Refrigerant Sensor Integration into Climate Control Systems

Abstract

Climate control systems that include a refrigerant leak sensor are disclosed. Embodiments may include control logic, a voltage source coupled to a switch and configured to output a constant AC voltage. The switch may be coupled to a first line input and a sensor may be coupled to the switch. The first line input may be coupled to the control logic and a blower control circuit may be coupled to the control logic. In operation, the switch may receive a signal from the sensor and the signal may indicate presence of a refrigerant in the vicinity of the sensor. Thereafter, the switch may operate to electrically couple the first line input to the voltage source. The control logic may detect the constant AC voltage at the line input and cause the blower control circuit to operate a blower to disperse the leaked refrigerant.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A climate control system comprising:
 one or more computer processors coupled to memory, the memory comprising control logic;   a voltage source coupled to a switch and configured to output a constant AC voltage, wherein the switch is coupled to a first line input that is coupled to the control logic;   a sensor coupled to the switch; and   a blower control circuit coupled to the control logic,   wherein:
 the switch receives a signal from the sensor, the signal indicating presence of a refrigerant in a vicinity of the sensor; 
 the switch operates to electrically couple the first line input to the voltage source; 
 the control logic detects the constant AC voltage at the first line input; and 
 the control logic causes the blower control circuit to operate a blower. 
   
     
     
         2 . The climate control system of  claim 1 , wherein the switch is further coupled to a first comfort alert subsystem. 
     
     
         3 . The climate control system of  claim 2 , wherein the first comfort alert subsystem is configured to one output of: 0V DC or a non-zero pulsed DC signal. 
     
     
         4 . The climate control system of  claim 2 , wherein the first line input is coupled to one of: the first comfort alert subsystem or the voltage source. 
     
     
         5 . The climate control system of  claim 2 , further comprising a second line input coupled to the control logic. 
     
     
         6 . The climate control system of  claim 5 , wherein the second line input is coupled to a second comfort alert subsystem. 
     
     
         7 . The climate control system of  claim 6 , wherein the first comfort alert subsystem and the second comfort alert subsystem are a same comfort alert subsystem. 
     
     
         8 . The climate control system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a refrigerant leak sensor. 
     
     
         9 . The climate control system of  claim 1 , wherein the switch is a double pole single throw (DPST) switch. 
     
     
         10 . A climate control system comprising:
 a phase monitoring circuit that outputs a constant voltage;   a first line input coupled to the phase monitoring circuit;   a switch coupled to the phase monitoring circuit, a second line input, a blower unit, and control logic; and   a sensor coupled to the control logic,   wherein, at a first time, the phase monitoring circuit is electrically coupled to the second line input via the switch;   wherein at a second time:
 the sensor sends a signal to the control logic; and 
 the control logic operates the switch to electrically disconnect the second line input from the phase monitoring circuit. 
   
     
     
         11 . The climate control system of  claim 10 , further wherein at the second time, the switch electrically couples the blower unit to the phase monitoring circuit. 
     
     
         12 . The climate control system of  claim 11 , wherein at the second time, the first line input is electrically decoupled from the phase monitoring circuit. 
     
     
         13 . The climate control system of  claim 10 , wherein at the second time, the second line input is coupled to the phase monitoring circuit. 
     
     
         14 . The climate control system of  claim 10 , wherein the switch is a double pole single throw (DPST) switch. 
     
     
         15 . A method comprising, by a climate control system:
 at a first time, electrically coupling, by a switch, a first voltage source to a first input, the first voltage source configured to output a first non-zero pulsed DC voltage or 0V;   at a second time, outputting by a sensor, data associated with detecting a refrigerant leak;   operating, based on the data, the switch to electrically decouple the first input from the first voltage source and electrically couple the first input to a second voltage source, the second voltage source configured to output a non-zero constant AC voltage;   detecting, by a control logic, the non-zero constant AC voltage at the first input; and   causing, by the control logic, operation of a blower unit.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising, at the second time:
 detecting, by the control logic, presence of a second non-zero pulsed DC voltage or 0V on a second input that is coupled to a comfort alert subsystem of the climate control system. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the second voltage source is shared with another component of the climate control system. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the switch is a double pole single throw (DPST) switch. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising, outputting an indication associated with the refrigerant leak. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising, at the first time:
 detecting presence of the first non-zero DC voltage at the first input; and   causing a compressor associated with the first voltage source to cease operation.