Two step power output motor and associated HVAC systems and methods

• US 6,172,476 B1
• Filed: 08/13/1998
• Issued: 01/09/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kulthorn Kirby Public Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Bristol Compressors International Incorporated (Kulthorn Kirby Public Company Limited)
• Inventors: Loprete, Joseph F, Tolbert, John W. Jr., Monk, David T, Young, Michael R
• Primary Examiner(s): Sircus, Brian
• Application Number:
  US09/133,840
• Time in Patent Office: 880 Days
• Field of Search: 318/739, 318/740, 318/749, 318/751, 318/752-755, 318/772, 318/778-781, 318/785, 318/786, 318/798-811, 622/281, 622/284, 622/30, 622/07
• US Class Current: 318/772
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 1/426 by using a specially adapted frequency converter
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 23/0027 using different modes of control depending on a parameter, e.g. the speed
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 25/04 Single phase motors, e.g. capacitor motors

Abstract

An electrical control system for an induction motor for achieving optimum efficiency at both full and partial loads at markedly reduced electrical components costs while maximizing reliability over the range of load, and for achieving a two step motor power output in a greatly simplified manner, the circuit having an electrical induction motor adapted for connection to line electrical power at maximum motor operating frequency, and to a second source of electrical power at approximately one half of the maximum operating frequency, wherein an electrical switch is provided for selectively connecting each power source to the motor, wherein the second source is a reduced frequency wave form generator for producing a reduced frequency wave form.

Claims

1. A method for operating a system for conditioning a space, the system including a compressor with an electrical motor, an expansion valve, a condenser, an air mover with an electrical motor, and an evaporator, said method including the steps of:

sensing the condition of the space to be treated;

operating the compressor at a first preselected and fixed speed when the sensed condition indicates that the system should be operated at a maximum load;

operating the compressor at a second preselected and fixed speed, lower than the first speed, when the sensed condition indicates that the system should be operated at a lesser load; and

driving the motor of the air mover by line current when the compressor operates at the first preselected speed and by a second source of fixed power at a frequency lower than the frequency of the line current, when the compressor operates at the second preselected speed.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said second source of power is produced by a reduced frequency wave form generator.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the motor of the air mover is a single phase induction motor and the line voltage and the second source of voltage are both single phase.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the line voltage has a frequency within the range of 50 to 60 Hz, and the second source of power has a frequency within the range of 20 to 50 Hz.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein air mover is a blower to move air over the coils of the evaporator.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of sensing the condition of the space is performed by a two stage thermostat.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the compressor is a two stage reversible compressor that rotates in the forward direction at the first preselected load and operates in the reverse direction at the second preselected load.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the compressor motor has run and start windings and runs on the run windings when it rotates in the forward direction and runs on the start windings when it rotates in the reverse direction.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the speed of the blower motor and the capacity of the compressor are reduced proportionally to each other.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the line current has a frequency of approximately 60 Hz and the second source of fixed power has a frequency of approximately 30 Hz.

11. A system for conditioning a space, said system comprising:

a compressor having a motor;

a blower having a motor;

a sensor for sensing the condition of the space;

a first source of electrical power in the form of line power;

an electrical device connected with the line power for developing a second source of electrical power having a second preselected frequency different than the frequency of the line power; and

a switching device for selectively connecting the blower motor and the compressor motor to either the first source of electrical power or to the frequency wave form generator depending upon the sensed condition of the space.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the second preselected frequency of the second source of electrical power is less than the frequency of the line power.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the electrical device is a frequency wave form generator and the frequency wave form generator produces a single phase simulated sine wave.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein the line power comprises single phase power having a frequency in the range of about 50 to 60 Hz and a voltage in the range of about 110 volts to 277 volts, and said electrical device generates a single phase power having a frequency within the range of about 20 to 50 Hz and a voltage in the range of about 40 to 230 volts.

15. The system of claim 11 wherein the sensor is a two stage thermostat.

16. The system of claim 11 wherein said switching device includes a solenoid switch.

17. The system of claim 11 wherein the motor of the air mover is a single phase induction motor and the line voltage and the second source of electrical power are both single phase.