System and method for managing and tracking refrigerant fluid

Abstract

Systems and methods for managing and tracking refrigerant fluid are disclosed. The systems and methods include the use of weight scales at storage areas for the refrigerant fluid containers and at refrigerant fluid recharge machines. A controller is configured to record the amounts of refrigerant fluid used. The controller can further manage use of the refrigerant fluid recharge machines, perform diagnostic functions including leak detection testing, and produce analytic reports on the use of the refrigerant fluid.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for tracking refrigerant fluid comprising:
 a controller; and   one or more refrigerant fluid recharge machines, each comprising a weight scale for measuring the weight of refrigerant fluid containers, the weight scale configured to transmit the measured weight to the controller; and;   wherein the controller enables operation of the one or more refrigerant fluid recharge machines after an authentication step; and   wherein the controller is further configured to determine a change in the amount of refrigerant fluid in a refrigerant fluid container after an operation involving the refrigerant fluid container.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the authentication step authenticates an operator of the one or more refrigerant fluid recharge machines. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the operator is authenticated using one or more of an employee ID, employee badge, phone identity provider application, biometric data, a QR Code, a Near Field Communication (NFC) tag, a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag, or an authentication code. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the authentication step verifies the operation. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the operation is servicing of an automotive vehicle and wherein the authentication step comprises inputting the automotive vehicle information. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the automotive vehicle information comprises the model and year of the automotive vehicle or a vehicle identification number (“VIN”). 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the authentication step comprises entering the type of work to be performed or a purchase order. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller determines the amount of refrigerant fluid to be dispensed by the refrigerant fluid recharge machine based on the authentication step. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller includes a database, and wherein the controller records the authentication step and the change in the amount of refrigerant fluid in the operation to the database. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the controller compares the amount of refrigerant fluid used in the operation against an expected amount of refrigerant fluid needed for the operation. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to generate a report summarizing the refrigerant fluid used for each authentication step. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller generates a report to indicate overbilling which is grouped by one of: persona, employee service date, service date range, VIN number, work order number, or vehicle type. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller generates a loss report that suggests possible sources of refrigerant loss. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller generates reports about use of the one or more refrigerant fluid recharge machines, and wherein the reports are communicated to a printer or external database. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller includes a diagnostic program. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the diagnostic program provides:
 visual instructions to a user to operate the diagnostic program; and   concurrently or sequentially runs hardware on the refrigerant fluid recharge machines.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the diagnostic program comprises visual, auditory, and haptic feedback. 
     
     
         18 . A diagnostic and troubleshooting system for an air-conditioning recharge machine comprising:
 a controller comprising a processor, memory, and hardware communication links to the air-conditioning recharge machine; the memory comprising a database of diagnostic programs and troubleshooting programs;   a user interface connected to the controller and comprising a screen for displaying information generated by the controller and receiving user input; and   wherein the controller is configured to run one or more of the diagnostic programs and troubleshooting programs;   the diagnostic programs and troubleshooting programs configured to run hardware on an air-conditioning recharge machine to verify operation of the air-conditioning recharge machine.   
     
     
         19 . The diagnostic and troubleshooting system of  claim 18 , wherein the diagnostic programs and troubleshooting programs comprise visual, auditory, and haptic feedback. 
     
     
         20 . The diagnostic and troubleshooting system of  claim 19 , wherein a user is prompted using visual, auditory, and haptic feedback on the user interface to physically configure the air-conditioning recharge machine for diagnostic or troubleshooting purposes. 
     
     
         21 . The diagnostic and troubleshooting system of  claim 20 , wherein the user interface guides a user through the diagnostic programs and troubleshooting programs.