Relay Switch Control and Related Methods

• US 20130211615A1
• Filed: 02/13/2013
• Published: 08/15/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Copeland Comfort Control LP (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
• Inventors: Ruiz, Randy T., Zikes, Bradley C., Vie, David L.
• Granted Patent: US 10,209,751 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/295
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 47/32 Energising current supplied by semiconductor device

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of a relay switch control configured for connection between a power source and a load. The control includes a processor having a clock upon which an operating frequency of the processor is based, and a sealed relay operable by the processor to electrically connect or disconnect the power source and the load. The relay switch control can start power to the load through the relay after a randomized time delay determined by the processor using a value of a counter of the processor. The counter is updated as a function of cycles of the clock.

Claims

1. A relay switch control configured for connection between a power source and a load, the relay switch control comprising:

a processor having a clock upon which an operating frequency of the processor is based; and

a relay operable by the processor to electrically connect or disconnect the power source and the load;

the relay switch control further configured to start power to the load through the relay after a randomized time delay determined by the processor using a value of a counter of the processor, the counter updated as a function of cycles of the clock.

2. The relay switch control of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine the time delay based on the value of the counter at a time of detection by the processor of a zero crossing of a signal of the power source.

3. The relay switch control of claim 2, wherein the processor is configured to use at least a portion of the counter value and a length of a cycle of the power source signal to obtain the time delay.

4. The relay switch control of claim 1, wherein the relay is substantially enclosed in a seal.

5. The relay switch control of claim 1, wherein:

The load includes a compressor motor; and

the relay switch control further comprises a lockout selection device in communication with the processor and selectively operable by a user to enable or disable an operational lockout of the compressor after a predetermined number of failed attempts to start the compressor.

6. The relay switch control of claim 1, further comprising a multicolor light emitting diode (LED) operable by the processor to indicate one or more of the following:

a number of cycles through which the relay has cycled, and a fault or status condition detected by the processor.

7. A relay switch control comprising:

a processor; and

a relay operable by the processor to electrically connect or disconnect a power source and a load, the relay substantially enclosed in a seal;

the relay switch control configured for connection as a unit between the power source and the load.

8. The relay switch control of claim 7, wherein:

the load includes a compressor motor; and

the control further comprises a lockout selection device connected with the processor and selectively operable by a user to enable or disable an operational lockout of the compressor after a predetermined number of failed attempts to start the compressor.

9. The relay switch control of claim 8, wherein the lockout selection device comprises one or more of the following:

a dipswitch, a rotary switch, and a jumper.

10. The relay switch control of claim 8, wherein the lockout selection device is selectively operable to prevent an operational lockout of the compressor.

11. The relay switch control of claim 7, further comprising an indicator light and at least one pushbutton operable to provide input to the processor, the processor configured to selectively activate the indicator light based on the input.

12. The relay switch control of claim 11, wherein the indicator light comprises a multicolor light emitting diode (LED) operable by the processor to indicate one or more of the following:

a number of cycles through which the relay has cycled, and a fault or status condition detected by the processor.

13. The relay switch control of claim 7, wherein:

the processor comprises a clock upon which an operating frequency of the processor is based; and

the processor is further configured to start the motor through the relay after a randomized time delay determined by the processor using a value of a counter of the processor, the counter updated as a function of cycles of the clock.

14. A relay switch control configured for connection between a power source and a compressor in a climate control system, the control comprising:

a processor; and

a lockout selection device in communication with the processor and selectively operable by a user to enable or disable an operational lockout of the compressor after a predetermined number of failed attempts to start the compressor.

15. The relay switch control of claim 14, wherein the lockout selection device comprises one or more of the following:

a dipswitch, a rotary switch, and a jumper.

16. The relay switch control of claim 14, wherein the lockout selection device is selectively operable to prevent an operational lockout of the compressor.

17. A method of providing a random start capability for a line-powered apparatus, the method performed by a processor of a control for the apparatus, the processor having an internal clock and a counter that is updated based on cycles of the clock, the method comprising:

detecting a signal indicating startup of line power to the apparatus;

upon detecting a zero cross of the signal, storing at least a portion of a current value of the counter; and

combining at least a portion of the stored value with a value of a cycle of the signal to obtain a randomized number for use as a time delay before startup of the apparatus.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the combining comprises multiplying the at least a portion of the stored value with the value of the cycle of the signal.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein:

the stored value is stored as a number of bits; and

the at least a portion of the stored value comprises at least some of the bits.

20. The method of claim 17, performed by a plurality of processors for a plurality of apparatus.

21. The method of claim 17, performed once as to the apparatus, the method further comprising using the same time delay for a plurality of subsequent startups of the apparatus.

22. The method of claim 17, performed at more than one startup of the apparatus.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein the apparatus includes a motor of a compressor.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the processor is included in a relay switch control connected with the compressor.