U.S. patent application number 16/972211 was filed with the patent office on 2022-06-23 for high flow isolation valve for air conditioning system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Carrier Corporation. Invention is credited to Richard G. Lord.
Application Number | 20220196271 16/972211 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006242947 |
Filed Date | 2022-06-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220196271 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lord; Richard G. |
June 23, 2022 |
HIGH FLOW ISOLATION VALVE FOR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM
Abstract
An air conditioning system includes an indoor unit located in or
connected to a conditioned space, and an outdoor unit located
outdoors at an exterior of the conditioned space. An input pathway
operably connects the outdoor unit to the indoor unit and is
configured to deliver a flow of liquid refrigerant from the outdoor
unit to the indoor unit during operation of the air conditioning
system. A return pathway operably connects the outdoor unit to the
indoor unit and configured to deliver a flow of vapor refrigerant
from the indoor unit to the outdoor unit. One or more high flow
fittings are located along each of the input pathway and the return
pathway, and are configured to automatically actuate from an open
position to a closed position in response to a flow rate of
refrigerant through the high flow fitting exceeding a preselected
threshold.
Inventors: |
Lord; Richard G.;
(Murfreesboro, TN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Carrier Corporation |
Palm Beach Gardens |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000006242947 |
Appl. No.: |
16/972211 |
Filed: |
September 10, 2020 |
PCT Filed: |
September 10, 2020 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2020/050045 |
371 Date: |
December 4, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62898879 |
Sep 11, 2019 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 11/84 20180101;
F24F 11/36 20180101; F25B 41/24 20210101; F25B 2500/222
20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24F 11/36 20060101
F24F011/36; F24F 11/84 20060101 F24F011/84 |
Claims
1. An air conditioning system, comprising: an indoor unit located
in the or connected to a conditioned space; an outdoor unit located
outdoors at an exterior of the conditioned space; an input pathway
operably connecting the outdoor unit to the indoor unit and
configured to deliver a flow of liquid refrigerant from the outdoor
unit to the indoor unit during operation of the air conditioning
system; a return pathway operably connecting the outdoor unit to
the indoor unit and configured to deliver a flow of vapor
refrigerant from the indoor unit to the outdoor unit; and one or
more high flow fittings disposed along each of the input pathway
and the return pathway configured to automatically actuate from an
open position to a closed position in response to a flow rate of
refrigerant through the high flow fitting exceeding a preselected
threshold.
2. The air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein a high flow
fitting of the one or more high flow fittings is disposed between a
condenser of the outdoor unit and an expansion valve of the indoor
unit.
3. The air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein a high flow
fitting of the one or more high flow fittings is disposed between
an evaporator of the indoor unit and a compressor of the outdoor
unit.
4. The air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the one or more
high flow fittings are disposed outdoors at the exterior of the
conditioned space.
5. The air conditioning of claim 1, wherein the refrigerant is one
rated by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air
Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) as A2L or A3.
6. The air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the automatic
actuation of the high flow fittings is in response to a leak of
refrigerant from the indoor unit.
7. The air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the one or more
high flow fittings each latch in the closed position once actuated
via a latching mechanism.
8. The air conditioning system of claim 7, wherein the latching
mechanism is one of a magnetic or mechanical latching
mechanism.
9. The air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein a high flow
fitting of the one or more high flow fittings is disposed between
an expansion valve of the outdoor unit and an evaporator of the
indoor unit.
10. A method of operating an air conditioning system, comprising:
providing one or more high flow fittings on a refrigerant flow line
between an indoor unit and an outdoor unit of the air conditioning
system; and automatically actuating by high flow the high flow
fittings from an open position to a closed position in response to
a mass flow of refrigerant across the high flow fittings exceeding
a threshold.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising latching the one or
more high flow fittings at the closed position.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising latching the one or
more high flow fittings via one of a magnetic or mechanical
latching mechanism.
13. The method of claim 10, further comprising resetting the one or
more high flow fittings to the opened position.
14. The method of claim 10, wherein the automatic actuation of the
one or more high flow fittings is in response to a leak of
refrigerant from the indoor unit.
15. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing a high
flow fitting of the one or more high flow fittings between a
condenser of the outdoor unit and an expansion valve of the indoor
unit.
16. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing a high
flow fitting of the one or more high flow fittings between an
evaporator of the indoor unit and a compressor of the outdoor
unit.
17. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing the one or
more high flow fittings outdoors at an exterior of a conditioned
space.
18. An air conditioning system, comprising: an indoor unit located
at a conditioned space, the indoor unit including: a heat
exchanger; and an expansion valve fluidly coupled to the heat
exchanger; an outdoor unit located outdoors at an exterior of the
conditioned space, the outdoor unit including: a compressor; and a
condenser fluidly coupled to the compressor; an input pathway
operably connecting the condenser to the expansion valve and
configured to deliver a flow of liquid refrigerant from the
condenser to the expansion valve during operation of the air
conditioning system; a return pathway operably connecting the heat
exchanger to the compressor, configured to deliver a flow of vapor
refrigerant from fan coil unit to the compressor; and one or more
high flow fittings disposed along each of the input pathway and the
return pathway, each high flow fitting configured to automatically
actuate from an open position to a closed position in response to a
flow rate of refrigerant through the high flow fitting exceeding a
preselected threshold, the flow rate exceeding the threshold due to
a leak of refrigerant from the indoor unit.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application No.
62/898,879, filed on Sep. 11, 2019, which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Exemplary embodiments pertain to moderate-to-low global
warming potential (GWP) value refrigerant leak detection and
mitigation.
[0003] Air conditioning systems for residential or commercial
spaces or buildings typically include an indoor unit or section of
a packaged unit and an outdoor unit or section of a packaged unit.
The outdoor unit circulates a flow of refrigerant to an indoor
unit, which is utilized to cool and dehumidify an airflow via
thermal interaction with the refrigerant, and thus condition a
selected space.
[0004] This refrigerant, historically, has been provided as a fluid
with a high global warming potential (GWP) value such as R134A or
R410A. Thus, although the refrigerants that have been used
previously are effective coolants, the negative effect they can
have on the environment has led to regulatory requirements to
transition to refrigerants which have moderate-to-low GWP
values.
[0005] Moderate-to-low GWP value refrigerants (i.e., A2L) can be
mildly flammable, however, and thus their use in air conditioning
systems can present a fire risk that needs to be addressed. It is
desired to reduce the exposure of the conditioned space to such
refrigerants. In particular, to the extent that refrigerant leaks
are possible in air conditioning systems, the use of
moderate-to-low GWP value refrigerants makes refrigerant leak
detection and mitigation mandatory especially for indoor units of
ducted residential heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)
products and other similar systems.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0006] In one embodiment, an air conditioning system includes an
indoor unit located in or connected to a conditioned space, and an
outdoor unit located outdoors at an exterior of the conditioned
space. An input pathway operably connects the outdoor unit to the
indoor unit and is configured to deliver a flow of liquid
refrigerant from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit during
operation of the air conditioning system. A return pathway operably
connects the outdoor unit to the indoor unit and configured to
deliver a flow of vapor refrigerant from the indoor unit to the
outdoor unit. One or more high flow fittings are located along each
of the input pathway and the return pathway, and are configured to
automatically actuate from an open position to a closed position in
response to a flow rate of refrigerant through the high flow
fitting exceeding a preselected threshold.
[0007] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments
a high flow fitting of the one or more high flow fittings is
located between a condenser of the outdoor unit and an expansion
valve of the indoor unit.
[0008] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments
a high flow fitting of the one or more high flow fittings is
located between an evaporator of the indoor unit and a compressor
of the outdoor unit.
[0009] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments
the one or more high flow fittings are located outdoors at the
exterior of the conditioned space.
[0010] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments
the refrigerant is one rated by the American Society of Heating,
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) as A2L or
A3.
[0011] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments
the automatic actuation of the high flow fittings is in response to
a leak of refrigerant from the indoor unit.
[0012] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments
the one or more high flow fittings each latch in the closed
position once actuated via a latching mechanism.
[0013] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments
the latching mechanism is one of a magnetic or mechanical latching
mechanism.
[0014] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments
a high flow fitting of the one or more high flow fittings is
located between an expansion valve of the outdoor unit and an
evaporator of the indoor unit.
[0015] In another embodiment, a method of operating an air
conditioning system includes providing one or more high flow
fittings on a refrigerant flow line between an indoor unit and an
outdoor unit of the air conditioning system, and automatically
actuating by high flow the high flow fittings from an open position
to a closed position in response to a mass flow of refrigerant
across the high flow fittings exceeding a threshold.
[0016] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments
the one or more high flow fittings are latched at the closed
position.
[0017] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments
the one or more high flow fittings are latched via one of a
magnetic or mechanical latching mechanism.
[0018] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments
the one or more high flow fittings are reset to the opened
position.
[0019] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments
the automatic actuation of the one or more high flow fittings is in
response to a leak of refrigerant from the indoor unit.
[0020] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments
a high flow fitting of the one or more high flow fittings is
located between a condenser of the outdoor unit and an expansion
valve of the indoor unit.
[0021] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments
a high flow fitting of the one or more high flow fittings is
located between an evaporator of the indoor unit and a compressor
of the outdoor unit.
[0022] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments
the one or more high flow fittings are provided outdoors at an
exterior of a conditioned space.
[0023] In yet another embodiment, air conditioning system includes
an indoor unit located at a conditioned space. The indoor unit
includes a fan coil unit, and an expansion valve fluidly coupled to
the fan coil unit. An outdoor unit is located outdoors at an
exterior of the conditioned space. The outdoor unit includes a
compressor and a condenser fluidly coupled to the compressor. An
input pathway operably connects the condenser to the expansion
valve and is configured to deliver a flow of liquid refrigerant
from the condenser to the expansion valve during operation of the
air conditioning system. A return pathway operably connects the fan
coil unit to the compressor, and is configured to deliver a flow of
vapor refrigerant from fan coil unit to the compressor. One or more
high flow fittings are located along each of the input pathway and
the return pathway. Each high flow fitting is configured to
automatically actuate from an open position to a closed position in
response to a flow rate of refrigerant through the high flow
fitting exceeding a preselected threshold, the flow rate exceeding
the threshold due to a leak of refrigerant from the indoor
unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] The following descriptions should not be considered limiting
in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like
elements are numbered alike:
[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of an
air conditioning system;
[0026] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a fan
coil unit;
[0027] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of
a high flow fitting; and
[0028] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a method of operating
an air conditioning system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the
disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of
exemplification and not limitation with reference to the
Figures.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, illustrated is an embodiment of an air
conditioning system 10. The air conditioning system 10 includes and
indoor unit/section 12 used to cool a building 14 or other
conditioned space, such as a container or refrigerated truck. An
outdoor unit/section 16 is fluidly connected to the indoor unit 12
and is located outdoors, at an exterior of the building 14 or
conditioned space.
[0031] The outdoor unit 16 includes a compressor 18 and a condenser
20 in a serial arrangement with an expansion device 22 and an
evaporator 24 of the indoor unit 12. The indoor unit 12 and outdoor
unit 16 define a vapor compression cycle in which refrigerant 26
flows as indicated by the arrow. The compressor 18 receives
refrigerant vapor from the evaporator 24 and compresses it to a
higher temperature and pressure, with the relatively hot vapor then
passing to the condenser 20 where it is cooled and condensed to a
liquid state by a heat exchange relationship with a cooling medium
(not shown) such as air. The liquid refrigerant 26 then passes from
the condenser 20 to an expansion device 22, wherein the refrigerant
26 is expanded to a low temperature two-phase liquid/vapor state as
it passes to the evaporator 24. At the evaporator 24 a flow of
relatively warm return air 28 is urged across the evaporator 24 by,
for example, an evaporator fan 30. The return air 28 is cooled via
thermal energy exchange with the refrigerant 26 flowing through the
evaporator 24, and is flowed into the conditioned space 14 as
supply air 32. The low pressure refrigerant vapor then returns to
the compressor 18 where the cycle is repeated.
[0032] The indoor unit 12 is operably connected to the outdoor unit
16 via two refrigerant pathways, including an input pathway 34
extending from the condenser 20 to the expansion device 22 to
deliver liquid refrigerant 26 from the condenser 20 to the
expansion device 24, and a return pathway 36 extending from the
evaporator 24 to the compressor 18 to deliver vapor refrigerant 26
from the evaporator 24 to the compressor 18. It is to be
appreciated that this arrangement is merely exemplary, and that in
other embodiments other arrangements may be utilized.
[0033] Referring again to FIG. 1, additionally in some embodiments,
a pump 38 is located along the input pathway 34 to urge the liquid
refrigerant 26 to the indoor unit 12. Referring now to FIG. 2, the
evaporator 24 and the evaporator fan 30 may comprise a fan coil
unit (FCU) disposed in an FCU housing 40. Return air 28 is admitted
to the FCU housing 40 via a housing inlet 42, urged across the
evaporator 24 by the evaporator fan 30, and flowed out of the FCU
housing 40 into the conditioned space 14 via a housing outlet 44 as
supply air 32.
[0034] The refrigerant 26 is typically one rated by the and
American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Engineers ASHRAE 34 Standard as A2L or A3, with an example of an
A2L rated refrigerant 26 being R-454B or R32.
[0035] Referring again to FIG. 1, one or more high flow fittings 46
are positioned along the input pathway 34 and/or the return pathway
36. In one embodiment, the high flow fittings 46 are located
outdoors, at the exterior of the building or conditioned space 14.
The high flow fittings 46 are open during normal operation, and are
configured to close in the event of a refrigerant leak in the
indoor portion 12 to reduce the occurrence of refrigerant leakage
into the conditioned space 14. When a significant refrigerant leak
occurs, a flow rate of refrigerant across the high flow fittings 46
increases, and when the flow rate exceeds a preselected threshold,
a flow rate that the high flow fitting may be calibrated for, the
high flow fitting 46 automatically actuates from an open to a
closed position as a reaction to the flow rate exceeding the
threshold, thereby stopping the flow of refrigerant through the
high flow fittings 46 and thereby stopping the flow of refrigerant
along the input pathway 34 and/or the return pathway 36 to and
through the indoor portion 12. Stoppage of the refrigerant flow
into and through the indoor portion 12 reduces leakage of
potentially hazardous refrigerant material into the conditioned
space 14. In some embodiments, the high flow fitting 46 will
actuate from the open position to the closed position at a
threshold flow rate that is in the range of 10% to 30% greater than
a maximum flow rate of non-leak operation of the air conditioning
system 10.
[0036] Referring to the exemplary high flow fitting 46 of FIG. 3,
the high flow fitting 46 is configured with a latching mechanism
48, for example a magnetic latching mechanism 48 such as shown, in
which the high flow fitting 46 latches in the closed position once
actuated from the open position to the closed position via the flow
rate of the refrigerant exceeding the threshold. Once latched in
the closed positon, therefore, the high flow fitting 46 may only be
reset to the open position by intervention of an operator or
service technician, for example. While a magnetic latching
mechanism 48 is illustrated in FIG. 3, other types of latching
mechanisms 48, such as a mechanical or electromagnetic latching
mechanism 48 may be utilized.
[0037] While in the embodiment of FIG. 1, high flow fittings 46 are
located at both the input pathway 34 and/or the return pathway 36,
it is to be appreciated that in other embodiments a single high
flow fitting 46 located at, for example, the input pathway 34 may
be used.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 4, shown is a schematic illustration of a
method 100 of operating an air conditioning system 10 is
illustrated. In block 102, one or more high flow fittings 46 are
provided on a refrigerant flow line between an indoor unit 12 and
an outdoor unit 16 of the air conditioning system 10. In the event
of a refrigerant leak in the indoor unit 12, the one or more high
flow fittings 46 automatically actuate from an open position to a
closed position at block 104 in response to an increase in mass
flow of refrigerant across the high flow fittings 46 due to the
leak. At block 106 the high flow fittings 46 latch at the closed
position. The leak is repaired or otherwise addressed at block 108,
after which the high flow fittings 46 may be reset to the open
position at block 110. At block 112, once the high flow fittings 46
have been reset, operation of the air conditioning system 10 is
restarted.
[0039] The air conditioning system 10 disclosed therein including
the high flow fittings 46 provides added protection for air
conditioning systems 10 utilizing mildly flammable low GWP
refrigerants in reducing leakage of the refrigerant into the
conditioned space 14 in the event of a catastrophic leak from the
indoor unit 12 of the air conditioning system 10.
[0040] The term "about" is intended to include the degree of error
associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon
the equipment available at the time of filing the application.
[0041] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a",
"an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well,
unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further
understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when
used in this specification, specify the presence of stated
features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components,
but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other
features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or
groups thereof.
[0042] While the present disclosure has been described with
reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be
made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof
without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In
addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular
situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure
without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it
is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the
particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for
carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present
disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of
the claims.
* * * * *