Compressor with control and protection system

• US 20020018724A1
• Filed: 10/15/2001
• Published: 02/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/29/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Rajendran, Natarajan, McCroskey, William W., Millet, Hank E.
• Application Number:
  US09/977,552
• Publication Number:
  US 20020018724A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 417/228
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 18/0215 where only one member is moving
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2240/603 with internal channels for fluid distribution, e.g. hollow shaft
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/02 Power
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/12 Vibration
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/18 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/19 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/86 Detection
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/90 Remote control, e.g. wireless, via LAN, by radio, or by a wired connection from a central computer
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 23/001 of similar working principle
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 23/008 Hermetic pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 28/26 using bypass channels
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 28/28 Safety arrangements; Monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 29/0014 with control systems for the injection of the fluid
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 29/02 Lubrication of machines or engines in general F01M; Lubricant separation separation in general B01D
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 29/04 Heating; Cooling of machines or engines in general F01P; Heat insulation heat insulation in general F16L59/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/37435 Vibration of machine
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2223/06 Remote monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0235 based on a comparison with predetermined threshold or range, e.g. "classical methods", carried out during normal operation; threshold adaptation or choice; when or how to compare with the threshold
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0286 Modifications to the monitored process, e.g. stopping operation or adapting control
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0291 Switching into safety or degraded mode, e.g. protection and supervision after failure
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 9/02 : electric

Abstract

A compressor protection and control subsystem for a rotary compressor provides temperature pressure, mis-wiring and vibrational protection for the scroll machine. The vibrational protection comprises a vibration sensor which is integrated on the circuit board of the protection and control subsystem. The vibration sensor, in conjunction with at least one timer, monitors the vibrations of the scroll machine and will shut down the machine when excess vibrations are sensed over a prespecified period of time. The temperature system monitors operating temperature conditions the pressure system monitors operating pressures and the mis-wiring system monitors the power supplied to the compressor. Once an undesirable characteristic is identified, the operation of the scroll machine is stopped. These protection systems are integrated into a single subsystem which identifies the reason of shutting off the scroll machine in order to simplify repairs needed. The subsystem incorporates a gateway and/or a serial peripheral interface in order to communicate with a central operating and control system.

Claims

1. A compressor assembly comprising:

a compressor;

at least one temperature sensor associated with said compressor;

at least one pressure sensor associated with said compressor; and

a control block in communication with said at least one temperature sensor and said at least one pressure sensor, said control block being operable to monitor operational characteristics of said compressor.

2. The compressor assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an oil level sensor in communication with said control block.

3. The compressor assembly according to claim 2, wherein said compressor includes a shell, said oil level sensor being disposed within said shell.

4. The compressor assembly according to claim 2, further comprising a crankcase heater associated with said compressor, said crankcase heater being in communication with said control block.

5. The compressor assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a solenoid control system in communication with said control block.

6. The compressor assembly according to claim 5, wherein said compressor includes a capacity control system, said capacity control system being in communication with said solenoid control system.

7. The compressor assembly according to claim 5, wherein said compressor includes a liquid injection system, said liquid injection system being in communication with said solenoid control system.

8. The compressor assembly according to claim 5, wherein said compressor includes an oil injection system, said oil injection system being in communication with said solenoid control system.

9. A compressor protection and control system comprising:

a plurality of compressors;

a control block associated with each of said plurality of compressors;

at least one temperature sensor associated with each of said plurality of compressors, each of said at least one temperature sensor being in communication with a respective control block;

at least one pressure sensor associated with each of said plurality of compressors, each of said at least one pressure sensor being in communication with a respective control block; and

a central control in communication with each of said control blocks.

10. The compressor protection and control system according to claim 9, further comprising an oil level sensor associated with each of said plurality of compressors, each of said oil level sensor being in communication with a respective control block.

11. The compressor protection and control system according to claim 10, wherein each of said plurality of compressors includes a shell, each of said oil level sensors being disposed within a respective shell.

12. The compressor protection and control system according to claim 9, further comprising a crankcase heater associated with each of said plurality of compressors, each of said oil level sensors being in communication with a respective control block.

13. The compressor protection and control system according to claim 9, further comprising a solenoid control system associated with at least one of said plurality of compressors, said solenoid control system being in communication with a respective control block.

14. The compressor protection and control system according to claim 13, wherein said solenoid control system includes a capacity control system, said capacity control system being in communication with said solenoid control system.

15. The compressor protection and control system according to claim 13, wherein said solenoid control system includes a liquid injection system, said liquid injection system being in communication with said solenoid control system.

16. The compressor protection and control system according to claim 13, wherein said solenoid control system includes an oil injection system, said oil injection system being in communication with said solenoid control system.