Carrier Corporation

Other

Warren R Clough

Ivan Rydkin

Lei Chen

Zhiwei Yang

Zidu Ma

Larry D Burns

David A Condit

H Harvey Michels

Michael L Perry

Antonio M Vincitore

Lowell E Paige

Thomas J Garosshen

Mary Teresa Lombardo

Farley William Postgate

Nancy M Otto

William A Faris

Henry B Balduzzi

John Attanasio

A purge system for removing non-condensables from a chiller system includes a purge chamber, a plurality of carbon beds fluidly connected to the purge chamber into which a flow of refrigerant and non-condensables is selectably directed from the purge chamber to remove the non-condensables therefrom. A vent line is fluidly connected to the plurality of carbon beds to dispose of the collected non-condensables, and a heater is operably connected to the plurality of carbon beds to selectably heat one or more of the carbon beds of the plurality of carbon beds to release refrigerant therefrom and direct the released refrigerant to the purge chamber.

Purge system for chiller system

An HVAC system is provided having an air supply system, a refrigerant circuit configured to condition air in the air supply system, and an electrochemical sensor configured to detect a refrigerant leak from the refrigerant circuit.

Leak detection unit for refrigerant system

A method and an analyzer for detecting impurities in refrigerant (e.g. methyl chloride (R40) or Chlorodifiuoromethane (R22)), wherein the refrigerant analyzer () includes a first sensing device (), preferably a non-dispersive infrared sensor (NDIR), in flow communication with a second sensing device (), preferably an electrochemical sensor. The first sensing device is configured to determine a first characteristic of a refrigerant (e.g. absorbance in the IR range), and the second sensing device is configured to detect a second characteristic of the refrigerant (e.g. concentration in ppmv). Preferably, the refrigerant analyzer is a part of a system for detecting impurities () and further preferably it comprises flow regulators (), a scrubber () and a processor (). The scrubber is preferably in flow communication with the first sensing device and it preferably comprises a packing material comprising alumina (Al2O3, aluminum oxide).

Refrigerant analyzer and a method of using the same

A refrigerant analyzer including a pump, a filtering device, a temperature/humidity regulator, an electrochemical sensor, and a control device, wherein the refrigerant analyzer is configured to circulate conditioned air through the sensing chamber for an initialization duration of time to obtain an initial output value, determine whether the initial output value is stabilized below a predetermined initial limit, circulate a refrigerant through the sensing chamber for a sensing duration of time, operate the control device to measure a sensed output value, and operate the control device to determine a measured concentration of at least one contaminant within the refrigerant based on the sensed output value.

A heat transfer system is disclosed that includes a heat exchanger comprising an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path through the heat exchanger between the inlet and the outlet. The system also includes a fluid circulation loop external to the heat exchanger connecting the outlet to the inlet. A phase change composition is disposed in the system flowing through the fluid circulation loop and the flow path through the heat exchanger. This the phase change composition includes a first PCM that is a plant or animal or paraffinic oil having a first melting point and a second PCM that is a plant or animal or paraffinic oil having a second melting point lower than the first melting point.

Heat transfer system with phase change composition

A gas sensor for detecting one or more contaminants in a refrigerant includes a housing having disposed therein a membrane electrode assembly comprising a sensing electrode, a counter electrode, and a solid polymer electrolyte disposed between the sensing electrode and the counter electrode. The sensing electrode comprises nanoparticles of a first catalyst comprising noble metal. The counter electrode comprises nanoparticles of a second catalyst comprising noble metal. The sensing electrode in the sensor has been preconditioned by exposure under a positive voltage bias to a preconditioning gas comprising the contaminant(s) or their precursors or derivatives.

Detection of refrigerant contaminants

A method for testing a non-hydrocarbon refrigerant, such as CFC-12 or HFC-134a, in a closed system for hydrocarbons, HCFC-22 refrigerant and ammonia is provided wherein a sample of the non-hydrocarbon refrigerant is withdrawn from the closed system, the pressure of the sample is measured and a metered portion of the sample is passed through a test apparatus (20) including a testing tube (30), a testing tube holder (40) for supporting the testing tube (30) and outfitted with a vent (48) to the atmosphere, and a pressure gauge (70) for indicating the pressure of the sample withdrawn. A medium (38) for indicating the presence of hydrocarbons in the sample flow passing through the testing tube is deposited on a surface disposed in the testing tube. The presence of undesired HCFC-22 refrigerant in the CFC-12 or HFC-134a is indicated by a higher pressure reading on the pressure gauge (70). Finally, the presence of ammonia is sensed by its characteristic pungent odor as the refrigerant sample flow is vented to the atmosphere.

Method and apparatus for testing a non-hydrocarbon refrigerant

An improved vapor compression refrigeration system that has an indicator for detecting the presence of acid contamination in the refrigerant contained in the system. The indicator is permanently or semipermanently installed so that continuous monitoring of the refrigerant for acid is possible. The indicator is located in a portion of the system where the refrigerant is always in a gaseous state. In a preferred embodiment, the indicator is located in a bypass line between the suction and the discharge of the system compressor. The indicator preferably shows the presence of acid by a color change, visible from a point external to the indicator, in an indicator bed in the indicator. The color change may be either permanent or the indicator bed may return to its original color when the acid contamination is no longer present in the refrigerant.

Refrigeration system with installed acid contamination indicator

A method and apparatus for testing refrigerant of one type for contamination by refrigerant of another type as would be the case if an air conditioning or refrigeration system charged with a non-chlorofluorocarbon refrigerant received a replenishment charge of a chlorofluorocarbon refrigerant. A sample of the suspected refrigerant mix is exposed to a reagent that will decompose the contaminant refrigerant but not the refrigerant that is proper for the system. The sample is then tested for a product of the decomposition. If the product is present, then one can conclude that the contaminant refrigerant is present.

Growing community of inventors

Cicero, NY, United States of America

Warren R Clough