Apparatus and method for opening refrigerant sources while servicing a refrigeration system are provided by this disclosure. A system may include a fluid source, a device capable of coupling to the fluid source, and a fluid receiving system. The device may include a valve disposed in the body of the apparatus. A portion of the valve being engageable with a refrigerant supply composed of either a self-sealing valve or a penetrable seal.

A refrigeration system includes a main refrigeration circuit for holding refrigerant fluid, the main refrigeration circuit including: a compression device 12, a heat rejecting heat exchanger 14, an expansion device 18 and a heat absorbing heat exchanger 16. In addition, the refrigeration system includes a buffer tank 20 attached to the main refrigeration circuit, with valves 22, 24 for controlling flow of refrigerant fluid between the main refrigeration circuit and the buffer tank 20. The refrigeration system is arranged such that the valves 22, 24 are controlled to transfer refrigerant fluid between the main refrigeration circuit and the buffer tank 20 based on a measure of sub-cooling in the main refrigeration circuit.

An air conditioner and a fluid filling method for an air conditioner are provided. The method may include operating, by the air conditioner, in a fluid supply mode, to fill a group of pipes with a fluid, such as water, determining whether an amount of the fluid in the group of pipes is appropriate while continuously filling the group of pipes with the fluid, and outputting, by an output device, information indicating that filling of the fluid has been completed when it is determined that the amount of the fluid is appropriate. The fluid supply mode may include a first fluid supply mode in which fluid is supplied while the outdoor unit is stopped, and a second fluid supply mode in which the fluid is supplied while the outdoor unit is operated.

An HVAC system includes an evaporator coil and a compressor fluidly coupled to the evaporator coil. A condenser coil is fluidly coupled to the compressor. The condenser coil includes at least one condenser circuit fluidly coupled between a discharge line and an exit manifold. A sub-cool circuit is fluidly coupled between the exit manifold and a liquid line. A first temperature sensor is disposed at an entrance to the sub-cool circuit. A second temperature sensor is disposed at an exit to the sub-cool circuit. An HVAC controller is operatively coupled to the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor. The HVAC controller is configured to determine a temperature difference across the sub-cool circuit.

Methods and related systems for charging a refrigerant into a climate control system. In an embodiment, the method includes (a) coupling a storage tank to a refrigerant loop of the climate control system through a charging valve; (b) opening and closing the charging valve in a plurality of cycles; and (c) flowing refrigerant from the storage tank to the refrigerant loop through the charging valve when the charging valve is open, during (b). In addition, the method includes (d) determining a detected saturated temperature of the refrigerant within the refrigerant loop after each cycle of the plurality of cycles; and (e) adjusting an amount of time that the charging valve is open during each cycle of the plurality of cycles during (b) as a function of the detected saturated temperature from a previous cycle of the plurality of cycles.

A dehumidification system includes a compressor, a primary evaporator, a primary condenser, a secondary evaporator, a secondary condenser, a modulating valve, and an alternate condenser. The secondary evaporator receives an inlet airflow and outputs a first airflow to the primary evaporator. The primary evaporator receives the first airflow and outputs a second airflow to the secondary condenser. The secondary condenser receives the second airflow and outputs a third airflow to the primary condenser. The primary condenser receives the third airflow and outputs a dehumidified airflow. The compressor receives a flow of refrigerant from the primary evaporator and provides the flow of refrigerant to the modulating valve. The modulating valve directs the flow of refrigerant to the primary condenser and to the alternate condenser. The alternate condenser receives a portion of the flow of refrigerant for heat rejection, where the primary condenser receives the remaining portion of the flow of refrigerant.

Refrigerant charging systems and methods of use are described herein. A refrigerant charging system may include a conduit, a valve releasably connectable to the outlet portion and coupled to a first end of the conduit; and a disconnect coupler fitting connected to a second end of the conduit. The disconnect coupler fitting may include a control structure positioned in a hollow body that, during use, allows refrigerant flow to the refrigerant circuit. The control structure may include one or more openings that allow controlled leakage of fluid from the refrigerant charging assembly when the refrigerant charging assembly is disconnected from at least the refrigerant service unit.

A system for starting a refrigeration system includes a liquid line regulating valve, a liquid line charging valve, a suction line expansion valve, a suction line charging valve, and a controller. The controller is configured to override normal operation of the refrigeration system and transmit a demand signal to enable partial system operation. The controller is configured to operate the liquid line regulating valve and the liquid line charging valve to charge a receiver tank, gradually increase the demand signal to a predetermined level of partial system operation, and release the liquid line charging valve to normal operation. The controller is configured to operate the suction line expansion valve and the suction line charging valve to charge a suction line, gradually increase the demand signal to full system operation, and release the liquid line regulating valve, the suction line expansion valve, and the suction line charging valve to normal operation.

The present disclosure relates to a novel portable apparatus suitable for providing an optimized amount of refrigerant to a refrigeration system, and to methods of using the novel portable apparatus.

A recycle information management system includes a communication device and a management device. The communication device transmits recycle information acquired from a recycle system via a network. The recycle system includes at least a recycling device that removes at least oil from the collected refrigerant to recycle the refrigerant. The management device includes a storage unit that stores the recycle information in association with a recycle system ID usable to identify the recycle system.