System and method for controlling a variable-capacity compressor
First Claim
1. A climate-control system including a variable-capacity compressor unit and a control module controlling the compressor unit, the compressor unit operable in a first capacity mode and in a second capacity mode that is higher than the first capacity mode, the control module configured to switch the compressor unit among a shutdown state, the first capacity mode and the second capacity mode,wherein the control module switches the compressor unit between the first and second capacity modes based on a comparison of a total runtime of the compressor unit with a predetermined low-capacity runtime,wherein the total runtime of the compressor unit is a period of time over which the compressor unit has been running since most recently being in a shutdown state,wherein the control module adjusts the predetermined low-capacity runtime based on a number of times within a predetermined time period that the compressor unit has been switched into the shutdown state due to a demand signal switching from on to off.
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Abstract
A climate-control system is provided that includes a variable-capacity compressor unit and a control module controlling the compressor unit. The compressor unit is operable in a first capacity mode and in a second capacity mode that is higher than the first capacity mode. The control module may be configured to switch the compressor unit among a shutdown state, the first capacity mode and the second capacity mode based on a demand signal and a number of times that the compressor unit has been switched into the shutdown state within a predetermined time period.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A climate-control system including a variable-capacity compressor unit and a control module controlling the compressor unit, the compressor unit operable in a first capacity mode and in a second capacity mode that is higher than the first capacity mode, the control module configured to switch the compressor unit among a shutdown state, the first capacity mode and the second capacity mode,
wherein the control module switches the compressor unit between the first and second capacity modes based on a comparison of a total runtime of the compressor unit with a predetermined low-capacity runtime, wherein the total runtime of the compressor unit is a period of time over which the compressor unit has been running since most recently being in a shutdown state, wherein the control module adjusts the predetermined low-capacity runtime based on a number of times within a predetermined time period that the compressor unit has been switched into the shutdown state due to a demand signal switching from on to off.
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8. A working-fluid circuit comprising:
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an indoor heat exchanger; an outdoor heat exchanger in fluid communication with the indoor heat exchanger; an expansion device between the indoor and outdoor heat exchangers; a variable-capacity compressor circulating working fluid between the indoor and outdoor heat exchangers; and a control module controlling the compressor and operating the compressor in one of a first capacity mode and a second capacity mode, wherein the control module switches the compressor unit between the first and second capacity modes based on a comparison of a total runtime of the compressor unit with a predetermined low-capacity runtime, wherein the total runtime of the compressor unit is a period of time over which the compressor unit has been running since most recently being in a shutdown state, wherein the control module adjusts the predetermined low-capacity runtime based on a number of times within a predetermined time period that the compressor unit has been switched into the shutdown state due to a demand signal switching from on to off. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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Specification