higher coils. To operate the refrigerant system at various loads, two or more compressors are selectively energized individually and in combination for various stages of capacity, while the variable refrigerant metering device is active at each stage. The refrigerant system may include multiple refrigerant circuits that are hermetically isolated from each other, or two or more of the circuits may be in fluid communication with each other.

Abstract: To a refrigerant circuit (20) of an air conditioner (10) as a refrigerating apparatus, a plurality of outdoor units (30, 40) are connected. In an operation state where the first outdoor unit (30) is operated with the second outdoor unit (40) stopped, the air conditioner (10) performs refrigerant collection operation for collecting and retaining surplus refrigerant to and in a second outdoor heat exchanger (42) of the second outdoor unit (40). During the refrigerant collection operation, a second outdoor expansion valve (43) is closed fully, and a second outdoor fan (46) is operated. Part of refrigerant discharged from a first compressor (31) flows into the second outdoor heat exchanger (42) during the refrigerant collection operation. The refrigerant flowing in the second outdoor heat exchanger (42) dissipates heat to outdoor air to be condensed. Since the second outdoor expansion valve (43) is closed fully, the condensed refrigerant is retained in the second outdoor heat exchanger (42).

Abstract: Vapor compression air conditioning systems are provided with a flow restrictor for transferring working fluid to and from at least one of the compressor low pressure inlet conduit and compressor high pressure outlet conduit to provide for accurate charge adjustment to achieve predetermined fluid sub-cooling. Pressure and temperature measurements are taken at a condenser fluid outlet conduit and provided to a microcontroller for determining fluid sub-cooling and comparing sub-cooling with a predetermined target sub-cooling. A charge addition or recovery apparatus may include a solenoid valve controlled by the microcontroller to more accurately control the addition or recovery of refrigerant fluid charge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for indicating the status of the refrigerant charge in an air conditioning system based upon the degree of subcooling present in the condensed refrigerant system temperature measurements. The status of the refrigerant charge in the system is indicated in real-time on a service panel for access by a field service technician. The status of the refrigerant charge in the system on a time-average basis for a specified period of operation is presented on an indicator panel. The indicator panel includes a first indicator light indicating that the refrigerant charge is low, a second indicator light indicating that the refrigerant charge is high, and a third indicator light indicating that the refrigerant charge is correct.

Abstract: A refrigerant charging method in an air conditioner using carbon dioxide as a refrigerant includes a first refrigerant charging step and a second refrigerant charging step. The first refrigerant charging step is a step of charging a refrigerant charging target portion including refrigerant communication pipes with refrigerant in a gas state until the pressure of the refrigerant charging target portion rises to a predetermined pressure after the start of charging. The second refrigerant charging step is a step of charging the refrigerant charging target portion with refrigerant in a liquid state until the amount of refrigerant charging the refrigerant charging target portion becomes a predetermined amount. The second refrigerant charging step occurring after the first refrigerant charging step.

Abstract: A method of venting a refrigerant from an air conditioning system of a vehicle during a crash to mitigate leakage of the refrigerant into a cabin of the vehicle by crashing a test vehicle under a first set of predetermined conditions a number of crash events and measuring deceleration and determining the existence of leakage. The number of crash events in which leakage existed is divided by the number of crash events to establish a probability of leakage ratio. The test vehicle is crashed under a second set of predetermined conditions to determine a second probability of leakage ratio. A probability of leakage relationship is established correlating the probability of leakage ratios and the predetermined conditions. A deceleration relationship is established correlating the deceleration measurements and the predetermined conditions.

Abstract: A multi-fluid cooling system and method for cooling an electronic device are provided which employ freeze protection when in a shipping state. The cooling system includes a coolant loop having an expansion tank containing first and second fluids, which are immiscible and of different densities, and the second fluid freezes at a lower temperature than the first. The coolant loop further includes a first valve for facilitating coupling of the first fluid into the coolant loop and a second valve for facilitating coupling of the second fluid into the coolant loop, the first and second valves being independently controllable. Control logic electronically controls actuation of the first and second valves to automatically pass the first fluid through the coolant loop when the system is in an operational state and to automatically maintain the second fluid in the coolant loop when the system is in a shipping state.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a refrigerant level comprises a first detecting unit installed at a lower side of the inside of a refrigerant tank, for detecting whether a refrigerant stored at a lower side of the inside of the refrigerant is a liquefied refrigerant or a gaseous refrigerant, a second detecting unit installed at an upper side of the inside of the refrigerant tank, for detecting whether a refrigerant stored at an upper side of the inside of the refrigerant tank is a liquefied refrigerant and a gaseous refrigerant, and a control unit controlling intake and discharge of the liquefied refrigerant according to a value measured by the first detecting unit and the second detecting unit.

Abstract: There is disclosed a liquid discharge method in a temperature controller having a refrigerant circulation line circulating a refrigerant to a target of temperature control and a heater heating the target, wherein the refrigerant is circulated so as to control the temperature of the target with the refrigerant and the heater in the case where the temperature of the target is controlled to be a first temperature lower than or equal to a room temperature, wherein the circulation of the refrigerant is stopped so as to control the temperature of the target with the heater in the case where the temperature of the target is controlled to be a second temperature higher than the room temperature, wherein in the case of changing the setpoint of the target from the first temperature to the second temperature, when the temperature of the refrigerant rises to reach a first predetermined temperature lower than or equal to the boiling point of the refrigerant, the circulation of the refrigerant is stopped, one of air and an

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a mass of refrigerant, a reservoir containing a first portion of the mass of refrigerant, and a condenser containing a second portion of the mass of refrigerant. A first sensor is positioned to measure a first parameter of the reservoir and output a first signal indicative of the first parameter. A second sensor is positioned to measure a second parameter of the condenser and output a second signal indicative of the second parameter. A processor receives the first signal and the second signal to calculate a weight of missing refrigerant.

Abstract: A method of cleaning an air conditioner utilizing carbon dioxide as a working refrigerant includes three steps. In a charging step, a refrigeration cycle is charged with carbon dioxide. In a venting step, a charging target with which the refrigeration cycle is charged is vented after the charging step. In a repeating step a unit operation is performed at least one time or more. The unit operation includes the charging step and the venting step. An air conditioner includes a refrigeration cycle configured to perform the unit operation at least one time, and a counter configured to count and output the number of times that the unit operation has been performed.

Abstract: An air conditioner is provided with a refrigerant circuit, refrigerant stagnation judging means, and an operation controller. The refrigerant circuit is a circuit that includes a heat source unit, a refrigerant communication pipe, an expansion mechanism, and a utilization unit. A heat source unit and a utilization unit are connected to the refrigerant fluid communication pipes. The heat source unit has a compression mechanism and a heat source side heat exchanger. The refrigerant stagnation judging means can judge whether the refrigerant has stagnated inside the compression mechanism. The operation controller performs a refrigerant de-stagnation operation for eliminating stagnation of the refrigerant in the case that the refrigerant stagnation judging means has judged in advance that the refrigerant inside the compression mechanism has stagnated when a refrigerant quantity judging operation is carried out for judging the refrigerant quantity inside the refrigerant circuit.

Abstract: An air conditioner is provided with a refrigerant circuit and an operation controller. The refrigerant circuit includes a heat source unit, a refrigerant communication pipe, an expansion mechanism, and a utilization unit. The heat source unit has a compression mechanism and a heat source side heat exchanger. The heat source unit is connected to the refrigerant communication pipe. The utilization unit has a utilization side heat exchanger and is connected to the refrigerant gas communication pipe. The operation controller performs an oil-return operation in advance for returning oil pooled in the refrigerant circuit when a refrigerant quantity judging operation is carried out for judging the refrigerant quantity inside the refrigerant circuit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for non-invasively determining a charge level of a refrigerant in a vapor-compression cycle system. The method and apparatus monitor the system while the system is operated to ascertain that the system is operating at approximately steady-state. The superheat and the subcooling of the system are then determined at the suction line and at the liquid line, respectively, and the refrigerant charge level is calculated based on the determined subcooling, the determined superheat, and rated operating conditions of the system, including rated refrigerant charge level, rated liquid line subcooling, and rated suction line superheat.

Abstract: A Rankine cycle system has a condenser, a refrigerant circulating pump connected to the condenser, a heat collecting device connected to the refrigerant circulating pump, and an expansion turbine connected to the heat collecting device and the condenser. The refrigerant circulating pump includes an expansion tank or pressure vessel, a refrigerant supply conduit connected to the lower part of the expansion tank and to the condenser, and a refrigerant discharge conduit connected to the upper part of the expansion tank. An open/close valve is installed in the refrigerant supply conduit. A pressure regulating valve installed in the refrigerant discharge pipe opens when a pressure reaches a specified value or higher. A temperature regulating device can heat the refrigerant in the expansion tank to produce a refrigerant vapor of saturated temperature or higher, which vapor can be introduced into the heat collecting device.

Abstract: An air conditioner refrigerant circuit performs a cooling operation in which an outdoor heat exchanger functions as a condenser of the refrigerant compressed in a compressor and an indoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger. Further, an outdoor expansion valve is disposed at a position that is at once downstream of the outdoor heat exchanger and upstream of a liquid refrigerant communication pipe in the refrigerant flow direction in the refrigerant circuit in the cooling operation, and shuts off the refrigerant flow. A refrigerant detection unit is disposed upstream of the outdoor expansion valve and detects the amount or the amount-related value of refrigerant accumulated upstream of the outdoor expansion valve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the sufficiency of the refrigerant charge in an air conditioning system by use of temperature measurements. The temperature of the liquid refrigerant leaving the condenser coil and the outdoor temperature are sensed and representative electrical signals are generated. The electrical signals are converted to digital values that are than compared to predetermined optimal values to determine whether the system is properly charged with refrigerant. An appropriate LED is lighted to indicate that the system is undercharged, overcharged or properly charged. For non-TXV/EXV systems a third parameter i.e. the return air wet bulb temperature is also sensed and a representative digital value thereof is included in the comparison with the predetermined known values to determine if the charge is proper.

Abstract: A HVAC system and method for a vehicle is disclosed. The air conditioning portion of the HVAC system may be able to store and release refrigerant in charge bottle while operating in an air conditioning mode. The air conditioning portion of the HVAC system may be able to employ the refrigerant flowing through the evaporator to provide supplemental heat.

Abstract: A method for controlling the amount of a refrigerant of a dual type unitary air conditioner, which has a plurality of centralized warm and cold air circulators and at least one individual warm and cold air circulator, includes inputting the operation capacity of compressors of an outdoor unit of the dual type unitary air conditioner; setting a superheating temperature of the individual warm and cold air circulator to a relatively low value when the operation capacity is large, and setting the superheating temperature of the individual warm and cold air circulator to a relatively high value when the operation capacity is small; and controlling the amount of the refrigerant supplied to the individual warm and cold air circulator according to the superheating temperature, thereby appropriately maintaining the amount of the refrigerant supplied to the individual warm and cold air circulator provided in a designated place and thus forming the optimized refrigerant cycle.

Abstract: An air conditioner includes a refrigerant circuit, a refrigerant quantity calculating section, and a refrigerant quantity judging section. The refrigerant circuit includes a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor expansion valve, and an indoor heat exchanger interconnected together. The refrigerant quantity calculating section calculates the refrigerant quantity in the refrigerant circuit taking into account a dissolved refrigerant quantity that is the quantity of refrigerant dissolved in the refrigerating machine oil in the compressor, based on an operation state quantity of constituent equipment or refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant quantity judging section judges the adequacy of the refrigerant quantity in the refrigerant circuit based on the refrigerant quantity calculated by the refrigerant quantity calculating section.

Abstract: A refrigerant circuit and an operation control means are provided. A refrigerant circuit is configured by the interconnection of a heat source unit, a plurality of utilization units, and expansion mechanisms. The heat source unit has a compressor and a heat source side heat exchanger. The utilization units have utilization side heat exchangers. The operation control means is capable of performing a refrigerant quantity judging operation to control constituent equipment such that a first state value becomes a first target control value. In addition, during the refrigerant quantity judging operation, the operation control means maintains a cooling capacity of a first utilization unit among the plurality of utilization units, which air conditions a predetermined space.

Abstract: A method for monitoring refrigerant in a refrigeration system includes calculating a saturation temperature of refrigerant in a refrigeration system based on at least one of a discharge pressure and a discharge temperature of the refrigeration system; calculating an expected refrigerant level based on the saturation temperature; comparing the refrigerant level with the refrigerant level threshold; and generating a leak notification when the receiver refrigerant level is less than the refrigerant level threshold. The method may be executed by a controller or stored in a computer-readable medium.

Abstract: An air conditioning system having an outdoor heat exchanger and an indoor heat exchanger between which a refrigerant circulates to effect a heat exchange between the refrigerant and outdoor air at the outdoor heat-exchanger and to effect another heat exchange between the refrigerant and indoor air at the indoor heat exchanger, the air conditioning system which includes a compressor sucking the refrigerant to compress and discharging the resulting refrigerant, a liquid pump sucking the refrigerant to discharge, an expansion valve expanding the refrigerant, and an accumulator serving for gas-liquid separation of the refrigerant and accumulating the refrigerant in liquid phase, wherein when the compressor is brought into operation for indoor air cooling, the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion valve, the indoor heat exchanger, and the accumulator are connected in such an order to circulate the refrigerant therethrough, wherein suction lines of the respective compressor and liquid pump are in pa

Abstract: The sufficiency of refrigerant charge in an air conditioning system is determined by a comparison of two sensed temperatures in the system, one being the liquid line temperature and the other being either the outdoor temperature or the condenser coil temperature. In one embodiment the two sensed temperatures are displayed on respective thermochromic strips which are so calibrated and juxtaposed as to provide a visual indication, by the relative positions of the two displayed sensed temperatures, as to whether the refrigerant charge is adequate. In another embodiment, the sensed liquid line temperature is displayed by way of a plurality of LEDs and the other temperature is displayed by way of a marker on a temperature scale. If the two displayed temperatures are aligned, then the refrigerant charge is optimized, and if they are not aligned, the system is undercharged or overcharged.

Abstract: An air conditioner includes a refrigerant circuit configured to interconnect a heat source unit and a utilization unit, a transmission line that exchanges a signal between the heat source unit and the utilization unit, an information obtaining section, an operation controlling section capable of performing a refrigerant quantity judging operation, a refrigerant quantity judging section, and a condition setting section. The information obtaining section obtains information on the utilization unit connected to the heat source unit via the transmission line. The refrigerant quantity judging section judges the adequacy of the refrigerant quantity in the refrigerant circuit by using the operation state quantity of constituent equipment or refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant circuit in the refrigerant quantity judging operation.

Abstract: A portable recovery unit for automatically filling a background tank of blended refrigerant includes a main tank for holding recovered refrigerant from a vehicle A/C system which has a first chemical composition, and an auxiliary tank for holding an auxiliary supply of fresh refrigerant which has a second refrigerant composition. The auxiliary tank is arranged in fluid communication with the main tank so that fluid can be transferred from the auxiliary tank to the main tank. An electronic controller controls the flow of fluid from the auxiliary tank to the main tank. A refrigerant identifier is coupled to the main tank to sample and analyze the refrigerant in the main tank in order to determine the chemical composition of the refrigerant in the main tank, so the refrigerant in the main tank can be purified to an acceptable level based on that analysis.

Abstract: An air conditioner includes a refrigerant circuit, an operation controlling section, a stability judging section, a refrigerant quantity judging section, and a condition changing section. The operation controlling section is capable of performing a refrigerant quantity judging operation to control constituent equipment to reach a predetermined target control value. The stability judging section judges whether or not the refrigerant quantity judging operation has stabilized. The refrigerant quantity judging section judges the adequacy of the refrigerant quantity in the refrigerant circuit by using an operation state quantity of constituent equipment or refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant circuit when it is judged that the refrigerant quantity judging operation has stabilized. The condition changing section changes the target control value in the refrigerant quantity judging operation when it is judged that the refrigerant quantity judging operation has not stabilized.

Abstract: An air conditioner includes a refrigerant circuit, a refrigerant quantity calculating section, and a refrigerant quantity judging section. The refrigerant circuit is configured by the interconnection of a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, and an indoor heat exchanger. The refrigerant quantity calculating section uses a relational expression between the refrigerant quantity in each portion of the refrigerant circuit when the refrigerant circuit is divided into a plurality of portions and an operation state quantity of constituent equipment or refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant circuit in order to calculate the refrigerant quantity in each portion from the operation state quantity of constituent equipment or refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant quantity judging section uses the refrigerant quantity in each portion calculated by the refrigerant quantity calculating section in order to judge the adequacy of the refrigerant quantity in the refrigerant circuit.

Abstract: An air conditioner is arranged so as to be able to accurately judge a refrigerant filling state within the air conditioner regardless of environmental and installation conditions.

Abstract: A refrigerant leak-detection system is provided to monitor a level of refrigerant/refrigerant by-products in ambient air in a closed/semi-closed ventilated environment enclosing a refrigeration unit. The system comprises a sensor positioned in the ventilated environment to measure a level of refrigerant/refrigerant by-products in the ambient air, and a detection controller to receive signals associated with the level of refrigerant/refrigerant by-products in the ambient air and to perform an action as a function of the signals. The detection controller stops a ventilation unit for given periods of time to allow the sensor to measure the level of refrigerant/refrigerant by-products in the ambient air during the given periods of time. A method for monitoring the level of refrigerant/refrigerant by-products in ambient air in a closed/semi-closed ventilated environment enclosing a refrigeration unit is also provided.