Monitoring System for Detecting Low-Charge Condition in a Heat-Exchange System

Abstract

A monitoring system for detecting a low-charge condition in a heat-exchange system is provided. The monitoring system has a first set of sensors located at the outlet of a compressor of the heat-exchange system. The first set of sensors monitor a plurality of first parameters. Based on the plurality of first parameters, a processor determines the low-charge condition in the heat-exchange system.

1 . A monitoring system for detecting a low-charge condition in a heat-exchange system, the heat-exchange system comprising a compressor, the monitoring system comprising: 
 a. a first set of sensors located at an outlet of the compressor, the first set sensors monitoring a plurality of first parameters; and    b. a processor for determining the low-charge condition based on the plurality of first parameters.    
   
   
       2 . The monitoring system according to  claim 1 , wherein the processor further computes a degree of superheat based on the plurality of first parameters.  
   
   
       3 . The monitoring system according to  claim 2 , wherein the processor comprises a comparator for ascertaining the low-charge condition, wherein the low-charge condition is ascertained based on a comparison between the degree of superheat and a pre-defined degree of superheat.  
   
   
       4 . The monitoring system according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first parameters comprises pressure and temperature at the outlet of the compressor.  
   
   
       5 . The monitoring system according to  claim 1  further comprising a second set of sensors for monitoring a plurality of second parameters associated with the heat-exchange system, the plurality of second parameters being used for determining the low-charge condition.  
   
   
       6 . The monitoring system according to  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of second parameters is selected from the group comprising a blower speed, a relative humidity, a temperature, and an engine rotation per minute (RPM).  
   
   
       7 . An air-conditioning system comprising: 
 a. a compressor for compressing a refrigerant;    b. at least one condenser-coil for dissipating heat to environment, the heat being dissipated by the refrigerant in the at least one condenser-coil;    c. at least one expansion-valve for dropping pressure of the refrigerant;    d. at least one evaporator-coil for absorbing the heat from the environment, the heat is being absorbed by the refrigerant in the at least one evaporator-coil;    e. a first set of sensors located at an outlet of the compressor, the first set of sensors measuring a plurality of first parameters; and    f. a processor for determining a low-charge condition in the air-conditioning system based on the plurality of first parameters.    
   
   
       8 . The air-conditioning system according to  claim 7 , wherein the processor further calculates a degree of superheat based on the plurality of first parameters.  
   
   
       9 . The air-conditioning system according to  claim 8 , wherein the processor comprises a comparator for ascertaining the low-charge condition, wherein the low-charge condition is ascertained based on a comparison between the degree of superheat and a pre-defined degree of superheat.  
   
   
       10 . The air-conditioning system according to  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of first parameters comprises pressure and temperature at the outlet of the compressor.  
   
   
       11 . The air-conditioning system according to  claim 7  further comprising a second set of sensors for monitoring a plurality of second parameters associated with the air-conditioning system.  
   
   
       12 . The air-conditioning system according to  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of second parameters is selected from the group comprising a blower speed, a relative humidity, a temperature, and an engine rotation per minute (RPM).  
   
   
       13 . A method for detecting a low-charge condition in a heat-exchange system, the heat-exchange system comprising a compressor, the method comprising: 
 a. monitoring a plurality of first parameters, wherein the plurality of first parameters is monitored at an outlet of the compressor;    b. calculating a degree of superheat based on the plurality of first parameters; and    c. ascertaining the low-charge condition based on a comparison between the degree of superheat and a pre-defined degree of superheat.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of first parameters comprises pressure and temperature at the outlet of the compressor.  
   
   
       15 . The method of to  claim 13  further comprising monitoring a plurality of second parameters associated with the heat-exchange system, the plurality of second parameters being used for determining the low-charge condition.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of second parameters is selected from the group comprising a blower speed, a relative humidity, a temperature, and an engine rotation per minute (RPM).  
   
   
       17 . A method for detecting a low-lube condition in a heat-exchange system, the method comprising: 
 a. monitoring a plurality of first parameters associated with a lubricating fluid in the heat-exchange system;    b. computing a degree of superheat of the lubricating fluid based on the plurality of first parameters; and    c. ascertaining the low-lube condition based on a comparison between the degree of superheat of the lubricating fluid and a pre-defined degree of superheat.