Pressure regulation of an air conditioning system

Abstract

In various implementations, air conditioners may include a high pressure portion and a low pressure portion. A bypass line may divert a portion of the refrigerant from the high pressure portion to the low pressure portion to reduce the pressure of at least a part of the high pressure portion. The bypass line may be opened automatically.

1 . A method comprising:
 determining a first property reading of an air conditioner;   determining if the first property reading exceeds a first predetermined maximum property value;   allowing a portion of refrigerant in a high pressure portion of the air conditioner to flow to a low pressure portion of the air conditioner through a bypass line, if the first property reading exceeds the first predetermined maximum property value; and   reducing a pressure in a condenser of the air conditioner by allowing the portion of refrigerant to flow through the bypass line.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining a second property reading of the air conditioner;   comparing the second property reading to a second predetermined maximum property value, wherein the second predetermined maximum property value is less than the first predetermined maximum property value; and   restricting the flow of refrigerant through the bypass line if the second property reading is less than the second predetermined maximum property value.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining a second property reading of the air conditioner after determining the first property reading;   determining whether the second property reading exceeds the first predetermined maximum property value; and   allowing refrigerant to flow through one or more additional bypass lines if the second property reading exceeds the first predetermined maximum property value.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein allowing the portion of refrigerant in the high pressure portion of the air conditioner to flow to the low pressure portion of the air conditioner through the bypass line is controlled by an orifice in the bypass line. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the first property reading comprises determining a pressure proximate at least a portion of the condenser of the air conditioner. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the air conditioner comprises a high pressure switch that restricts operation of the air conditioner when a pressure in the air conditioner is greater than a maximum operational pressure; and   wherein the first predetermined maximum property value includes a pressure, and wherein the first predetermined maximum property value is a predetermined amount less than the maximum operational pressure.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first property reading includes at least one of a temperature, a pressure, a temperature differential, a pressure differential, a change in temperature, or a change in pressure. 
     
     
         8 . A method comprising:
 determining, using at least one sensor, whether a high property event in an air conditioning system is occurring; and   controlling, based at least partially upon whether the high property event is occurring, operation of a bypass line of the air conditioning system through which a portion of refrigerant in the air conditioning system may flow from a high pressure portion of the air conditioning system to a low pressure portion of the air conditioning system.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein determining whether a high property event is occurring comprises:
 measuring a plurality of properties of the air conditioning system;   comparing the measured plurality of properties of the air conditioning system to predetermined values for the plurality of properties; and   determining that the high property event is occurring based on the comparison of the measured plurality of properties and the predetermined values for the plurality of properties.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein controlling operation of the bypass line comprises:
 opening a valve in the bypass line to allow the portion of refrigerant to flow from the high pressure portion of the air conditioning system to the low pressure portion of the air conditioning system when the high property event is occurring.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein controlling operation of the bypass line comprises:
 closing a valve in the bypass line to restrict flow of the portion of refrigerant from the high pressure portion of the air conditioning system to the low pressure portion of the air conditioning system when the high property event is not occurring.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the high property event comprises a high temperature event. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the high property event further comprises a high pressure event. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the high pressure portion of the air conditioning system comprises a condenser of the air conditioning system. 
     
     
         15 . A method comprising:
 determining a property reading of an air conditioner comprising a microchannel condenser;   determining if the property reading exceeds a predetermined maximum property value, wherein the predetermined maximum property value is associated with high ambient temperature; and   if the property reading exceeds the predetermined maximum property value:
 divert a portion of refrigerant from a high pressure portion of the air conditioner to a low pressure portion of the air conditioner through a bypass line; and 
 allow the air conditioner to continue to operate during high ambient temperatures. 
   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein allowing the air conditioner to continue to operate during high ambient temperatures comprises maintaining pressure in the high pressure portion of the air conditioner below a predetermined pressure. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the predetermined pressure is a predetermined maximum pressure or a predetermined operational maximum pressure. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein allowing the air conditioner to continue to operate comprises inhibiting a pressure in the air conditioner from exceeding a maximum operational pressure. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein diverting the portion of refrigerant from the high pressure portion of the air conditioner to the low pressure portion of the air conditioner through the bypass line reduces pressure in at least part of the microchannel condenser. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the property reading includes at least one of a temperature, a pressure, a temperature differential, a pressure differential, a change in temperature, or a change in pressure.