US 12,067,333 B2
Methods for estimating refrigerant charge for HVACR systems
Jian Ming Zhang, Shanghai (CN); Lifen Li, Jiangsu (CN); James P. Crolius, La Crosse, WI (US); and Scott A. Munns, Onalaska, WI (US)
Assigned to TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC., Davidson, NC (US)
Filed by TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC., Davidson, NC (US)
Filed on Sep. 19, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/933,356.
Application 17/933,356 is a continuation of application No. 16/420,932, filed on May 23, 2019, granted, now 11,449,650.
Claims priority of application No. 20181050107.3 (CN), filed on May 23, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2023/0014287 A1, Jan. 19, 2023
Int. Cl. G06F 17/18 (2006.01); F25B 49/02 (2006.01); G06F 30/20 (2020.01); G06F 111/10 (2020.01)
CPC G06F 30/20 (2020.01) [F25B 49/022 (2013.01); F25B 2500/19 (2013.01); F25B 2700/04 (2013.01); F25B 2700/1931 (2013.01); F25B 2700/21161 (2013.01); F25B 2700/21162 (2013.01); F25B 2700/21163 (2013.01); F25B 2700/21172 (2013.01); F25B 2700/21173 (2013.01); G06F 2111/10 (2020.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for estimating an amount of refrigerant charge for a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) system, the HVACR system including a compressor and an expansion device, the method comprising:
operating the HVACR system;
obtaining system parameters of the HVACR system during operation, the system parameters including suction superheat of the compressor, mass flow of the HVACR system, and mass flow or a degree of opening of the expansion device;
conducting a regression analysis on the system parameters to determine predictive parameters for estimating the amount of refrigerant charge, the predictive parameters including the suction superheat of the compressor, the mass flow of the HVACR system, and the mass flow or the degree of opening of the expansion device;
based on the regression analysis, establishing a relationship, the relationship being between the amount of refrigerant charge and the predictive parameters; and
estimating the amount of refrigerant charge for the HVACR system based on the established relationship.