Method and control system for protecting an electric motor driven compressor in a refrigeration system
First Claim
1. A method of operating a refrigeration system having a compressor driven by an electric motor, comprising:
- monitoring a load to be satisfied by operation of the refrigeration system;
turning on the refrigeration system, including the refrigeration system compressor, when the step of monitoring detects a load to be satisfied by operation of the refrigeration system;
turning off the refrigeration system compressor when the load is satisfied and the refrigeration system is providing excess capacity for satisfying the load;
sensing current flow to the electric motor driving the refrigeration system compressor when the compressor is turned off due to excess capacity; and
shutting down operation of the refrigeration system if the sensed current flow is abnormal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and control system for protecting an electric motor driven compressor in a refrigeration system are disclosed. The refrigeration system operates to satisfy a load placed on the system and the refrigeration system compressor is turned off when the load is satisfied and the refrigeration system is providing excess capacity. When the compressor is turned off due to excess capacity, current flow to the electric motor driving the compressor is sensed and the refrigeration system is shut down if the sensed current flow is abnormal. In this manner, the compressor and the electric motor driving the compressor are protected against restarting under unfavorable operating conditions which could unduly wear the compressor motor and/or the compressor.
81 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method of operating a refrigeration system having a compressor driven by an electric motor, comprising:
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monitoring a load to be satisfied by operation of the refrigeration system; turning on the refrigeration system, including the refrigeration system compressor, when the step of monitoring detects a load to be satisfied by operation of the refrigeration system; turning off the refrigeration system compressor when the load is satisfied and the refrigeration system is providing excess capacity for satisfying the load; sensing current flow to the electric motor driving the refrigeration system compressor when the compressor is turned off due to excess capacity; and shutting down operation of the refrigeration system if the sensed current flow is abnormal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A control system for a refrigeration system having a compressor driven by an electric motor comprising:
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means for monitoring a load to be satisfied by operation of the refrigeration system; means for turning on the refrigeration system, including means for turning on the refrigeration system compressor, when the means for monitoring detects a load to be satisfied by operation of the refrigeration system; means for turning off the refrigeration system compressor when the load is satisfied and the refrigeration system is providing excess capacity for satisfying the load; means for sensing current flow to the electric motor driving the refrigeration system compressor when the compressor is turned off due to excess capacity; and means for shutting down operation of the refrigeration system when the sensed current flow is abnormal. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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Specification