Method and apparatus to sense and control compressor operation in an HVAC system

• US 20060196202A1
• Filed: 01/06/2006
• Published: 09/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbH (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: York International Corporation (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Tucker, Jeffrey Lee, Harrod, Gregory Ralph
• Granted Patent: US 7,562,536 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/228.1
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/02 Compressor control
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 49/022 Compressor control arrangements

Abstract

An HVAC system and method for configuring a controller to control a compressor including a detection system provided to determine a type of compressor. The detection system includes a processor; and a load sensing circuit connected between the processor and a controller. The controller has a plurality of output connections connectable to a compressor. The load sensing circuit senses whether a load is present on each output connection of the plurality of output connections and provides a load signal to the processor indicating whether a load is present on each output connection. The load signals are processed with the processor to determine the type of compressor is present. The controller is configured to control the compressor in response to the determined type of compressor.

Claims

1. A method for configuring a controller to control a compressor comprising:

providing a controller having a plurality of output connections connectable to a compressor;

providing a detection system to determine a type of compressor connected to the controller, the detection system comprising;

a processor; and

a load sensing circuit connected between the processor and the plurality of output connections of the controller;

sensing with the load sensing circuit whether a load is present on each output connection of the plurality of output connections;

providing a load signal to the processor indicating whether a load is present on each output connection;

processing the load signals with the processor to determine the type of compressor connected to the controller; and

configuring the controller to control the compressor in response to the determined type of compressor.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of processing the load signals includes determining the type of compressor in response to sensing a predetermined combination of loads and no loads connected to the plurality of output connections of the controller.

3. Method of claim 2 wherein plurality of output connections comprises first output connection, second output connection and third output connection.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the compressor is selected from the group consisting of a single stage compressor, a two-stage scroll compressor, and a two-stage reciprocating compressor.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of processing the sensed load signals includes determining that the compressor is a single stage compressor in response to sensing a load connected to the first output connection and no load connection to second output connection and third output connection.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of processing the sensed load signals includes determining that the compressor is a two-stage reciprocating compressor in response to sensing loads connected to the second output connection and the third output connection.

7. Method of claim 4 wherein the step of processing the sensed load signals includes determining that the compressor is a two-stage scroll compressor in response to sensing loads connected to first output connection and the third output connection and no load connection to the second output connection.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of processing the sensed load signals further includes determining a wiring fault in response to sensed loads and no loads connected to the plurality of output connection failing to indicate a compressor type.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of sensing with the load sensing circuit includes measuring a voltage across a voltage source and resistor arranged and disposed to determine whether a signal is present between the controller and the compressor.

10. An HVAC system comprising:

an evaporator, a condenser, and a compressor connected in a closed loop refrigerant system; and

a control system to control the closed loop refrigerant system comprising;

a controller having a plurality of output connections capable of being electrically connected to a compressor, the compressor being electrically connected to the controller by at least one output connection;

a load sensing circuit and a processor electrically connected to at least two of the plurality of output connections of the controller, the load sensing circuit being configured to generate a load signal for the processor for each of the at least two output connections connected to the load sensing circuit in response to a load being present on the at least two output connections connected to the load sensing circuit;

the processor being configured to determine a type of compressor based on load signals from the load sensing circuit; and

the processor providing instructions to configure the controller to operate with the determined compressor type in response to the type of compressor determined by the processor.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the compressor is selected from the group consisting of a single stage compressor, a two-stage scroll compressor, and a two-stage reciprocating compressor.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least two output connections comprise a first output, a second output, and a third output.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the first output is configured to provide signals to control a single stage compressor.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the first and third outputs are configured to provide signals to control a two-stage scroll compressor.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the first and second outputs are configured to provide signals to control a two-stage reciprocating compressor.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the load sensing circuit includes a voltage source and resistor, and the generated signals includes a voltage measurement.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein the processor and controller and disposed on a single circuit board.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein the processor and controller are integrated into a single component.