Parallel compressors climate system
First Claim
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1. A climate system for cooling a compartment of a vehicle, comprising:
- a plurality of compressors for compressing a refrigerant into a compressed refrigerant, the plurality of compressors including a first compressor and a second compressor, whereinthe first compressor includes a first refrigerant inlet, a first refrigerant outlet, and a first oil sump;
the second compressor includes a second refrigerant inlet, a second refrigerant outlet, and a second oil sump;
the first refrigerant inlet of the first compressor is fluidly connected to the second refrigerant inlet of the second compressor;
the first refrigerant outlet of the first compressor is fluidly connected to the second refrigerant outlet of the second compressor;
the first oil sump is independent of the second oil sump; and
a condenser disposed downstream of the plurality of compressors for condensing the compressed refrigerant;
an evaporator disposed downstream of the condenser for evaporating the condensed refrigerant, wherein the evaporator is thermally coupled to the compartment of the vehicle to cool the compartment;
refrigerant lines fluidly connecting the plurality of compressors, the condenser, and the evaporator to form a refrigerant circuit for circulating the refrigerant; and
a controller communicatively coupled to the first and second compressors and configured to draw back compressor oil to the first and second compressors by selectively adjusting operating speed of at least one of the first and second compressor.
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Abstract
Disclosed are climate systems and methods for control the climate systems. A climate system includes a plurality of compressors arranged in parallel, a condenser disposed downstream of the compressors and an evaporator disposed downstream of the condenser. The compressors, the condenser, and the evaporator are fluidly connected by refrigerant lines to form a refrigerant circuit. The climate system also includes a controller that controls the operation of the compressors to draw back lubricant to the compressors without use of an oil equalization system.
220 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A climate system for cooling a compartment of a vehicle, comprising:
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a plurality of compressors for compressing a refrigerant into a compressed refrigerant, the plurality of compressors including a first compressor and a second compressor, wherein the first compressor includes a first refrigerant inlet, a first refrigerant outlet, and a first oil sump; the second compressor includes a second refrigerant inlet, a second refrigerant outlet, and a second oil sump; the first refrigerant inlet of the first compressor is fluidly connected to the second refrigerant inlet of the second compressor; the first refrigerant outlet of the first compressor is fluidly connected to the second refrigerant outlet of the second compressor; the first oil sump is independent of the second oil sump; and a condenser disposed downstream of the plurality of compressors for condensing the compressed refrigerant; an evaporator disposed downstream of the condenser for evaporating the condensed refrigerant, wherein the evaporator is thermally coupled to the compartment of the vehicle to cool the compartment; refrigerant lines fluidly connecting the plurality of compressors, the condenser, and the evaporator to form a refrigerant circuit for circulating the refrigerant; and a controller communicatively coupled to the first and second compressors and configured to draw back compressor oil to the first and second compressors by selectively adjusting operating speed of at least one of the first and second compressor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of operating a climate control system to cool a compartment of a vehicle, comprising:
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operating a first compressor of the climate control system at a first speed to cool the compartment, the first compressor having a first oil sump; operating a second compressor of the climate control system at a second speed to cool the compartment, wherein the second compressor is distinct from the first compressor and has a second oil sump that is independent of the first oil sump; determining, at a controller communicatively coupled to the first compressor and the second compressor, whether to draw back compressor oil to the first compressor; and in accordance with a determination to draw back the compressor oil to the first compressor, operating the first compressor at a third speed, lower than the first speed, for a first period of time. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification