Compressor communication and control system

• US 20040184929A1
• 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: Rajendran, Natarajan, Millet, Hank E., McCroskey, William W.
• Application Number:
  US10/769,703
• Publication Number:
  US 20040184929A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 417/286
• 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 cooling system includes a compressor rack having a plurality of compressors and a controller associated with each compressor. Each controller is associated with a communication gateway and monitors operational characteristics of its respective compressor and communicates with an internet web server through the gateway.

Claims

1. A cooling system comprising:

a compressor rack including a plurality of compressors; and

a controller associated with each said compressor, each controller associated with a communication gateway and operable to monitor operational characteristics of a respective compressor and to communicate with an internet web server through said gateway.

2. The cooling system of claim 1, further comprising a local server in communication with said controller through said gateway.

3. The cooling system of claim 1, further comprising a system master in communication with each said controller.

4. The cooling system of claim 3, wherein said controller stores compressor configuration information and said system master is operable to modify said stored compressor configuration information.

5. The cooling system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor in communication with said compressor, said sensor providing a signal to said controller indicative of an operating characteristic of said compressor, said system master receiving said signal from said controller.

6. The cooling system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of sensors in communication with said compressor, each of said plurality of sensors providing a signal to said controller indicative of an operating characteristic of said compressor.

7. The cooling system of claim 6, wherein said controller creates an event history from said signals of said sensors.

8. The cooling system of claim 7, wherein said event history is provided to said internet web server from said controller.

9. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein said controller includes a microprocessor.

10. The cooling system of claim 9, wherein said microprocessor functions as a gateway for communicating with a system master.

11. The cooling system of claim 10, wherein said microprocessor controls communication between said controller and said system master.

12. The cooling system of claim 11, wherein said system master selectively controls said controller.

13. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein said controller includes a memory operable to store compressor configuration information.

14. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein said communication gateway is located at said compressor.

15. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein said communication gateway is located at said compressor rack.

16. The cooling system of claim 15, wherein said communication gateway is a system controller.

17. The cooling system of claim 1, further comprising a status display at said compressor for indicating the status of the compressor.