Refrigerant cycle with operating range extension
First Claim
1. A compressor comprising:
- a compressor pump unit, said compressor pump unit driven by a motor;
a protection device associated with said motor, said protection device operable to stop operation of said motor should a first system condition reach a predetermined level; and
a control for said compressor, said control monitoring a second system condition, and identifying when said second system condition indicates said first system condition is approaching said predetermined level, said control being operable to reduce a load on said compressor as said first system condition approaches said predetermined level.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A refrigerant cycle is provided with a control that monitors system conditions such as current, voltage or temperature at a compressor motor or refrigerant state conditions at compressor ports. A protection switch on the motor is operable to stop operation of the compressor should a system condition exceed a predetermined maximum. The control monitors a system condition, and determines that the system condition indicates the protection switch may be actuated as the condition is moving toward the predetermined limit. Under such conditions, the control moves the compressor to a less loaded mode of operation such that it is less likely that the protection switch will actuate.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A compressor comprising:
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a compressor pump unit, said compressor pump unit driven by a motor;
a protection device associated with said motor, said protection device operable to stop operation of said motor should a first system condition reach a predetermined level; and
a control for said compressor, said control monitoring a second system condition, and identifying when said second system condition indicates said first system condition is approaching said predetermined level, said control being operable to reduce a load on said compressor as said first system condition approaches said predetermined level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 19, 20)
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7. A refrigerant cycle comprising:
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a compressor having a compressor pump unit and a motor for driving said compressor pump unit, said motor being provided with a protection device operable to stop operation of said motor should a first system condition exceed a predetermined level;
a condenser downstream of said compressor;
an expansion device downstream of said condenser;
an evaporator downstream of said expansion device; and
a control for controlling at least said compressor, said control being operable to sense a second system condition and move said refrigerant cycle to a less loaded operation should said monitored second system condition indicate said first system condition may be approaching said predetermined level. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18)
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14. A method of operating a refrigerant cycle comprising the steps of:
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(1) monitoring a first system condition on a compressor, and providing a motor for said compressor with a shut-off switch, said shut-off switch being operable to stop operation of said compressor motor should said first system condition exceed a predetermined maximum;
(2) monitoring a second system condition and determining when said second system condition indicates said first system condition is approaching said predetermined maximum, and moving said refrigerant cycle to a lower capacity mode of operation. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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Specification