Discharge temperature sensor for sealed compressor

• US 6,085,530 A
• Filed: 12/07/1998
• Issued: 07/11/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Scroll Technologies (Danfoss A/S)
• Original Assignee: Scroll Technologies (Danfoss A/S)
• Inventors: Barito, Thomas R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tanner, Harry B.
• Application Number:
  US09/206,832
• Time in Patent Office: 582 Days
• Field of Search: 62/126, 62/129, 62/228.1, 62/228.3, 62/161, 361/22, 417/32
• US Class Current: 62/126
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 28/28 Safety arrangements; Monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2500/222 Detecting refrigerant leaks
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 49/005 of safety devices F25B49/02 and F25B49/04 take precedence

Abstract

A sensor is provided for monitoring temperatures within a discharge tube on a scroll compressor. If the temperature is too high, this is an indication of the loss of charge situation. When the temperature on the discharge tube exceeds the temperature indicative of a loss of charge, then the motor is stopped. In one embodiment, a heat fusible link melts when the temperature is exceeded and sends a signal to a control to stop the motor. A repair person must then visit the compressor and repair the compressor before it can be restarted. In this way, the system provides a very inexpensive control for eliminating operation of the compressor and its associated refrigeration system in a loss of charge situation.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring a sealed compressor comprising:

providing a sealed compressor canister housing a motor and compressor into a refrigerant system, and providing a charge of refrigerant within said refrigerant system;

placing a sensor adjacent a discharge end of said compressor to monitor a condition of the compressor indicative of the amount of refrigerant charge within said system said sensor being provided by a heat fusible link;

sending a signal to a control to stop operation of said motor should said sensor determine that there is an inadequate supply of refrigerant within said compressor system said heat fusible link melting when a predetermined temperature is reached to send said signal; and

stopping operation of said motor until a service call is made.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said compressor is a scroll compressor.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensor is placed on a discharge tube.

4. A compressor comprising:

a sealed canister;

a compressor unit and an electric motor for driving said compressor unit placed within said sealed canister;

a discharge pressure portion of said sealed canister and a suction pressure portion of said sealed canister; and

a sensor for monitoring conditions within said canister, said sensor being placed on a portion of said canister at discharge pressure, said sensor being operable to identify a loss of refrigerant within said canister and send a signal to a control, said control being operable to shut down said motor for said compressor if a signal is received, said sensor requiring manual resetting to re-start said motor after said shut down occurs.

5. A compressor as recited in claim 4, wherein said compressor unit is a scroll compressor unit.

6. A compressor as recited in claim 4, wherein said sensor is a heat fusible element, which melts when a predetermined design temperature is reached.

7. A compressor as recited in claim 6, wherein said heat fusible element is mounted on a discharge tube.

8. A compressor comprising:

a sealed canister;

a compressor unit and an electric motor for driving said compressor unit placed within said sealed canister;

a discharge pressure portion of said sealed canister and a suction pressure portion of said sealed canister; and

a sensor for monitoring conditions within said canister, said sensor being placed on a portion of said canister at discharge pressure, said sensor being operable to identify a loss of refrigerant within said canister and send a signal to a control, said control being operable to shut down said motor for said compressor if a signal is received, said sensor being a heat fusible element which melts when a predetermined design temperature is reached.