Snap-on Inc.

Spx Corporation

Kenneth R Meldahl

Craig F Govekar

Dean P Pfefferle

Anwar Suharno

Larry G Moller

A refrigerant charging system for charging a refrigeration system with refrigerant includes a refrigerant source, a storage vessel, input and output lines, and a device for detecting mass of refrigerant within the storage vessel. The input line fluidly connects the refrigerant source to the storage vessel, and the output line extends from the storage vessel and is adapted to connect to the refrigeration system. The system also includes an input control valve disposed between the storage vessel and the refrigerant source, and an output control valve disposed between the storage vessel and the refrigeration system. A heater is connected to the refrigerant source for raising the temperature of refrigerant within the refrigerant source. A method of charging a refrigeration system is also disclosed. The system and method are useful to charging the refrigerant system of an automotive vehicle, among others.

System for refrigerant charging with constant volume tank

A charging system for charging a refrigeration system of a vehicle includes a controller, a refrigerant source, at least one line fluidly connecting the refrigerant source to the refrigeration system; a control valve disposed to control flow of the refrigerant from the refrigerant source to the refrigeration system, and an efficiency sensor for measuring the efficiency of the refrigeration system. The controller operates to cause the charging system to input into the refrigeration system a predetermined amount of refrigerant less than a recommended refrigerant charge amount; measure a baseline efficiency of the refrigeration system, input a supplemental amount of refrigerant into the refrigeration system, measure an adjusted efficiency of the refrigeration system, and compare the measured adjusted efficiency to the baseline efficiency using the controller.

Refrigerant charging by optimum performance

A refrigerant charging system and method for charging a refrigeration system with refrigerant includes a refrigerant source, one or more cartridges, an input line, a scale, a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor. The input line connects the refrigerant source to the cartridge. A valve is disposed between the refrigerant source and cartridge. The scale measures the weight of the cartridge. The pressure and temperature sensors adjust the remaining refrigerant that ensures full charge on the refrigeration system. A heater can be connected to the refrigerant source to raise the temperature of the refrigerant within the refrigerant source, and a controller can be attached to the components of the refrigeration charging system. The system and method are used to charge the refrigeration system of, e.g., an automotive vehicle.

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Fox Lake, IL, United States of America

Kenneth R Meldahl