Remote Diagnostics and Prognostics for Refrigerant Systems

Abstract

There is provided a refrigerant system including a plurality of components for regulating operational parameters of the refrigerant system, at least one transducer connected to the refrigerant system for monitoring the operational parameters of the refrigerant system, and a controller. The controller is remotely connected to the at least one transducer and to at least one component of the plurality of components for at least periodically receiving parameter information from the at least one transducer to monitor the operational parameters and determine, based on variations in at least one parameter of the operational parameters, whether a condition exists in the refrigerant system that requires corrective action. The corrective action may include moving the refrigerant system to a lighter mode of operation by unloading or even shutting down some of the refrigerant system components. There is also provided a method for monitoring the refrigerant system.

1 . A method for monitoring a refrigerant system, comprising the steps of:
 detecting operational parameters of said refrigerant system at least periodically, and during an operation of said refrigerant system, via at least one transducer connected to said refrigerant system;   receiving parameter information, to monitor said operational parameters, from said at least one transducer via a controller remotely connected to said at least one transducer and to at least one component of a plurality of components;   determining, based on variations in at least one parameter of said operational parameters, whether a condition exists in said refrigerant system that requires corrective action; and   remotely controlling at least one of said plurality of components to operate said refrigerant system in a light mode.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein controller is remotely connected to said at least one transducer via a local system controller, and wherein said controller controls said local system controller to operate and monitor said refrigerant system. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said controller is connected to said at least one transducer through the Internet. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said operational parameters are continuously detected and parameter information is continuously received. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said condition is selected from the group consisting of the following:
 a potential malfunction of one or more of said components   a degradation of system operation caused by one or more of said components, and   a combination thereof.   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said step of determining whether said potential malfunction exists includes switching at least one component of said plurality of components from a first operating state to a second operating state, observing a variation in an operational parameter resulting from said switching, comparing said observed variation with an expected variation due to said switching, and detecting a substantial difference between said observed variation and said expected variation. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said step of determining whether said degradation exists includes detecting degradation in said operational parameters over a period of time. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising the further step of generating a response if said condition exists, wherein said response is selected from the group consisting of:
 generating a signal indicating that said condition exists,   generating a repair or maintenance request,   remotely controlling at least one of said plurality of components to alter operational parameters to perform at least one of a function selected from the group consisting of remedying said condition and avoiding further damage to said refrigerant system, and   any combinations thereof.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said signal and said repair or maintenance request include an identification of one or more of said plurality of components that are causing said condition. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said controlling at least one of said plurality of components includes at least one action selected from the group consisting of:
 shutting down one or more of said plurality of components, and   shutting down said refrigerant system.   
   
   
       11 . A refrigerant system comprising:
 a plurality of components for regulating operational parameters of said refrigerant system;   at least one transducer connected to said refrigerant system for monitoring said operational parameters of said refrigerant system;   a controller remotely connected to said at least one transducer and to at least one component of said plurality of components for at least periodically receiving parameter information from said at least one transducer to monitor said operational parameters and determine, based on variations in at least one parameter of said operational parameters, whether a condition exists in said refrigerant system that requires corrective action and remotely controlling at least one of said plurality of components to operate said refrigerant system in a light mode.   
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein controller is remotely connected to said at least one transducer via a local system controller, and wherein said controller controls said local system controller to operate and monitor said refrigerant system. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said controller is connected to said at least one transducer through the Internet. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said condition is selected from the group consisting of the following:
 a potential malfunction of one or more of said components,   a degradation of refrigerant system operation caused by one or more of said components, and   a combination thereof.   
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said controller detects a potential malfunction by switching at least one component of said plurality of components from a first operating state to a second operating state, observing a variation in an operational parameter resulting from said switching, comparing said observed variation with an expected variation due to said switching, and detecting a substantial difference between said observed variation and said expected variation. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said controller detects a degradation of system operation by detecting degradation in said operational parameters over a period of time. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said controller generates a response if said condition exists, wherein said response is selected from the group consisting of:
 generating a signal indicating that said condition exists,   generating a repair or maintenance request,   remotely controlling at least one of said plurality of components to alter said operational parameters to perform at least one of a function selected from the group consisting of remedying said condition and avoiding further damage to said refrigerant system,   and any combinations thereof.   
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein said signal and said repair or maintenance request include an identification of one or more of said plurality of components that are causing said condition. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein said controlling at least one of said plurality of components includes at least one action selected from the group consisting of:
 shutting down one or more of said plurality of components, and   shutting down said refrigerant system.   
   
   
       20 . (canceled)