Method and Apparatus For Calibrating And Testing Multiple Superheat Controllers

Abstract

A method of calibrating a plurality of superheat controllers includes attaching a plurality of superheat controllers to a manifold assembly, enclosing the manifold assembly within an environmental chamber, and simultaneously calibrating a pressure sensor within each of the plurality of superheat controllers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of calibrating a plurality of superheat controllers comprising:
 attaching a plurality of superheat controllers to a manifold assembly;   enclosing the manifold assembly within an environmental chamber; and   simultaneously calibrating a pressure sensor within each of the plurality of superheat controllers.   
     
     
         2 . The method of calibrating a plurality of superheat controllers according to  claim 1 , further including a final function test comprising:
 individually checking functional test parameters of each superheat controller subsequent to the step of simultaneously calibrating a pressure sensor within each of the plurality of superheat controllers.   
     
     
         3 . The method of calibrating a plurality of superheat controllers according to  claim 2 , wherein the final function test further includes removing the manifold assembly from the environmental chamber and allowing the superheat controllers attached thereto to stabilize at room temperature prior to individually checking functional test parameters of each superheat controller. 
     
     
         4 . The method of calibrating a plurality of superheat controllers according to  claim 3 , wherein the final function test further includes reading a time stamp and identifying information from a superheat processor within the SHC being tested. 
     
     
         5 . The method of calibrating a plurality of superheat controllers according to  claim 1 , wherein the manifold assembly includes a manifold frame, a manifold having a plurality of fluid conduits mounted to the manifold frame, and a plurality of superheat controller fittings mounted to the fluid conduits, each superheat controller fitting configured to have a superheat controller attached thereto. 
     
     
         6 . The method of calibrating a plurality of superheat controllers according to  claim 5 , wherein each superheat controller fitting is a male fitting having an O-ring mounted about an outside surface at an open end thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The method of calibrating a plurality of superheat controllers according to  claim 6 , wherein the O-ring defines a fluid tight seal between the superheat controller fitting and a sealing surface of a fluid inlet member of the superheat controller. 
     
     
         8 . The method of calibrating a plurality of superheat controllers according to  claim 5 , further including stabilizing the temperature within the environmental chamber at a first temperature. 
     
     
         9 . The method of calibrating a plurality of superheat controllers according to  claim 8 , further including introducing pressurized gas into the manifold assembly at a first pressure while the temperature within the environmental chamber is at the first temperature and reading an output signal of a pressure sensor within the superheat controller. 
     
     
         10 . The method of calibrating a plurality of superheat controllers according to  claim 9 , further including introducing pressurized gas into the manifold assembly at a second pressure while the temperature within the environmental chamber is at the first temperature and reading an output signal of a pressure sensor within the superheat controller. 
     
     
         11 . The method of calibrating a plurality of superheat controllers according to  claim 10 , further including stabilizing the temperature within the environmental chamber at a second temperature. 
     
     
         12 . The method of calibrating a plurality of superheat controllers according to  claim 11 , further including introducing pressurized gas into the manifold assembly at the first pressure while the temperature within the environmental chamber is at the second temperature and reading an output signal of a pressure sensor within the superheat controller. 
     
     
         13 . The method of calibrating a plurality of superheat controllers according to  claim 12 , further including introducing pressurized gas into the manifold assembly at the second pressure while the temperature within the environmental chamber is at the second temperature and reading an output signal of a pressure sensor within the superheat controller. 
     
     
         14 . A manifold assembly configured to calibrate and test one or more superheat controllers comprising:
 a manifold frame;   a manifold having a plurality of fluid conduits mounted to the manifold frame; and   a plurality of superheat controller fittings mounted to the fluid conduits, each superheat controller fitting configured to have a superheat controller attached thereto.   
     
     
         15 . The manifold assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein each superheat controller fitting is a male fitting having an O-ring mounted about an outside surface at an open end thereof, and wherein the O-ring defines a fluid tight seal between the superheat controller fitting and a sealing surface of a fluid inlet member of the superheat controller. 
     
     
         16 . The manifold assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the manifold includes a plurality of fluid conduits connected to one another by connecting fluid conduits. 
     
     
         17 . The manifold assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the manifold frame includes an electrical connector configured to connect each superheat controller to a source of electrical power. 
     
     
         18 . The manifold assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the manifold includes a gas line connector attached to an inlet end thereof and configured for attachment to a source of pressurized gas. 
     
     
         19 . The manifold assembly according to  claim 18 , wherein the manifold includes a pressure transducer attached to an outlet end thereof and configured to one of sense and measure gas pressure within the fluid conduits of the manifold. 
     
     
         20 . A pressure-calibration stand configured to calibrate and test a plurality of superheat controllers comprising:
 an environmental chamber;   a computer;   a source of pressurized gas;   a first data acquisition module having a pressure gauge therein;   a second data acquisition module connected to a temperature sensor within the environmental chamber;   an air regulator and filter mounted between the source of pressurized gas and the first data acquisition module;   a power supply; and   a manifold assembly configured to be mounted within the environmental chamber, the manifold assembly comprising:
 a manifold frame; 
 a manifold having a plurality of fluid conduits mounted to the manifold frame and connected to the source of pressurized gas, a gas line connector attached to an inlet end thereof and configured for attachment to a source of pressurized gas, and a pressure transducer attached to an outlet end thereof and configured to one of sense and measure gas pressure within the fluid conduits of the manifold; and 
 a plurality of superheat controller fittings mounted to the fluid conduits, each superheat controller fitting configured to have a superheat controller attached thereto; 
   wherein each superheat controller fitting is a male fitting having an O-ring mounted about an outside surface at an open end thereof, and wherein the O-ring defines a fluid tight seal between the superheat controller fitting and a sealing surface of a fluid inlet member of the superheat controller.