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Cooling system repair kitRelated Patent Categories: Refrigeration, With Repair, Assembly Or Disassembly MeansCooling system repair kit description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070044499, Cooling system repair kit. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND [0001] The embodiments described herein relate to heating and cooling systems. In particular, the embodiments described herein relate to methods and systems relating to the repair of air conditioners, heat pumps and other heating and cooling systems. [0002] Residential and commercial air conditioning systems control the temperature, humidity and total air quality in countless buildings around the world. These systems, which include air conditioners, heat pumps and other heating, ventilation and air conditioning ("HVAC") systems require a significant amount of maintenance. Because they often operate under extreme conditions, HVAC failures are common. In addition, to prevent or minimize such failures, routine or preventive maintenance is required on most commercial and residential HVAC systems. Accordingly, the HVAC maintenance and repair business is significant. U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that in 2002, HVAC mechanics and installers held about 249,000 jobs in the United States alone, and about half of those worked for HVAC system contractors. [0003] When a contractor visits a job site, the contractor must first perform an assessment of potential problems with the HVAC system. Common HVAC system problems include a burned out compressor, a system with leaves or other materials clogging the condenser and/or a system leak. Often, when a technician arrives at a job site, the technician will diagnose the problem, travel to a supply shop to obtain required parts and then return to the job site to fix the problem with the acquired parts. Occasionally, the contractor may have at least some of the parts available in his or her vehicle, but it is impractical for a contractor to keep all required parts for every possible system on the vehicle, let alone store them in a manner such that they may be easily located on the vehicle. In addition, after fixing the repair, most contractors simply finish the tasks required to remove the failure, without performing additional preventive maintenance that could prevent the same failure or different failures from happening in the near future. [0004] Accordingly, an improved method and system that will improve contractor response time and help prevent future maintenance problems is desired. The embodiments described herein are directed to solving one or more of the problems described above. [0005] The disclosure contained herein describes attempts to address one or more of the problems described above. SUMMARY [0006] In accordance with one embodiment, a cooling system repair kit includes a capacitor selected based on a size or rating of a compressor, a compressor contactor selected based on a size or rating of the compressor, a filter dryer, and a fan capacitor. The capacitor, filter dryer, contactor and capacitor may be provided in a single package. The kit may also include one or more of the following: an instruction booklet, one or more lengths of tubing, one or more elbows, one or more tube couplings, a wiring harness, and an acid test kit. Optionally, the single package may contained within a compressor packaging unit, and the compressor packaging unit may contain at least one length of tubing. [0007] In accordance with an alternate embodiment, a cooling system repair kit includes a capacitor selected based on a size or rating of a compressor, a compressor contactor selected based on a size or rating of the compressor, and a filter dryer wherein the capacitor, filter dryer, and contactor are provided in a single, sealed package. [0008] In accordance with an alternate embodiment, a method of supplying replacement parts for a cooling system may include supplying, in a single package, in a single, sealed container, a capacitor selected based on a size or rating of a compressor, a compressor contactor selected based on a size or rating of the compressor, a filter dryer; and a fan capacitor. The method may also include supplying an instruction booklet, compressor capacitor, or wiring harness in the container. Optionally, the container may be supplied within a compressor container, wherein the compressor container also contains the compressor. [0009] In an alternate embodiment, an instructional kit for cooling system maintenance includes a compressor capacitor selected based on a size or rating of a compressor, a compressor contactor selected based on a size or rating of the compressor, and at least one additional cooling system equipment item that is recommended, but not required, when the compressor is serviced. The capacitor, contactor, and additional item are provided in a single, sealed package. The additional cooling system item may include, for example, any or all of the following: a fan capacitor, a wiring harness, an acid test kit, a filter dryer, a tubing elbow, a tubing connector, or a length of tubing. The kit may also include an instructional document. Optionally, the package may be contained within a compressor container that also contains the compressor BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing various component parts of a typical cooling system unit. [0011] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing exemplary component parts of a cooling system repair kit. [0012] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary cooling system repair kit, as arranged in exemplary packaging. [0013] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a cooling system repair kit with compressor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0014] Before the present methods, systems and materials are described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular methodologies, systems and materials described, as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope. [0015] It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Although any methods, materials, and devices similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, the preferred methods, materials, and devices are now described. All publications mentioned herein are incorporated by reference. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the invention is not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention. [0016] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary air conditioning unit 10. As used herein, the term "cooling system," as well as the terms "heating," "air conditioning," "ventilation" and "HVAC" in the context of a device or system, refers to any air heating, cooling and/or conditioning device or system that includes a compressor. The function of a compressor is to move liquid refrigerant material through the unit or elsewhere in one or more pipes, tubes, conduits or other channels. For example, the compressor may pump or force the liquid through a condenser such that the refrigerant is condensed from a vapor to a liquid state. Referring to FIG. 1, the exemplary air conditioning unit 10 includes a compressor 12 and a condenser 14. The compressor may be of any type, such as a scroll compressor or reciprocating compressor, operating on any appropriate power source, such as a single-phase power source or a three-phase power source. Tubing 26 carries refrigerant from the compressor 12 to condenser 14 and then through an evaporator 34 that may include or be provided with a fan 38 and motor 39. Outside air 40 may be either forced into the condenser 14 or drawn from condenser 14 by a fan 16 and motor 18. [0017] The compressor may be connected to a power source 24 via an electrical contactor 22 that is selected based on the size of the compressor and type of power source (i.e., single-phase vs. three-phase). A compressor capacitor 20 may be used to provide a voltage boost on start up so that the compressor is not overly stressed during start up. Similarly, fan motor 18 may be connected to power source 24, with one or more fan capacitors 30 serving to provide a voltage boost to the start winding of the fan motor 18. The illustration in FIG. 1 shows only one embodiment of an air conditioning unit, and one skilled in the art will recognize that different configurations may be available. [0018] As the air conditioning unit operates, significant moisture can develop in the system as a result of warm, moist air being cooled by the evaporator 34. Such moisture may be captured by an evaporation tray and automatically or manually removed from the system. Contaminants, including moisture, may build up inside of the refrigerant system 26. Such build-up can reduce the effectiveness of the refrigerant and/or corrode the compressor, condenser and/or tubing. Accordingly, a filter dryer 32 may be installed at some point along the refrigerant liquid line 26 in order to capture moisture from the system. Such dryers are commercially available and are generally rated for use with various refrigerants. They may contain a filter, such as a molecular sieve and activated alumna filter, that extracts contaminants from the refrigerant. [0019] FIG. 2 illustrates exemplary components of a cooling system repair kit. Referring to FIG. 2, a compressor 112 may be included in the kit, or it may be separate from the kit. The kit contains at least some parts that are sized and/or otherwise selected based on the size, type and/or rating of the compressor. The size of the compressor may be based on a rating of the air conditioning unit, such as a tonnage, British Thermal Unit ("BTU") rating or other rating. Exemplary size ratings may range, for example, from approximately 18,000 BTU/hour to approximately 61,000 BTU/hour. Other sizes and ratings are possible. The compressor may be a scroll-type compressor, rotary screw compressor, reciprocating (piston) compressor or any other type of compressor known to one skilled in the art at the present or in the future. In general, when a technician discovers that an air conditioning compressor must be replaced, the technician will select a compressor of size and type that is similar to that which previously failed. However, the present embodiments described herein are not limited to such conditions. [0020] Additional components that may be included in a service kit may include a compressor capacitor 120 sized to operate with the compressor 112. The capacitor 120 may have a size that is selected to correspond to the compressor manufacturer's recommendation, or due to other design features known to those skilled in the art. Capacitor 120 is optional. For example a three-phase compressor may not require a compressor capacitor. Similarly, a compressor contactor 122 may be selected based on the voltage and/or current rating of compressor 112. The contactor 122 selected for the kit may also vary based on whether the compressor 112 is a single-phase compressor or a three-phase compressor. For example, most compressors may operate with a 30 amp rated contactor. However, some larger compressors in home air conditioning systems may require a 40 amp contactor. Commercial systems may require contactors that are even larger. In addition, the contactor may vary depending on the power system, such as a single-cavity or dual-cavity contactor for a single-phase power system and a three-cavity contactor for a three-phase system. Continue reading about Cooling system repair kit... Full patent description for Cooling system repair kit Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Cooling system repair kit patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Cooling system repair kit or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Refrigerator Next Patent Application: Heat pump system Industry Class: Refrigeration ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Cooling system repair kit patent info. 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