Cooling system diagnostic system apparatus and method

Abstract

An apparatus and method for diagnosing a cooling system includes a first sensor operable to detect a compressor supply amperage, a second sensor operable to detect a compressor supply voltage, and a third sensor operable to detect a compressor rotational speed. A controller in communication with the first, second and third sensors communicates with a computer that compares at least two of the supply amperage, supply voltage and rotational speed with normal operating parameters, and outputs a diagnosis.

1 . A cooling system diagnostic apparatus comprising: 
 a first sensor operable to detect a compressor supply amperage;    a second sensor operable to detect a compressor supply voltage;    a third sensor operable to detect a compressor rotational speed; and    a computer operable to output a diagnosis based on comparing at least two of said compressor supply amperage, said compressor supply voltage and said compressor rotational speed with normal operating parameters.    
     
     
         2 . The cooling system of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller in communication with said first sensor, said second sensor, and said third sensor, operable to receive a signal from said first sensor, said second sensor, and said third sensor, and operable to communicate said signal to said computer.  
     
     
         3 . The cooling system of  claim 1 , further comprising a fourth sensor operable to detect a low-side pressure.  
     
     
         4 . The cooling system of  claim 3 , further comprising a fifth sensor operable to detect a high-side pressure.  
     
     
         5 . The cooling system of  claim 4  wherein said computer is operable to output a diagnosis based on comparing said low-side pressure and said high side pressure and at least two of said compressor supply amperage, said compressor supply voltage and said compressor rotational speed, with normal operating parameters.  
     
     
         6 . The cooling system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a master computer disposed remote from said computer, wherein said computer and said master computer are in communication.    
     
     
         7 . The cooling system of  claim 6 , wherein said computer and said master computer are in communication through the Internet.  
     
     
         8 . The cooling system of  claim 6 , wherein said computer and said master computer are in wireless communication.  
     
     
         9 . The cooling system of  claim 1 , wherein said computer is operable to output repair instructions.  
     
     
         10 . The cooling system of  claim 1 , further comprising a barcode reader in communication with said computer.  
     
     
         11 . A method for diagnosing a cooling system comprising: 
 detecting a compressor supply amperage;    detecting a compressor supply voltage;    detecting a compressor rotational speed; and    comparing at least two of said compressor supply amperage, said compressor supply voltage and said compressor rotational speed with normal operating parameters;    outputting a diagnosis based on said comparing.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising detecting a low-side pressure.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising detecting a high-side pressure.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said comparing includes comparing said high-side pressure and said low-side pressure with normal operating parameters  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising communicating said compressor supply amperage, said compressor supply voltage and said compressor rotational speed to a remote computer  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said communicating includes communicating through the Internet.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said communicating includes communicating wirelessly.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising outputting repair instructions.