Abstract:
A monitoring system for a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) system of a residential or commercial building includes an evaporator unit device and four temperature sensors. The evaporator unit device includes an electrical sensor that measures current supplied to a circulator blower of the HVAC system. The measured current from the first electrical sensor is used to diagnose a problem with the circulator blower. The first temperature sensor that measures a temperature of refrigerant flowing between a condenser of the HVAC system and an expansion valve of the HVAC system. The second temperature sensor measures a temperature of refrigerant flowing between an evaporator and a compressor. The third temperature sensor measures a temperature of air flowing away from the evaporator. The fourth temperature sensor measures a temperature of air flowing toward the evaporator. The evaporator unit device transmits sensor data to a remote monitoring service over a data network.
Abstract:
A portable monitoring system that monitors various aspects of the operation of a refrigerant-cycle system is described. In one embodiment, the system includes a processor that measures power provided to the refrigerant-cycle system and gathers data from one or more sensors and uses the sensor data to calculate a figure of merit related to the efficiency of the system. In one embodiment, the measurements performed by the monitoring system include one or more of: an evaporator input air temperature, an evaporator output air temperature, evaporator air flow, evaporator air humidity, condenser air input temperature, condenser air output temperature sensor, electrical power. In one embodiment, the portable monitoring system receives information about the refrigerant-cycle system from either the system itself or from a computer network.
Abstract:
A monitoring system for an HVAC system including an evaporator unit device, first and second temperature sensors, and a condenser unit. The evaporator unit device includes a first current sensor that measures current provided to a circulator blower and a differential pressure sensor that measures pressure between a point prior to a filter element and a point after the filter element. The first temperature sensor measures a refrigerant temperature between a condenser and an expansion valve. The second temperature sensor measures a refrigerant temperature between an evaporator and a compressor. The condenser unit device communicates with the evaporator unit device over low-voltage control lines, wherein the condenser unit comprises a second current sensor that measures current provided to the compressor. The evaporator unit device transmits sensor data to a remote monitoring service over a data network. An efficiency of the HVAC system is calculated based on the sensor data.
Abstract:
Methods of monitoring operation of a refrigerant-cycle system are disclosed. The methods include: measuring a first pressure of refrigerant input to a compressor of the refrigerant-cycle system using a first pressure sensor; measuring a first temperature of the refrigerant input to the compressor using a first temperature sensor; measuring a second pressure of refrigerant output by the compressor and input to a condenser of the refrigerant-cycle system using a second pressure sensor; measuring a second temperature of refrigerant output by the condenser using a second temperature sensor; measuring a third pressure of refrigerant output by the condenser using a third pressure sensor; and measuring current to the compressor using an electrical sensor. The methods further include identifying conditions of the refrigerant-cycle system based on the first temperature, the first pressure, the second temperature, the second pressure, the third pressure, and the current.
Abstract:
A monitoring system is disclosed for a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) system of a residential or commercial building. The monitoring system includes an evaporator unit device including a first current sensor that measures current supplied to a circulator blower. The measured current from the first current sensor is used to diagnose a problem with the circulator blower. The monitoring system includes a first temperature sensor that measures refrigerant temperature between a condenser and an expansion valve. The monitoring system includes a second temperature sensor that measures refrigerant temperature between an evaporator and a compressor. The monitoring system includes a condenser unit device that communicates with the evaporator unit device. The condenser unit device includes a second current sensor that measures current supplied to the compressor. The evaporator unit device transmits sensor data to a remote monitoring service over a data network.
Abstract:
Methods of monitoring operation of a refrigerant-cycle system are disclosed. The methods include: measuring a first pressure of refrigerant input to a compressor of the refrigerant-cycle system using a first pressure sensor; measuring a first temperature of the refrigerant input to the compressor using a first temperature sensor; measuring a second pressure of refrigerant output by the compressor and input to a condenser of the refrigerant-cycle system using a second pressure sensor; measuring a second temperature of refrigerant output by the condenser using a second temperature sensor; measuring a third pressure of refrigerant output by the condenser using a third pressure sensor; and measuring current to the compressor using an electrical sensor. The methods further include identifying conditions of the refrigerant-cycle system based on the first temperature, the first pressure, the second temperature, the second pressure, the third pressure, and the current.
Abstract:
A monitoring system for an HVAC system including an evaporator unit device, first and second temperature sensors, and a condenser unit. The evaporator unit device includes a first current sensor that measures current provided to a circulator blower and a differential pressure sensor that measures pressure between a point prior to a filter element and a point after the filter element. The first temperature sensor measures a refrigerant temperature between a condenser and an expansion valve. The second temperature sensor measures a refrigerant temperature between an evaporator and a compressor. The condenser unit device communicates with the evaporator unit device over low-voltage control lines, wherein the condenser unit comprises a second current sensor that measures current provided to the compressor. The evaporator unit device transmits sensor data to a remote monitoring service over a data network. An efficiency of the HVAC system is calculated based on the sensor data.
Abstract:
A monitoring system for monitoring operation of a refrigerant-cycle system is disclosed. An electrical sensor measures an electrical quantity indicative of power consumption of a component of the refrigerant-cycle system. A processing system selectively identifies a condition indicative of an airflow restriction through the refrigerant-cycle system based on the power consumption of the component.
Abstract:
A monitoring system for monitoring operation of a refrigerant-cycle system is disclosed. A condenser unit sensor measures an operating characteristic of a condenser unit, the condenser unit including a condenser and a compressor. An evaporator unit sensor measures an operating characteristic of an evaporator unit, the evaporator unit including an evaporator and a fan. An electrical sensor measures an electrical quantity indicative of power consumption of the refrigerant-cycle system. A processing system calculates an efficiency of the refrigerant-cycle system based on the power consumption of the refrigerant-cycle system, the operating characteristic of the condenser unit, and the operating characteristic of the evaporator unit.
Abstract:
A monitoring system for monitoring operation of a refrigerant-cycle system is disclosed. A first temperature sensor measures a first temperature of air at a first location downstream of an evaporator. A second temperature sensor measures a second temperature of air a second location upstream of the evaporator. A processing system determines a temperature drop across the evaporator based on the first temperature, the second temperature, and a humidity of air. The processing system that determines whether airflow through the evaporator is restricted based on the temperature drop across the evaporator.