Air conditioner control apparatus based on coolant type detection

• US 5,709,094 A
• Filed: 03/11/1996
• Issued: 01/20/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Motohashi, Hideaki, Ooyabu, Yasunori, Komazaki, Megumi, Furuhama, Kokichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Bennett, Henry A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TINKER, SUSANNE CHRISTINE
• Application Number:
  US08/613,886
• Time in Patent Office: 680 Days
• Field of Search: 62/125, 62/126, 62/132, 62/228.4, 62/225, 62/502
• US Class Current: 62/126
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/64 using pre-stored data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/83 by controlling the supply of heat-exchange fluids to heat-exchangers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/84 using valves
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/86 by controlling compressors within refrigeration or heat pump circuits
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2140/00 Control inputs relating to system states
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 9/002 characterised by the refrigerant

Abstract

An air conditioner control apparatus measures coolant temperatures and pressures at both inlet side and outlet side of a compressor, or detects a electric capacity of the coolant and the like in order to determine the kind of coolant. For example, when a CPU 31 detects that the coolant R22 is used, the apparatus selects a data item of a fluorocarbone-based coolant R22 stored in a data selection means 35 storing pressure-temperature data items, and calculates a super-heated rate or a super-cooled rate according to the ability of a compressor 1 so that the room temperature reaches the predetermined one set by the operator and setting a calculation result. Next, a vapor temperature is calculated by each indoor air conditioner side, and during a cooling operation, electronic expansion valves 9, 11 are controlled so that target super-heated temperature are reached to the temperatures in temperature sensors 17 and 19.

Claims

1. An air conditioner control apparatus, comprising:

control data storing means for storing at least two control data items for controlling a cooling cycle of an air conditioner which is driven with one of at least two coolants appropriate for use in said air conditioner;

coolant exchange detection means for detecting replacement of one of said coolants by another of said coolants; and

data selection means for selecting one of said control data items corresponding to said another of said coolants for controlling said cooling cycle of said air conditioner.

2. An air conditioner control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said coolant exchange detection means also detects replacement of said one of said coolants by said another of said coolants which is none of said at least two coolants, and

wherein said air conditioner control apparatus further comprises means for stopping an operation of said air conditioner when said one of said coolants is replaced by said another of said coolants which is none of said at least two coolants.

3. An air conditioner control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said coolant exchange detection means detects replacement of said one of said coolants by said another of said coolants based on a temperature and a pressure of said coolant flowing during said cooling cycle.

4. An air conditioner control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said coolant exchange detection means detects replacement of said one of said coolants by said another of said coolants based on a temperature and an inlet pressure at an inlet side and a temperature and an outlet pressure at an outlet side of a compressor for compressing said coolant placed in said air conditioner.

5. An air conditioner control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said coolant exchange detection means detects replacement of said one of said coolants by said another of said coolants based on an electrostatic capacity of said coolant.

6. An air conditioner control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising one or more floats including a specified kind reference coolant, wherein said coolant exchange detection means detects replacement of said one of said coolants by said another of said coolants based on a buoyancy of said floats including said reference coolant immersed in said coolant.

7. An air conditioner control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said coolant exchange detection means detects replacement of said one of said coolants by said another of said coolants based on an outside temperature of said air conditioner control apparatus and a pressure of said coolant when said air conditioner is stopped.

8. An air conditioner control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein when replacement of the one of said coolants by said another of said coolants is detected by said coolant exchange detection means, and when said another of said coolants is unsuitable for an operation of said air conditioner, said air conditioner control apparatus stops an operation of said air conditioner.

9. An air conditioner control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein when replacement of the one of said coolants by said another of said coolants is detected by said coolant exchange detection means, and when said another of said coolants is unsuitable for an operation of said air conditioner, said air conditioner control apparatus provide information of a detection result to an operator through an information means.

10. An air conditioner control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control data storing means stores control data items for indicating a most suitable rotating frequency of a compressor to compress said coolant according to a kind of coolant and for indicating a temperature difference between a vapor temperature of said coolant and a temperature of said coolant according to said kind of coolant.

11. An air conditioner control apparatus, comprising:

control program storing means for storing at least two programs for controlling a cooling cycle of an air conditioner which is driven with one of at least two coolants appropriate for use in said air conditioner;

coolant exchange detection means for detecting replacement of one of said coolants by another of said coolants; and

control means for selecting one of said programs corresponding to said another of said coolants for controlling said cooling cycle of said air conditioner.

12. An air conditioner control apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said coolant exchange detection means also detects replacement of said one of said coolants by said another of said coolants which is none of said at least two coolants, and

wherein said air conditioner control apparatus further comprises means for stopping an operation of said air conditioner when said one of said coolants is replaced by said another of said coolants which is none of said at least two coolants.

13. An air conditioner control apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said coolant exchange detection means detects replacement of said one of said coolants by said another of said coolants based on a temperature and a pressure of said coolant flowing during said cooling cycle.

14. An air conditioner control apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said coolant exchange detection means detects replacement of said one of said coolants by said another of said coolants based on a temperature and an inlet pressure at an inlet side and a temperature and an outlet pressure at an outlet side of a compressor for compressing said coolant placed in said air conditioner.

15. An air conditioner control apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said coolant exchange detection means detects replacement of said one of said coolants by said another of said coolants based on an electrostatic capacity of said coolant.

16. An air conditioner control apparatus as claimed in claim 11, further comprising one or more floats including a specified kind reference coolant, wherein said coolant exchange detection means detects replacement of said one of said coolants by said another of said coolants based on a buoyancy of said floats including said reference coolant immersed in said coolant.

17. An air conditioner control apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said coolant exchange detection means detects replacement of said one of said coolants by said another of said coolants based on an outside temperature of said air conditioner control apparatus and a pressure of said coolant when said air conditioner is stopped.

18. An air conditioner control apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein when replacement of the one of said coolants by said another of said coolants is detected by said coolant exchange detection means, and when said another of said coolants is unsuitable for an operation of said air conditioner, said air conditioner control apparatus stops an operation of said air conditioner.

19. An air conditioner control apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein when replacement of the one of said coolants by said another of said coolants is detected by said coolant exchange detection means, and when said another of said coolants is unsuitable for an operation of said air conditioner, said air conditioner control apparatus provide information of a detection result to an operator through an information means.

20. An air conditioner control apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said control data storing means stores control data items for indicating a most suitable rotating frequency of a compressor to compress said coolant according to a kind of coolant and for indicating a temperature difference between a vapor temperature of said coolant and a temperature of said coolant according to said kind of coolant.

21. An air conditioner control apparatus, comprising:

control data storing means for storing a plurality of control data items in order to control a cooling cycle of an air conditioner according to a kind of coolant used in said air conditioner;

coolant type detection means for detecting said kind of coolant used in said air conditioner; and

data selection means for selecting at least one of said plurality of control data items according to said kind of coolant detected by said coolant type detection means,

wherein said coolant type detection means detects said kind of coolant based on a temperature and a pressure of said coolant flowing during said cooling cycle.

22. An air conditioner control apparatus, comprising:

control program storing means for storing a plurality of programs in order to control a cooling cycle of an air conditioner according to a kind of coolant used in said air conditioner;

coolant type detection means for detecting said kind of coolant used in said air conditioner; and

control means for selecting at least one of said plurality of programs according to said kind of coolant detected by said coolant type detection means and for controlling said cooling cycle of said air conditioner,

wherein said coolant type detection means detects said kind of coolant based on a temperature and a pressure of said coolant flowing during said cooling cycle.

23. An air conditioner control apparatus, comprising:

control data storing means for storing a plurality of control data items in order to control a cooling cycle of an air conditioner according to a kind of coolant used in said air conditioner;

coolant type detection means for detecting said kind of coolant used in said air conditioner; and

data selection means for selecting at least one of said plurality of control data items according to said kind of coolant detected by said coolant type detection means,

wherein said coolant type detection means detects said kind of coolant based on a temperature and an inlet pressure at an inlet side and a temperature and an outlet pressure at an outlet side of a compressor for compressing said coolant placed in said air conditioner.

24. An air conditioner control apparatus, comprising:

control program storing means for storing a plurality of programs in order to control a cooling cycle of an air conditioner according to a kind of coolant used in said air conditioner;

coolant type detection means for detecting said kind of coolant used in said air conditioner; and

control means for selecting at least one of said plurality of programs according to said kind of coolant detected by said coolant type detection means and for controlling said cooling cycle of said air conditioner,

wherein said coolant type detection means detects said kind of coolant based on a temperature and an inlet pressure at an inlet side and a temperature and an outlet pressure at an outlet side of a compressor for compressing said coolant placed in said air conditioner.

25. An air conditioner control apparatus, comprising:

control data storing means for storing a plurality of control data items in order to control a cooling cycle of an air conditioner according to a kind of coolant used in said air conditioner;

coolant type detection means for detecting said kind of coolant used in said air conditioner;

data selection means for selecting at least one of said plurality of control data items according to said kind of coolant detected by said coolant type detection means; and

one or more floats including a specified kind reference coolant,

wherein said coolant type detection means detects said kind of coolant based on a buoyancy of said floats including said reference coolant immersed in said coolant.

26. An air conditioner control apparatus, comprising:

control program storing means for storing a plurality of programs in order to control a cooling cycle of an air conditioner according to a kind of coolant used in said air conditioner;

coolant type detection means for detecting said kind of coolant used in said air conditioner;

control means for selecting at least one of said plurality of programs according to said kind of coolant detected by said coolant type detection means and for controlling said cooling cycle of said air conditioner; and

one or more floats including a specified kind reference coolant,

wherein said coolant type detection means detects said kind of coolant based on a buoyancy of said floats including said reference coolant immersed in said coolant.

27. An air conditioner control apparatus, comprising:

control data storing means for storing a plurality of control data items in order to control a cooling cycle of an air conditioner according to a kind of coolant used in said air conditioner;

coolant type detection means for detecting said kind of coolant used in said air conditioner; and

data selection means for selecting at least one of said plurality of control data items according to said kind of coolant detected by said coolant type detection means,

wherein said coolant type detection means detects said kind of coolant based on an outside temperature of said air conditioner control apparatus and a pressure of said coolant when said air conditioner is stopped.

28. An air conditioner control apparatus, comprising:

control program storing means for storing a plurality of programs in order to control a cooling cycle of an air conditioner according to a kind of coolant used in said air conditioner;

coolant type detection means for detecting said kind of coolant used in said air conditioner; and

control means for selecting at least one of said plurality of programs according to said kind of coolant detected by said coolant type detection means and for controlling said cooling cycle of said air conditioner,

wherein said coolant type detection means detects said kind of coolant based on an outside temperature of said air conditioner control apparatus and a pressure of said coolant when said air conditioner is stopped.

29. An air conditioner control apparatus, comprising:

control data storing means for storing a plurality of control data items in order to control a cooling cycle of an air conditioner according to a kind of coolant used in said air conditioner;

coolant type detection means for detecting said kind of coolant used in said air conditioner; and

data selection means for selecting at least one of said plurality of control data items according to said kind of coolant detected by said coolant type detection means,

wherein when the kind of coolant detected by said coolant type detection means is unsuitable for an operation of said air conditioner, said air conditioner control apparatus stops an operation of said air conditioner.

30. An air conditioner control apparatus, comprising:

control program storing means for storing a plurality of programs in order to control a cooling cycle of an air conditioner according to a kind of coolant used in said air conditioner;

coolant type detection means for detecting said kind of coolant used in said air conditioner; and

control means for selecting at least one of said plurality of programs according to said kind of coolant detected by said coolant type detection means and for controlling said cooling cycle of said air conditioner,

wherein when the kind of coolant detected by said coolant type detection means is unsuitable for an operation of said air conditioner, said air conditioner control apparatus stops an operation of said air conditioner.

31. An air conditioner control apparatus, comprising:

control data storing means for storing a plurality of control data items in order to control a cooling cycle of an air conditioner according to a kind of coolant used in said air conditioner;

coolant type detection means for detecting said kind of coolant used in said air conditioner; and

data selection means for selecting at least one of said plurality of control data items according to said kind of coolant detected by said coolant type detection means,

wherein when the kind of coolant detected by said coolant type detection means is unsuitable for an operation of said air conditioner, said air conditioner control apparatus provides information of a detection result to an operator through an information means.

32. An air conditioner control apparatus, comprising:

control program storing means for storing a plurality of programs in order to control a cooling cycle of an air conditioner according to a kind of coolant used in said air conditioner;

coolant type detection means for detecting said kind of coolant used in said air conditioner; and

control means for selecting at least one of said plurality of programs according to said kind of coolant detected by said coolant the detection means and for controlling said cooling cycle of said air conditioner,

wherein when the kind of coolant detected by said coolant type detection means is unsuitable for an operation of said air conditioner, said air conditioner control apparatus provides information of a detection result to an operator through an information means.