Refrigerant leak-detection systems

Abstract

A refrigerant leak-detection system is provided to monitor a level of refrigerant/refrigerant by-products in ambient air in a closed/semi-closed ventilated environment enclosing a refrigeration unit. The system comprises a sensor positioned in the ventilated environment to measure a level of refrigerant/refrigerant by-products in the ambient air, and a detection controller to receive signals associated with the level of refrigerant/refrigerant by-products in the ambient air and to perform an action as a function of the signals. The detection controller stops a ventilation unit for given periods of time to allow the sensor to measure the level of refrigerant/refrigerant by-products in the ambient air during the given periods of time. A method for monitoring the level of refrigerant/refrigerant by-products in ambient air in a closed/semi-closed ventilated environment enclosing a refrigeration unit is also provided.

1 . A refrigerant leak-detection system of the type used to monitor a level of refrigerant/refrigerant by-products in ambient air in a closed/semi-closed ventilated environment enclosing a refrigeration unit, comprising:
 a sensor positioned in the ventilated environment, the sensor being provided to measure a level of refrigerant/refrigerant by-products in the ambient air; and   a detection controller for receiving signals associated with the level of refrigerant/refrigerant by-products in the ambient air, and for performing an action as a function of the signals, the detection controller stopping a ventilation unit for given periods of time to allow the sensor to measure the level of refrigerant/refrigerant by-products in the ambient air during the given periods of time.   
   
   
       2 . The refrigerant leak-detection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the detection controller is connected to the ventilation unit to control a ventilation of the ventilated environment. 
   
   
       3 . The refrigerant leak-detection system according to  claim 2 , wherein the detection controller modifies a time delay between the given periods of time as a function of the signals received. 
   
   
       4 . The refrigerant leak-detection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the action performed by the detection controller comprises actuating an alarm. 
   
   
       5 . The refrigerant leak-detection system according to  claim 4 , wherein the alarm is a visual alarm on a monitor associated with the detection controller. 
   
   
       6 . The refrigerant leak-detection system according to  claim 5 , wherein the visual alarm is an off-site visual alarm. 
   
   
       7 . The refrigerant leak-detection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the detection controller is connected to the refrigeration unit and the action performed by the detection controller comprises stopping at least partially the refrigeration unit. 
   
   
       8 . The refrigerant leak-detection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor measures the level of refrigerant/refrigerant by-products only during the given periods of time. 
   
   
       9 . The refrigerant leak-detection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the refrigeration unit is a refrigeration pack. 
   
   
       10 . A method for monitoring a level of refrigerant/refrigerant by-products in ambient air in a closed/semi-closed ventilated environment enclosing a refrigeration unit, comprising:
 stopping a ventilation unit from circulating air in/out of the closed/semi-closed ventilated environment at given periods of time;   measuring the level of refrigerant/refrigerant by-products in the ambient air during the given periods of time; and   actuating an alarm if the level of refrigerant/refrigerant by-products is away from a threshold value.   
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein stopping the ventilation unit comprises varying the given period of time for stopping the ventilation unit as a function of the measured level of refrigerant/refrigerant by-products. 
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein measuring the level of refrigerant/refrigerant by-products in the ambient air comprises measuring the level during the given periods of time and outside the given periods of time. 
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein actuating an alarm comprises actuating a visual alarm on a controller monitor for an operator of the refrigeration unit. 
   
   
       14 . A method for monitoring a level of refrigerant/refrigerant by-products in ambient air in a closed/semi-closed ventilated environment enclosing a refrigeration unit, comprising:
 temporarily stopping a ventilation unit from circulating air in/out of the closed/semi-closed ventilated environment at given periods of time;   measuring the level of refrigerant/refrigerant by-products in the ambient air during the given periods of time; and   stopping the refrigeration unit at least partially if the level of refrigerant/refrigerant by-products is above a threshold value.   
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein stopping the ventilation unit comprises varying the given period of time for stopping the ventilation unit as a function of the measured level of refrigerant/refrigerant by-products. 
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein measuring the level of refrigerant/refrigerant by-products in the ambient air comprises measuring the level during the given periods of time and outside the given periods of time.