System performance correction by modifying refrigerant composition in a refrigerant system

Abstract

An adequate operation and performance of a refrigerant system includes the steps of adding a refrigerant that is different from the original refrigerant, into the refrigerant system should any operational problems be observed during operation of the refrigerant system. As an example, should the refrigerant system be cycling frequently, a lower pressure refrigerant may be added or replace, partially or fully, the refrigerant the system being initially charged with. By making this change, the present invention can, for example, lower the provided system capacity, and hence reduce the amount of cycling. Additionally, conditioned space comfort and system reliability would be improved. Further, changes over time, such as the degradation of the heat exchanger performance, and their negative effect on system operation can be alleviated by such a refrigerant substitution.

1 . A method of operational maintenance for a refrigerant system comprising the steps of:
 (1) providing a refrigerant system having a compressor for compressing a first refrigerant, delivering that refrigerant to a first heat exchanger, then to an expansion device, and then to a second heat exchanger, the refrigerant returning from the second heat exchanger to the compressor;   (2) operating the refrigerant system and monitoring the operation of the refrigerant system;   (3) adding a distinct substance into the refrigerant should the monitoring of step (2) indicate that a distinct substance can assist in elimination of operational concerns.   
   
   
       2 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the said distinct substance has a different composition than said first refrigerant. 
   
   
       3 . (canceled) 
   
   
       4 . The method as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein said second refrigerant is a pure refrigerant. 
   
   
       5 . (canceled) 
   
   
       6 . The method as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the second refrigerant is operable at a lower pressure than the first refrigerant. 
   
   
       7 .- 10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein a portion of said first refrigerant is removed or added to the system. 
   
   
       12 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein a portion of said first refrigerant is not removed and not added to the system. 
   
   
       13 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the said distinct substance replaces a portion of the first refrigerant. 
   
   
       14 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein one of the concerns monitored in step (2) would be a high amount of cycling of the refrigerant system between on and off states. 
   
   
       15 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein one of the concerns monitored in step (2) would be a flammability of said first refrigerant. 
   
   
       16 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein one of the concerns monitored in step (2) would be whether at least one of the refrigerant system heat exchangers has degraded in any manner. 
   
   
       17 .- 18 . (canceled) 
   
   
       19 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein one of the concerns monitored in step (2) would be whether performance of said compressor has degraded in any manner. 
   
   
       20 . A refrigerant system comprising:
 a compressor for compressing refrigerant, delivering the first refrigerant to a first heat exchanger, then to an expansion device, then to a second heat exchanger, with the refrigerant returning from the second heat exchanger to the compressor, and the refrigerant system being initially charged with a first refrigerant; and   a second refrigerant added to the system, said second refrigerant being operable at a lower pressure than the first refrigerant the system being initially charged with.   
   
   
       21 . The refrigerant system as set forth in  claim 20 , wherein the first refrigerant is R410A and the second refrigerant is any one of R407C, R22, R134a, and R404A. 
   
   
       22 . The refrigerant system as set forth in  claim 20 , wherein the first refrigerant is R404A and the second refrigerant is any one of R407C, R22, and R134a. 
   
   
       23 . The refrigerant system as set forth in  claim 20 , wherein the first refrigerant is R407C and the second refrigerant is one of R22 and R134a. 
   
   
       24 . The refrigerant system as set forth in  claim 20 , wherein the first refrigerant is R22 and the second refrigerant is R134a. 
   
   
       25 . The refrigerant system as set forth in  claim 20 , wherein said second refrigerant is a pure refrigerant 
   
   
       26 . The refrigerant system as set forth in  claim 20 , wherein said second refrigerant is a refrigerant mixture. 
   
   
       27 . The refrigerant system as set forth in  claim 20 , wherein said first refrigerant is a pure refrigerant. 
   
   
       28 . The refrigerant system as set forth in  claim 20 , wherein said first refrigerant is a refrigerant mixture.