US 12,123,605 B2
Sensor system for leak detection and management in heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems
Daniel R. Rumler, New Berlin, WI (US); Denis Sterjo, Milwaukee, WI (US); Rex Jeremiah Allen, Milwaukee, WI (US); Daniel Disch, Brookfield, WI (US); Dominika Steinova, Wauwatosa, WI (US); and Mylsamy M., Milwaukee, WI (US)
Assigned to TYCO FIRE & SECURITY GMBH, Neuhausen am Rheinfall (CH)
Filed by Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP, Milwaukee, WI (US)
Filed on Aug. 19, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/406,890.
Prior Publication US 2023/0058790 A1, Feb. 23, 2023
Int. Cl. F24F 11/36 (2018.01); F24F 11/77 (2018.01); F24F 11/86 (2018.01); G05B 19/042 (2006.01)
CPC F24F 11/36 (2018.01) [F24F 11/77 (2018.01); F24F 11/86 (2018.01); G05B 19/042 (2013.01); G05B 2219/25257 (2013.01); G05B 2219/2614 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system, comprising:
a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system comprising one or more devices, wherein the one or more devices comprise a fan, a compressor, and a heater; and
a sensor system, wherein the sensor system is a standalone device disposed within the HVAC system, and the sensor system comprises:
a refrigerant sensor;
a microcontroller configured to:
receive refrigerant concentration data indicative of a first amount of refrigerant from the refrigerant sensor;
determine that the first amount of refrigerant exceeds a first threshold;
activate the fan, deactivate the compressor, and deactivate the heater by sending one or more signals to one or more components in response to a determination that the first amount of refrigerant exceeds the first threshold, wherein the one or more components comprise a relay device, a triode for alternating current (TRIAC) device, or both, and the one or more components are configured to couple to the one or more devices;
receive additional refrigerant concentration data indicative of a second amount of refrigerant from the refrigerant sensor subsequent to the determination that the first amount of refrigerant exceeds the first threshold;
implement a time delay period in response to a determination that the second amount of refrigerant is less than the first threshold; and
deactivate the fan, activate the compressor, activate the heater, or a combination thereof, by sending one or more updated signals to the one or more components in response to expiration of the time delay period;
a power source coupled to the refrigerant sensor and the microcontroller, wherein the power source comprises a battery and is configured to supply a voltage to the refrigerant sensor and the microcontroller, wherein the refrigerant sensor is configured to utilize the voltage to collect the refrigerant concentration data and the additional refrigerant concentration data; and
a housing enclosing the refrigerant sensor, the microcontroller, and the power source, wherein the housing encloses the relay device, the TRIAC device, or both.