Spx Corporation

Sandra Snyder

Kenneth W Manz

Christopher M Powers

Daniel L Olds

One or more properties of a refrigerant are analyzed by evacuating a refrigerant sample vessel, drawing a refrigerant vapor sample into the vessel, and condensing the refrigerant sample within the vessel for measurement and indication of one or more desired properties of the liquid refrigerant sample. By drawing the sample refrigerant in vapor phase rather than liquid phase, the sample will be relatively free of lubricant, particulate or water contamination. The sample vessel can be readily cleaned by simple evacuation in preparation for the next measurement cycle.

Method and apparatus for analyzing refrigerant properties

Apparatus for identifying and distinguishing between at least two types of refrigerant that includes a fixed volume for containing a refrigerant sample at controlled vapor pressure. A thermistor provides a first electrical signal as a function of the combined effect of thermal conductivity and temperature of a refrigerant sample in the sample-containing volume, and a temperature sensor provides a second electrical signal as a function of temperature of the refrigerant vapor in the sample-containing volume essentially independent of thermal conductivity thereof. Associated electronics determines type of refrigerant in the sample-containing volume as a function of the first and second electrical signals, and thus as a function of thermal conductivity of the refrigerant sample independent of sample temperature. Since thermal conductivity of refrigerants at a given temperature and pressure varies for different refrigerant types, refrigerant type can be determined and displayed to an operator.

Apparatus for identifying and distinguishing different refrigerants

A refrigerant handling system that includes a closed vessel for storing refrigerant and an apparatus for determining quantity of air captured within the vessel. A first sensor is operatively coupled to the vessel for providing a first electrical signal as a function of air/refrigerant vapor pressure within the vessel, and a second sensor is operatively coupled to the vessel for providing a second electrical signal as a function of air/refrigerant vapor temperature within the vessel. A microprocessor-based controller has internal memory in which electronic indicia is stored for relating saturation pressure to temperature for multiple types of refrigerant. This stored electronic indicia is employed in conjunction with the first and second sensor signals to determine quantity of air within the vessel as a function of a difference between pressure indicated by the first sensor signal and the saturation pressure indicia at the temperature indicated by the second sensor signal. Air is purged from the vessel, either automatically or manually, when quantity of air so indicated exceeds a predetermined threshold.

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Bryan, OH, United States of America

Sandra Snyder