Compression cooling system and method for evaluating operation thereof

Abstract

A method for evaluating operation of a compression cooling system includes the steps of: (a) in no particular order: (1) measuring a first temperature of the refrigerant in a saturated state; and (2) measuring a second temperature of the refrigerant in a liquid state; and (b) calculating a difference between the first temperature and the second temperature to determine the extant amount of subcooling to which the refrigerant is subjected.

1 . A method for evaluating operation of a compression cooling system; the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) in no particular order: 
 (1) measuring a first temperature of said refrigerant in a saturated state; and  
 (2) measuring a second temperature of said refrigerant in a liquid state; and  
   (b) calculating a difference between said first temperature and said second temperature to determine the extant amount of subcooling to which said refrigerant is subjected.    
   
   
       2 . A method for evaluating operation of a compression cooling system as recited in  claim 1  wherein the method comprises the further step of: 
 (c) comparing said extant amount of subcooling with a predetermined acceptable amount of subcooling.    
   
   
       3 . A method for evaluating operation of a compression cooling system as recited in  claim 2  wherein the method comprises the further step of: 
 (d) changing amount of refrigerant in said cooling system when said extant amount of subcooling differs from said predetermined acceptable amount of subcooling by greater than a predetermined amount.    
   
   
       4 . A method for evaluating operation of a compression cooling system as recited in  claim 1  wherein the method comprises the further step of: 
 (c) adding refrigerant to said cooling system when said extant amount of subcooling is less than a predetermined acceptable amount of subcooling.    
   
   
       5 . A method for evaluating operation of a compression cooling system as recited in  claim 3  wherein the method comprises the further step of: 
 (e) repeating steps (a) through (d) until said extant amount of subcooling differs from said predetermined acceptable amount of subcooling by less than said predetermined amount.    
   
   
       6 . A method for evaluating operation of a compression cooling system as recited in  claim 4  wherein the method comprises the further step of: 
 (d) repeating steps (a) through (c) until said extant amount of subcooling differs from said predetermined acceptable amount of subcooling by less than a predetermined amount.    
   
   
       7 . A method for evaluating refrigerant charge in a compression cooling system; said system including a first system portion in which said refrigerant is substantially always in a saturated state and a second system portion in which said refrigerant is substantially always in a liquid state; the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) in no particular order: 
 (1) measuring a first temperature of said refrigerant in said first system portion; and  
 (2) measuring a second temperature of said refrigerant in said second system portion;  
   (b) calculating a difference between said first temperature and said second temperature to determine the extant amount of subcooling effected by said system.    
   
   
       8 . A method for evaluating refrigerant charge in a compression cooling system as recited in  claim 7  wherein the method comprises the further step of: 
 (c) comparing said extant amount of subcooling with a predetermined acceptable amount of subcooling.    
   
   
       9 . A method for evaluating refrigerant charge in a compression cooling system as recited in  claim 8  wherein the method comprises the further step of: 
 (d) changing amount of refrigerant in said cooling system when said extant amount of subcooling differs from said predetermined acceptable amount of subcooling by greater than a predetermined amount.    
   
   
       10 . A method for evaluating refrigerant charge in a compression cooling system as recited in  claim 7  wherein the method comprises the further step of: 
 (c) adding refrigerant to said system when said extant amount of subcooling differs from said predetermined acceptable amount of subcooling by less than a predetermined amount.    
   
   
       11 . A method for evaluating refrigerant charge in a compression cooling system as recited in  claim 9  wherein the method comprises the further step of: 
 (e) repeating steps (a) through (d) until said extant amount of subcooling differs from said predetermined acceptable amount of subcooling by less than said predetermined amount.    
   
   
       12 . A method for evaluating refrigerant charge in a compression cooling system as recited in  claim 10  wherein the method comprises the further step of: 
 (d) repeating steps (a) through (c) until said extant amount of subcooling differs from said predetermined acceptable amount of subcooling by less than a predetermined amount.    
   
   
       13 . A compression cooling system comprising: 
 (a) a compressor, an evaporator and a condenser fluidly coupled by at least one fluid carrying line containing a refrigerant;    (b) a first temperature measuring device connected with said system for measuring a first temperature of said refrigerant in a saturated state; and    (c) a second temperature measuring device connected with said system for measuring a second temperature of said refrigerant in a liquid state.    
   
   
       14 . A compression cooling system as recited in  claim 13  wherein the system further comprises: 
 (d) a calculating device coupled with said first temperature measuring device and said second temperature measuring device; said calculating device calculating a difference between said first temperature and said second temperature to determine an extant amount of subcooling effected by said system.    
   
   
       15 . A compression cooling system as recited in  claim 14  wherein the system further comprises: 
 (e) fluid access fittings in said fluid carrying line for effecting fluid communication with the system from without the system; said fluid access fittings being configured to accommodate a user coupling a refrigerant source with said fittings for changing charge of said refrigerant within said system when said extant amount of subcooling differs from a predetermined acceptable amount of subcooling by greater than a predetermined amount.    
   
   
       16 . A compression cooling system as recited in  claim 15  wherein said predetermined acceptable amount of subcooling is provided to said user by a tool; said tool being external of said system.  
   
   
       17 . A compression cooling system as recited in  claim 15  wherein said predetermined acceptable amount of subcooling is provided to said user by said calculating device.  
   
   
       18 . A compression cooling system as recited in  claim 13  wherein the system further comprises: 
 (e) fluid access fittings in said at least one fluid carrying line for effecting fluid communication with the system from without the system; said fluid access fittings being configured to accommodate a user coupling a refrigerant source with said fittings for changing charge of said refrigerant within said system when said extant amount of subcooling differs from a predetermined acceptable amount of subcooling by greater than a predetermined amount.