Compressor with protection module

• US 5,975,854 A
• Filed: 05/09/1997
• Issued: 11/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Copeland Corporation LLC (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Taylor, Birchard M., Shivashankar, Suresh, Culp, Charles H. III, Millet, Hank E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Freay, Charles G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Evora, Robert Z.
• Application Number:
  US08/853,864
• Time in Patent Office: 907 Days
• Field of Search: 417/12, 417/18, 417/32, 417/44.1, 418/55.5, 418/55.1
• US Class Current: 417/18
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 18/0215 where only one member is moving
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2240/603 with internal channels for fluid distribution, e.g. hollow shaft
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/12 Vibration
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 23/008 Hermetic pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 28/28 Safety arrangements; Monitoring

Abstract

A protection system for a scroll machine provides temperature, mis-wiring and vibrational protection for the scroll machine. The vibrational protection comprises a vibration sensor which is integrated on the circuit board of the protection system. The vibration sensor, in conjunction with at least one timer, monitors the vibrations of the scroll machine and will shut down the machine when excess vibrations are sensed over a prespecified period of time. The temperature system monitors operating temperature conditions and the mis-wiring system monitors the power supplied to the compressor. Once an undesirable characteristic is identified, the operation of the scroll machine is stopped. These protection systems are integrated into a single module which identifies the reason of shutting off the scroll machine in order to simplify repairs needed.

Claims

1. A scroll machine comprising:

a shell;

a first scroll member disposed in said shell and having a first spiral wrap;

a second scroll member disposed in said shell and having a second spiral wrap, said wraps being mutually intermeshed;

means for causing said scroll members to orbit with respect to one another whereby said wraps create at least one enclosed space of progressively changing volume between a suction port and a discharge port;

a terminal box secured to said shell;

a protection module attached to said terminal box; and

a vibration sensor secured to said protection module, said vibration sensor being capable of sensing an undesirable vibration and producing an indicative signal.

2. The scroll machine according to claim 1 further including a timer electrically connected with said vibration sensor, said timer requiring said vibration sensor to sense said undesirable vibration for a specified time period prior to stopping operation of said scroll machine.

3. The scroll machine according to claim 1 wherein, said protection module monitors an operating temperature of said scroll machine and stops operation of said scroll machine when said operating temperature is undesirable.

4. The scroll machine according to claim 3 wherein, said means for causing said scroll members to orbit includes a motor having a stator and a rotor, said operating temperature being a temperature of said stator.

5. The scroll machine according to claim 4 wherein, said protection module monitors a temperature of gas adjacent said discharge port.

6. The scroll machine according to claim 3 wherein, said operating temperature is a temperature of gas adjacent said discharge port.

7. The scroll machine according to claim 1 wherein, said means for causing said scroll members to orbit includes an electric motor, said protection module being operative to prevent operation of said scroll machine upon sensing an improper electrical connection to said electric motor.

8. The scroll machine according to claim 1 wherein said vibration sensor comprises:

a cover defining a bore;

a contactor ring disposed within said bore of said cover;

a terminal rod secured to said contactor ring and extending through said cover;

a spring wire disposed within said bore and extending through said cover, said spring wire having an end disposed within said contactor ring;

a ball secured to said end of said spring wire; and

an end cap secured to said cover.

9. The scroll machine comprising:

a shell;

a first scroll member disposed in said shell and having a first spiral wrap;

a second scroll member disposed in said shell and having a second spiral wrap, said wraps being mutually intermeshed;

means for causing said scroll members to orbit with respect to one another whereby said wraps create at least one enclosed space of progressively changing volume between a suction port and a discharge port;

a terminal box secured to said shell; and

a protection system secured to said terminal box, said protection system incorporating a temperature sensor disposed within said shell for detecting an undesirable temperature and a vibration sensor for detecting an undesirable vibration to prevent operation of said scroll machine.

10. The scroll machine according to claim 9 wherein, said protection system includes a timer for determining a length of time of said undesirable vibration, said protection system delaying the stopping of said scroll machine until said length of time reaches a predetermined value.

11. The scroll machine according to claim 9 wherein, said protection system is secured to said shell.

12. The scroll machine according to claim 9 wherein, said means for causing said scroll members to orbit includes a motor having a stator and a rotor, said temperature sensor monitoring said stator to determine said undesirable temperature.

13. The scroll machine according to claim 12 wherein, said temperature sensor monitors gas adjacent said discharge port to determine said undesirable temperature.

14. The scroll machine according to claim 9 wherein, said temperature sensor monitors gas adjacent said discharge port to determine said undesirable temperature.

15. The scroll machine according to claim 9 wherein, said means for causing said scroll members to orbit includes an electric motor, said protection system being operative to prevent operation of said scroll machine upon sensing an improper electrical connection to said electric motor.

16. The scroll machine according to claim 9 wherein, said protection system includes a vibration sensor, said vibration sensor comprising:

a cover defining a bore;

a contactor ring disposed within said bore of said cover;

a terminal rod secured to said contactor ring and extending through said cover;

a spring wire disposed within said bore and extending through said cover, said spring wire having an end disposed within said contactor ring;

a ball secured to said end of said spring wire; and

an end cap secured to said cover.

17. The scroll machine comprising:

a shell;

a first scroll member disposed in said shell and having a first spiral wrap;

a second scroll member disposed in said shell and having a second spiral wrap, said wraps being mutually intermeshed;

means for causing said scroll members to orbit with respect to one another whereby said wraps create at least one enclosed space of progressively changing volume between a suction port and a discharge port;

a terminal box secured to said shell; and

a protection system secured to said terminal box, said protection system incorporating a mis-wiring sensor for detecting a mis-wiring condition and a vibration sensor for detecting an undesirable vibration to prevent operation of said scroll machine.

18. The scroll machine according to claim 17 wherein, said protection system includes a timer for determining a length of time of said undesirable vibration, said protection system delaying the stopping of said scroll machine until said length of time reaches a predetermined value.

19. The scroll machine according to claim 17 wherein, said protection system is secured to said shell.

20. The scroll machine according to claim 17 wherein, said protection system includes a vibration sensor, said vibration sensor comprising:

a cover defining a bore;

a contactor ring disposed within said bore of said cover;

a terminal rod secured to said contactor ring and extending through said cover;

a spring wire disposed within said bore and extending through said cover, said spring wire having an end disposed within said contactor ring;

a ball secured to said end of said spring wire; and

an end cap secured to said cover.