Compressor diagnostic and recording system

• US 6,406,265 B1
• Filed: 04/21/2000
• Issued: 06/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Scroll Technologies (Danfoss A/S)
• Original Assignee: Scroll Technologies (Danfoss A/S)
• Inventors: Bush, James W., Sun, Zili, Williams, John R., Hill, Joe T., Zamudio, Carlos, Barito, Thomas, Hugenroth, Jason, Hahn, Greg
• Primary Examiner(s): KOCZO JR, MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US09/553,836
• Time in Patent Office: 788 Days
• Field of Search: 625/05, 417/19, 417/32, 417/44.1, 417/44.2, 417/44.3, 417/45, 417/18, 371/29, 418/55.3
• US Class Current: 417/19
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 18/0207 both members having co-operating elements in spiral form
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2240/603 with internal channels for fluid distribution, e.g. hollow shaft
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2240/803 Electric connectors or cables; Fittings therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2240/81 Sensor, e.g. electronic sensor for control or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/80 Diagnostics
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 23/008 Hermetic pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 28/06 specially adapted for stopping, starting, idling or no-load operation
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 28/28 Safety arrangements; Monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 1/04 with compressor of rotary type F25B1/005, F25B1/10 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2700/1931 Discharge pressures
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2700/1933 Suction pressures
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2700/21151 at the suction side of the compressor
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2700/21152 at the discharge side of the compressor
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 49/005 of safety devices F25B49/02 and F25B49/04 take precedence

Abstract

A compressor diagnostic system incorporates a control which receives a plurality of data streams about various operational features of the compressor. As an example, both temperature and pressure of the suction and discharge refrigerant are taken and sent to the control. Moreover, information with regard to the power being supplied to the motor is taken and stored. All of this information is utilized at a control which compares the information to expected values and determines a fault based upon the evaluation. Moreover, in another feature of this invention, much of this data is stored, and maintained at the compressor. In the event of a compressor failure, this stored information will provide a maintenance worker with a good indication of why the compressor failed.

Claims

1. A sealed compressor comprising:

a housing enclosing a compressor pump unit and a motor for driving said compressor pump unit;

a microprocessor control for determining fault conditions, said control being provided with data with regard to several operational features of said compressor, and said control storing said data in a memory, said control and said memory being mounted on an outer surface of said housing, and being accessible to a worker to retrieve said data at a later point in time.

2. A compressor as recited in claim 1, wherein said features include suction and discharge information of said compressor, and further information with regard to the power being supplied to said motor.

3. A compressor as recited in claim 1, wherein said compressor pump unit is a scroll compressor.

4. A compressor as recited in claim 1, wherein sensors are provided to sense temperature and pressure at a discharge tube, and temperature and pressure at a suction tube, and supplies said temperature and pressure information from both suction and discharge to said control.

5. A compressor as recited in claim 1, wherein said operational features include pressure information.

6. A compressor as recited in claim 1, wherein said operational features include temperature information.

7. A compressor as recited in claim 1, wherein said data includes a fault code with numbers indicative of a particular fault.

8. A compressor as recited in claim 1, wherein said motor is stopped if said data in indicative of a particular fault.