The disclosure relates to apparatuses and methods for indicating status of multi-phase vacuum-assisted recovery of refrigerant from a vehicle. One apparatus for multi-phase vacuum-assisted recovery of refrigerant from a vehicle includes a compressor that removes refrigerant from the vehicle during a first phase and a second phase of a recovery process. The apparatus also includes a vacuum pump to assist the compressor in the removal of refrigerant from the vehicle during a second stage of the recovery process. Further, the vacuum pump is fluidly connected in series with the compressor during the second phase of the recovery process. The apparatus additionally includes one or more status lights and at least one processor to determine a status of the recovery process. At least one of the status lights is illuminated to represent a status of the recovery process, and at least one is visible from 360 degrees around the apparatus.

The present disclosure relates to apparatuses and methods for multi-phase vacuum-assisted recovery of refrigerant from a vehicle. One apparatus for multi-phase vacuum-assisted recovery of refrigerant from a vehicle includes a compressor that removes refrigerant from the vehicle during a first phase and a second phase of a recovery process. The apparatus also includes one or more pressure sensitive devices that are each configured to measure a first pressure and/or a second pressure in the apparatus. Upon the first pressure being less than a first threshold pressure, a vacuum pump that is fluidly connected in series with the compressor assists the compressor in the removal of refrigerant from the vehicle during a second stage of the recovery process. Also, upon the second pressure being less than a second threshold pressure, the vacuum pump ceases assisting the compressor.

An air conditioning service system includes an accumulator defining an accumulator chamber, a pressure transducer operably connected to the accumulator chamber, a drain valve operably connected to the accumulator chamber, and a controller operably connected to the pressure transducer and the drain valve. The controller includes a processor configured to execute program instructions stored in a memory to determine a volume of liquid drained from the accumulator by: determining a volumetric flow rate of liquid through the drain valve by controlling the drain valve with the controller to an open position for a predetermined period of time; detecting an increased rate of pressure reduction while the drain valve is open; and determining an amount of liquid drained through the drain valve based upon the volumetric flow rate and a total time elapsed between opening the drain valve and the increased rate of pressure reduction.

A variable refrigerant volume system and control method thereof. The variable refrigerant volume system comprises: a compressor (1); a four-way valve (19); an indoor unit; a liquid tube (22), the first end thereof being connected to the indoor unit, the second end thereof being connected to the third valve port of the four-way valve (19), and a condenser (18) being provided on the liquid tube (22); a low pressure air pipe (23), the first end thereof being connected to the indoor unit, and the second end thereof being connected to the fourth valve port of the four-way valve (19); a refrigerant adjustment tank (6), the first port thereof being connected to the liquid tube (22), the second port thereof being connected to the low pressure air pipe (23), and the third port thereof optionally communicating with the liquid tube (22) or the low pressure air pipe (23). The refrigerant adjustment tank (6) provides refrigerant to the variable refrigerant volume system when the system requires more refrigerant, and recycles refrigerant from the variable refrigerant volume system when the system requires less refrigerant. The variable refrigerant volume system can flexibly control a refrigerant recycling amount in accordance with a refrigerant operation situation, thus ensuring system reliability.

Methods, systems and apparatuses are described that are directed to on-site recovery and/or repurposing of refrigerant, where an original refrigerant is converted into a refrigerant different from the original refrigerant. The refrigerant different from the original refrigerant can have relatively lower global warming potential (GWP) than the original refrigerant. The recovery and/or repurposing can be implemented for example in a refrigeration circuit, such as for example in general cooling and/or heating applications, which may be embodied in a heating, venting, and air conditioning (HVAC) system and/or unit, in a transport refrigeration system and/or unit, as well as in commercial, residential and/or industrial cooling and/or heating applications.

A refrigerant recovery system includes a first oil separator including a chamber configured to receive refrigerant from an air conditioning system, a heat exchanger disposed within the first oil separator, and a compressor fluidly connected to the chamber and the heat exchanger. A first valve is disposed in a first flow line that is fluidly connected between an inlet of the first oil separator and a source of refrigerant and a second valve is disposed in a second flow line that fluidly connects the compressor and the heat exchanger. A controller is configured to open the first valve to enable refrigerant to pass into the chamber of the first oil separator, open the second valve so that a flow loop for refrigerant is formed between the heat exchanger and the compressor, activate the compressor to heat the refrigerant flowing through the flow loop, and subsequently commence a refrigerant recovery operation.

A refrigerant metering system/method incorporating a manual expansion valve (MEV), condenser isolation valve (CIV), flow isolation valve (FIV), and evaporator isolation valve (EIV) is disclosed. The MEV is configured to replace a conventional automated expansion valve (AEV) that controls a refrigerant flow valve (RFV) that is positioned in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system between a refrigerant condenser coil (RCC) and a refrigerant evaporator coil (REC) and permits manual metering of refrigerant by the RFV from the RCC to the REC and also allows complete shutoff of refrigerant flow by the RFV from the RCC to the REC. The MEV allows rapid HVAC repair and restoration of service where a replacement AEV is not readily available. The CIV/FIV/EIV are positioned in the refrigerant flow lines to permit the AEV and/or REC to be isolated from HVAC refrigerant flow for repairs to the AEV and/or REC.

A system for the recovery of expanded refrigerant from a cryotreatment system for storage and disposal may generally include first fluid flow path having a first compressor and a fluid recovery reservoir, and a closed-loop second fluid flow path having a thermal exchange device that is in thermal communication with the fluid recovery reservoir, a second compressor, and a condenser. The first fluid flow path may include a primary refrigerant from a cryotreatment system and the closed-loop second fluid flow path may contain a secondary refrigerant for cooling the primary refrigerant within the fluid recovery reservoir. The refrigerant recovery conduit may be in fluid communication with both the cryotreatment system and a medical facility scavenging system. The refrigerant recovery conduit and the cryotreatment system may be located within the same cryotreatment console.

A chiller system is provided and includes a chiller, a lubrication assembly and a controller. The chiller includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion assembly and an evaporator in fluid communication with one another. The lubrication assembly is operably coupled to the compressor, the condenser and the evaporator and is formed to define first-third pathways via a three-way valve and a fourth pathway. The first pathway is configured for pumping refrigerant through the chiller, the second pathway is configured for pre-storing refrigerant in the chiller, the third pathway is configured for removing refrigerant from the chiller and the fourth pathway is configured for charging refrigerant into the chiller. The controller is configured to control the lubrication assembly to selectively engage one of the first-fourth pathways.

A method and corresponding system for extracting an unsuitable and/or unknown and/or contaminated coolant gas from an air conditioning system. An existing coolant fluid recovery/charging machine is used in order to extract the heat required to cool said containment element of the coolant to be extracted or extracted.