Apparatus and method for controlling a magnetic bearing centrifugal chiller
First Claim
1. A centrifugal cooling apparatus comprising:
- at least one of an evaporator, a centrifugal compressor having a magnetic bearing system, a condenser, and an expansion device, wherein the centrifugal compressor has an adjustable speed motor; and
a control unit configured to provide flow stability based upon an operating condition of the magnetic bearing system.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A control system and a method for controlling a centrifugal chiller through which a fluid to be chilled passes includes a chilling apparatus having at least one of each of the following components; an evaporator, a compressor, preferably a magnetic bearing compressor, a condenser and an expansion device. A plurality of sensors measure and generate signals representing operating conditions within the chilling apparatus. A chiller control unit including a signal processor receives the signals generated by the plurality of sensors. The chiller control unit further includes a memory device that stores information relating to thermodynamic properties of specific fluids and a comparison device programmed with a comparison algorithm that compares the received signals generated by the plurality of sensors to thermodynamic properties of the specific fluid contained in the memory device. Based on the comparison, the control unit generates at least one control signal to vary operation of one or more of the evaporator, compressor, condenser and expansion device to ensure the chiller system is operating at maximum efficiency.
42 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A centrifugal cooling apparatus comprising:
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at least one of an evaporator, a centrifugal compressor having a magnetic bearing system, a condenser, and an expansion device, wherein the centrifugal compressor has an adjustable speed motor; and
a control unit configured to provide flow stability based upon an operating condition of the magnetic bearing system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A centrifugal cooling apparatus comprising:
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a centrifugal compressor having a rotor and an adjustable speed motor used to drive the rotor;
a magnetic bearing system supporting the rotor; and
a control unit configured to control the speed of the motor, the control unit being configured to provide compressor flow stability based on a parameter related to the operating condition of the magnetic bearing system. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A centrifugal cooling apparatus comprising:
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a control system;
a centrifugal compressor having a magnetic bearing system; and
an active magnetic bearing control unit operatively associated with the control system for maintaining flow stability based on a condition of the magnetic bearing system. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification