US 12,405,042 B2
System with leak detection for detecting refrigerant leak
Zidu Ma, Cypress, TX (US)
Assigned to Goodman Manufacturing Company, L.P., Waller, TX (US)
Filed by Goodman Manufacturing Company, L.P., Waller, TX (US)
Filed on Jun. 17, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/745,246.
Application 18/745,246 is a continuation of application No. 18/058,398, filed on Nov. 23, 2022, granted, now 12,013,163.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/266,183, filed on Dec. 30, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2024/0337423 A1, Oct. 10, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F24F 11/36 (2018.01); F25B 49/00 (2006.01); F25B 49/02 (2006.01)
CPC F25B 49/022 (2013.01) [F24F 11/36 (2018.01); F25B 49/005 (2013.01); F25B 2500/222 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system for use with a refrigerant, comprising:
a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, and an indoor heat exchanger connected as components of a refrigerant circuit for the refrigerant, wherein the indoor heat exchanger locatable in an indoor section and a fluid flow is induced across the indoor heat exchanger in a first direction; and
a leak detection system for detecting a leak of the refrigerant from at least one of the components, comprising:
collection chambers locatable proximate more than one of the components, each collection chamber comprising a port through which the fluid flow is drawn;
a sensor assembly comprising an enclosure comprising an inlet, a leak-detection fluid flow path, an outlet, a sensor located in the leak-detection fluid flow path, and a fan located in the leak-detection fluid flow path; and
flowlines connecting the collection chambers with the sensor assembly such that the sensor assembly is locatable away from the collection chambers and the components and outside of the indoor section;
wherein the fan is operable to induce flow of the fluid flow into the collection chambers and from the collection chambers into the sensor assembly; and
wherein the sensor is operable to analyze the fluid flow from the collection chambers and detect a leak of the refrigerant from at least one of the components.