Condensing Unit Having Fluid Injection

• US 20100205988A1
• Filed: 02/12/2010
• Published: 08/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Copeland Corporation LLC (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Wang, Ying, Jiang, Chao
• Granted Patent: US 8,539,785 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/225
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 1/10 with multi-stage compression with cascade operation F25B7/00
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2400/13 Economisers
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/21 Refrigerant outlet evaporator temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/2509 Economiser valves
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/2513 Expansion valves
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2700/21 Temperatures
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2700/2106 of fresh outdoor air
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2700/21152 at the discharge side of the compressor
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 41/35 by rotary motors, e.g. by stepping motors
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 49/027 Condenser control arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/70 Efficient control or regulation technologies, e.g. for control of refrigerant flow, motor or heating

Abstract

A climate control system is provided and may include a compressor, a first heat exchanger in fluid communication with the compressor, a second heat exchanger in fluid communication with the compressor and the first heat exchanger, and a third heat exchanger disposed between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. A conduit may be fluidly coupled to the third heat exchanger and the compressor and may selectively supply fluid to the compressor. A valve may control a volume of fluid supplied to the compressor via the conduit and a controller may control the valve based on a discharge temperature of the compressor and a super heat temperature of the third heat exchanger.

Claims

1-65. -65. (canceled)

66. A condensing unit comprising:

a base;

a compressor supported by said base;

a first heat exchanger supported by said base and in fluid communication with said compressor;

a second heat exchanger supported by said base and in fluid communication with said first heat exchanger and said compressor;

a conduit fluidly coupled to said second heat exchanger and said compressor and operable to selectively supply fluid to said compressor;

a valve operable to control a volume of fluid supplied to said compressor via said conduit; and

a controller operable to control said valve based on a discharge temperature of said compressor and a super heat temperature of said second heat exchanger.

67. The condensing unit of claim 66, wherein said valve opens and closes in steps to control said fluid into said conduit.

68. The condensing unit of claim 66, wherein said second heat exchanger includes a first inlet, a first outlet, a second inlet, and a second outlet.

69. The condensing unit of claim 68, further comprising a first temperature sensor disposed between said first outlet and said second inlet.

70. The condensing unit of claim 69, further comprising a second temperature sensor disposed proximate to said second outlet of said second heat exchanger.

71. The condensing unit of claim 70, wherein said super heat temperature is based on information received from said first temperature sensor and said second temperature sensor.

72. The condensing unit of claim 70, wherein said second temperature sensor is disposed between said second outlet of said second heat exchanger and said compressor.

73. The condensing unit of claim 68, wherein said valve is disposed between said first outlet and said first temperature sensor.

74. The condensing unit of claim 66, further comprising a first temperature sensor disposed between said valve and said second heat exchanger.

75. The condensing unit of claim 74, further comprising a second temperature sensor disposed between said second heat exchanger and said compressor.

76. The condensing unit of claim 66, wherein said second heat exchanger is a plate-heat exchanger.

77. The condensing unit of claim 66, further comprising a discharge temperature sensor disposed proximate to an outlet of said compressor and providing said discharge temperature.

78. The condensing unit of claim 66, wherein said discharge temperature is measured approximately every twenty seconds.

79. The condensing unit of claim 66, wherein said valve is an electronic expansion valve.

80. The condensing unit of claim 66, wherein said valve is controlled to maintain said discharge temperature within a predetermined temperature range.

81. A condensing unit comprising:

a base;

a compressor supported by said base and including a suction port, a discharge port, and a fluid-injection port;

a first heat exchanger supported by said base and in fluid communication with said discharge port;

a second heat exchanger supported by said base and including a first inlet fluidly coupled to said first heat exchanger, a first outlet, a second inlet fluidly coupled to said first outlet, and a second outlet;

a conduit fluidly coupled to said second outlet of said second heat exchanger and said fluid-injection port of said compressor; and

a valve disposed between said first outlet of said second heat exchanger and said second inlet of said second heat exchanger.

82. The condensing unit of claim 81, wherein said compressor is a scroll compressor.

83. The condensing unit of claim 81, further comprising a first temperature sensor disposed between said first outlet of said second heat exchanger and said second inlet of said second heat exchanger, a second temperature sensor disposed between said second outlet of said second heat exchanger and said fluid-injection port of said compressor, and a third temperature sensor disposed proximate to said discharge port.

84. The condensing unit of claim 83, further comprising a controller in communication with said first temperature sensor, said second temperature sensor, and said third temperature sensor.

85. The condensing unit of claim 84, wherein said controller controls said valve based on information from said first temperature sensor, said second temperature sensor, and said third temperature sensor.

86. The condensing unit of claim 84, wherein said second heat exchanger is a plate-heat exchanger.

87. The condensing unit of claim 84, wherein said valve is an electronic expansion valve.

88. The condensing unit of claim 84, wherein said valve includes a stepper motor.