Compressor vibration protection system

• US 20040184928A1
• Filed: 01/30/2004
• Published: 09/23/2004
• 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: McCroskey, William W., Rajendran, Natarajan, Millet, Hank E.
• Application Number:
  US10/769,707
• Publication Number:
  US 20040184928A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 417/278
• 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 assembly includes a compressor, a controller, a gateway and a system controller. The controller includes a vibration sensor and monitors operational characteristics of the compressor. The gateway is in communication with the controller, the system controller is in communication with the controller through the gateway.

Claims

1. A compressor comprising:

a housing;

a fluid compression mechanism disposed on said housing; and

a controller mounted on said housing and including a vibration sensor, said controller operable to control compressor capacity and monitor operational characteristics of said compressor.

2. The compressor of claim 1, wherein said controller includes a circuit board and said vibration sensor is disposed on said circuit board.

3. The compressor of claim 1, wherein said vibration sensor includes an electrical switch.

4. The compressor of claim 3, wherein said electrical switch is operable upon minimum displacement.

5. The compressor of claim 3, wherein said vibration sensor includes an RC filter.

6. The compressor of claim 1, wherein said controller creates an event history.

7. The compressor of claim 1, wherein said controller includes a microprocessor.

8. The compressor of claim 1, wherein said controller includes a first counter operable to continuously count vibration pulses during a predetermined period of time, a second counter operable to count between a lower time limit and an upper time limit, and a limit condition flag operable between an on condition and an off condition, said limit condition flag trigger at said on condition when the number of pulses during said predefined time period exceeds a pulse limit, said limit condition flag at said off condition when said pulses counted during said predetermined period of time is less than said pulse limit, wherein said second counter counts toward said upper limit when said condition limit flag is at said on condition and counts toward said lower limit when said limit condition flag is at said off condition, wherein a vibration trip condition is reached when said second counter counts to said upper limit.

9. The compressor of claim 1, wherein said vibration sensor includes a ball and spring wire mounted in a bore.

10. The compressor of claim 9, wherein a sensitivity of said vibration sensor is defined by a stiffness of said spring and a mass of said ball.

11. The compressor of claim 8, wherein said stiffness of said spring is a function of a diameter, length and material of said spring.

12. The compressor of claim 10, wherein said mass of said ball is a function of its material and diameter.

13. A cooling system including:

a compressor;

a controller mounted on said compressor and including a vibration sensor, said controller operable to control a capacity of said compressor and monitor operational characteristics of said compressor; and

a communication gateway associated with said controller.

14. The cooling system of claim 13, further comprising a system controller in communication with said controller through said communication gateway.

15. The cooling system of claim 13, wherein said controller includes said communication gateway.

16. The cooling system of claim 13, wherein said controller includes a circuit board and said vibration sensor is disposed on said circuit board.

17. The cooling system of claim 13, wherein said vibration sensor includes an electrical switch.

18. The cooling system of claim 17, wherein said electrical switch is operable upon minimum displacement.

19. The cooling system of claim 17, wherein said vibration sensor includes an RC filter.

20. The cooling system of claim 13, wherein said controller creates an event history.

21. The cooling system of claim 13, wherein said controller includes a microprocessor.

22. The cooling system of claim 13, wherein said controller includes a first counter operable to continuously count vibration pulses during a predetermined period of time, a second counter operable to count between a lower time limit and an upper time limit, and a limit condition flag operable between an on condition and an off condition, said limit condition flag trigger at said on condition when the number of pulses during said predefined time period exceeds a pulse limit, said limit condition flag at said off condition when said pulses counted during said predetermined period of time is less than said pulse limit, wherein said second counter counts toward said upper limit when said condition limit flag is at said on condition and counts toward said lower limit when said limit condition flag is at said off condition, wherein a vibration trip condition is reached when said second counter counts to said upper limit.

23. The cooling system of claim 13, wherein said vibration sensor includes a ball and spring wire mounted in a bore.

24. The cooling system of claim 23, wherein a sensitivity of said vibration sensor is defined by a stiffness of said spring and a mass of said ball.

25. The cooling system of claim 22, wherein said stiffness of said spring is a function of a diameter, length and material of said spring.

26. The cooling system of claim 24, wherein said mass of said ball is a function of its material and diameter.