阅读说明：本技术 制冷剂泄漏传感器出行前检查序列和诊断 (Refrigerant leak sensor pre-trip inspection sequence and diagnosis ) 是由 C.G.雷皮切 M.斯托克布里奇 于 2020-04-09 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供对于配置成提供对于制冷剂泄漏传感器的出行前检查序列和诊断的系统的实施例。该系统包括传感器、风扇以及控制器。控制器进一步配置成：验证传感器的操作；至少部分地基于验证传感器的操作而操作风扇；以及响应于操作风扇,使用传感器来确定是否存在泄漏。控制器还配置成：执行制冷测试；使用传感器来确定是否存在泄漏；以及至少部分地基于确定存在泄漏而提供警报。还提供对于用于执行对于泄漏传感器的出行前检查序列和诊断的方法的实施例。(Embodiments are provided for a system configured to provide a pre-trip inspection sequence and diagnosis for a refrigerant leak sensor. The system includes a sensor, a fan, and a controller. The controller is further configured to: verifying operation of the sensor; operating a fan based at least in part on verifying operation of the sensor; and determining whether a leak is present using the sensor in response to operating the fan. The controller is further configured to: performing a refrigeration test; determining whether a leak is present using a sensor; and providing an alert based at least in part on determining that a leak is present. Embodiments are also provided for a method for performing a pre-trip inspection sequence and diagnosis for a leak sensor.)

1. A system, comprising:

a sensor;

a fan;

a controller, wherein the controller is configured to:

verifying operation of the sensor;

operating the fan based at least in part on verifying the operation of the sensor;

determining, using the sensor, whether a leak is present in response to operating the fan;

performing a refrigeration test;

determining whether a leak is present using the sensor; and

providing an alert based at least in part on determining that the leak is present.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a refrigeration system, wherein the refrigeration system comprises a compressor and a condenser.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the controller includes a low charge diagnostic calculation module for calculating a state of the refrigeration system, wherein the controller receives measurements from other sensors in the refrigeration system.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the refrigeration system is a transport refrigeration unit.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a refrigerant leak sensor.

6. A method for performing a pre-trip inspection sequence and diagnosis for a leak sensor, the method comprising:

verifying operation of the sensor;

operating an evaporator fan based at least in part on verifying operation of the sensor;

determining, using the sensor, whether a leak is present in response to operating the evaporator fan;

performing a refrigeration test of the refrigeration system;

determining whether a leak is present using the sensor; and

providing an alert based at least in part on determining that the leak is present.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein validating the sensor comprises: sending, by the controller, a signal to the sensor; and

a reading is received from the sensor.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein if the sensor failure is verified, providing a sensor repair alarm to indicate that the sensor requires repair.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the sensor is a refrigerant leak sensor.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the evaporator fan is operated prior to performing the refrigeration test.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein the evaporator fan is operated with the refrigeration test.

12. The method of claim 6, wherein the refrigeration test comprises: operating one or more components of the refrigeration system to test for component failure; and

tested for the presence of leaks.

13. The method of claim 6, further comprising initiating diagnostics for the sensor including calculating a low charge diagnostics for the refrigerant system.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: comparing the low charge diagnostic calculation to measured values from other sensors in the refrigeration system; and

comparing the result of the low charge diagnostic calculation to the state of the sensor.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising determining that there is a possible false alarm based on comparing the low charge diagnostic calculation to measurements obtained from the sensor.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the possible false alarm is present when the sensor indicates a sensor alarm and the low charge diagnostic calculation indicates that the refrigeration system is operating within its operating limits.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising: determining that a faulty sensor is present when the sensor does not indicate a sensor alarm and the low charge diagnostic calculation indicates that a leak has occurred in the refrigeration system and is operating outside of its operating limits.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising: venting the refrigeration system if the sensor detects a leak above a vent threshold value and the low charge diagnostic calculation indicates that the refrigeration system is operating within its limits.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: performing a recheck after repair or replacement of the sensor;

if the sensor provides a sensor alert, an additional sensor alert is provided to indicate that the sensor requires maintenance or repair.

20. The method of claim 6, wherein the refrigeration system is a transport refrigeration unit.

Background

The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to transport refrigeration units and, more particularly, to providing pre-trip inspection and diagnostics for refrigerant leak sensors.

Transport refrigeration units are used to cool cargo in trailers or cargo holds. The transport refrigeration unit can include various systems to provide air conditioning within the system. These systems can include: a power generation system having AC and DC components; and a refrigeration system having a compressor, a condenser, and a fan. In addition, these systems can be monitored using controllers and various types of sensors to adjust and ensure proper operation of the system.

Disclosure of Invention

According to an embodiment, a system configured to provide a pre-trip inspection sequence and diagnosis for a refrigerant leak sensor is shown. The system includes a sensor, a fan, and a controller. The controller is configured to: verifying operation of the sensor; operating a fan based at least in part on verifying operation of the sensor; and determining whether a leak is present using the sensor in response to operating the fan. The controller is further configured to: performing a refrigeration test; determining whether a leak is present using a sensor; and providing an alert based at least in part on determining that a leak is present.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, a further embodiment includes a refrigeration system, wherein the refrigeration system includes a compressor and a condenser.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, a further embodiment includes a controller having a low charge diagnostic calculation module for calculating a state of the refrigeration system, wherein the controller receives measurements from other sensors in the refrigeration system.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, a further embodiment includes a refrigeration system that is a transport refrigeration unit.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments include a refrigerant leak sensor.

According to an embodiment, a method for performing a pre-trip inspection sequence and diagnosis for a leak sensor is shown. The method comprises the following steps: verifying operation of the sensor; operating an evaporator fan based at least in part on operation of the verification sensor; and determining whether a leak is present using a sensor in response to operating the evaporator fan. The method further comprises the following steps: performing a refrigeration test of the refrigeration system; determining whether a leak is present using a sensor; and providing an alert based at least in part on determining that a leak is present.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments include: sending, by the controller, a signal to the sensor; and receiving a reading from the sensor.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments include: verify that the sensor has failed and provide a sensor service alarm to indicate that the sensor requires service.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments include a refrigerant leak sensor.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, a further embodiment includes an evaporator fan that is operated prior to performing the refrigeration test.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, a further embodiment includes an evaporator fan operating with a refrigeration test.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments include: operating one or more components of a refrigeration system to test for component failure; and testing for the presence of leaks.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, a further embodiment includes initiating a diagnostic for the sensor that includes calculating a low charge diagnostic for the refrigeration system.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments include: comparing the low charge diagnostic calculation to measured values from other sensors in the refrigeration system; and comparing the result of the low charge diagnostic calculation to the state of the sensor.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments include: the presence of a possible (or potential, i.e., potential) false alarm is determined based on comparing a low charge diagnostic calculation to measurements obtained from the sensor.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments include providing: there is a possible false alarm when the sensor indicates a sensor alarm and the low charge diagnostic calculation indicates that the refrigerant system is operating within its operating limits.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments include: when the sensor does not indicate a sensor alarm and the low charge diagnostic calculation indicates that a leak has occurred in the refrigeration system and is operating outside of its operating limits, it is determined that a faulty sensor is present.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments include: if the sensor detects a leak above the empty threshold value and the low charge diagnostic calculation indicates that the refrigerant system is operating within its limits, the refrigerant system is empty.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments include: the recheck is performed after the sensor is repaired or replaced, and if the sensor provides a sensor alert, an additional sensor alert is provided to indicate that the sensor requires repair or repair.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, a further embodiment includes a refrigeration system that is a transport refrigeration unit.

The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations that are not exclusive, unless expressly indicated otherwise. These features and elements, as well as their operation, will become more apparent in view of the following description and the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the following description and the accompanying drawings are intended to be illustrative and explanatory in nature, and not restrictive.

Drawings

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the embodiments will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a tractor trailer system having a transport refrigeration unit and a cargo compartment in an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 depicts a transport refrigeration unit for the cargo compartment of the tractor trailer system of FIG. 1 in an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 depicts a flow diagram of a method for verifying leak sensor operation in accordance with one or more embodiments; and

fig. 4 depicts a flow diagram of a method for performing diagnostics for a transport refrigeration unit in accordance with one or more embodiments.