Methods and systems for modifying the operation of a compressor via a portable memory device

• US 7,167,761 B2
• Filed: 02/04/2005
• Issued: 01/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Industrial U.S., Inc. (Ingersoll Rand, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company (Trane Technologies plc)
• Inventors: Mistry, Vipul R., Giraud, Regis, Petillion, Jean Marc, Alday, John H., Burris, Andy J., Wise, Brian D., Meyrick, Laurie
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, RAMESH B
• Application Number:
  US11/051,046
• Publication Number:
  US 20060089734A1
• Time in Patent Office: 718 Days
• Field of Search: 700/19, 700 2- 3, 700 4- 5, 700/65, 700/66, 700/56, 700/59, 700/170, 714/30, 709/217, 711/115, 711/104, 711/154, 711/167, 711/170, 702/1, 702/57, 358/1.16, 358/1.11
• US Class Current: 700/66
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 2203/0209 Rotational speed
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/065 and making use of computers
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/025 by controlling speed
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/0253 with variable speed

Abstract

A method and system for modifying the operation a device. The method can include obtaining a first reconfiguration kit. The first reconfiguration kit can include a portable memory device. The method can also include connecting the portable memory device to the device and transmitting information between the portable memory device and the device. The method can further include disconnecting the portable memory device from the device and returning the portable memory device to an entity associated with the provider of the portable memory device.

Claims

1. A system for modifying the operation of a compressor, the system comprising

a compressor controller configured to operate the compressor according to operating parameters;

a portable memory device including a counter to track use of the portable memory device; and

a first portable memory device interface configured to transmit information between the portable memory device and the compressor controller and to set the counter;

the portable memory device configured to be connected to the first portable memory device interface; and

the compressor controller configured to modify the operating parameters based on the information and to operate the compressor according to the modified operating parameters.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portable memory device is further configured to be disconnected from the first portable memory interface after transmitting the information.

3. A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the compressor controller is configured to operate the compressor according to the modified operating parameters after the portable memory device is disconnected from the first portable memory interface.

4. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the compressor controller is configured to operate the compressor according to the modified operating parameters while the portable memory device is connected to the first portable memory interface.

5. A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the portable memory device is further configured to be connected to a second portable memory device interface.

6. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the information includes operating characteristics configured to set the operating parameters of the compressor.

7. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the information includes operational information of the compressor.

8. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first portable memory device interface includes an external access connector.

9. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portable memory device includes an external output connector.

10. A system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a memory configured to store the operating parameters.

11. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portable memory device includes a selection mechanism configured to initiate the transmission of information.

12. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portable memory device includes an indicator configured to specify operation of the portable memory device.

13. A method of modifying the operation of a first device, the method comprising:

connecting a portable memory device to the first device, the portable memory device including a counter value to track use of the portable memory device;

transmitting information between the portable memory device and the first device;

modifying operating parameters of the first device based on the information;

setting the counter value of the portable memory device;

disconnecting the portable memory device from the first device; and

operating the first device with the modified operating parameters.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising returning the portable memory device to an entity associated with a provider of the portable memory device.

15. A method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising modifying information stored in the portable memory device.

16. A method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising connecting the portable memory device to a second device.

17. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the information includes operating characteristics configured to set the operating parameters of the first device.

18. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the information includes operational information of the first device.

19. A method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising initiating transmission of information between the portable memory device and the first device with a selection mechanism of the portable memory device.

20. A method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising engaging an emergency stop of the first device.

21. A method as claimed in claim 20, further comprising disengaging the emergency stop of the first device.

22. A method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising verifying an identification parameter.

23. A method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the identification parameter is included with the first device.

24. A method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the identification parameter is included with the portable memory device.

25. A method of modifying the operation of a device, the method comprising:

obtaining a first reconfiguration kit, the first reconfiguration kit including a portable memory device;

connecting the portable memory device to the device;

transmitting information between the portable memory device and the device;

disconnecting the portable memory device from the device; and

returning the portable memory device to an entity associated with the provider of the portable memory device.

26. A method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the first reconfiguration kit further includes a model designation decal.

27. A method as claimed in claim 26, further comprising installing the model designation decal.

28. A method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the first reconfiguration kit further includes a portable memory device record card.

29. A method as claimed in claim 28, further comprising filling out the portable memory device record card.

30. A method as claimed in claim 28, further comprising returning the portable memory device record card to an entity associated with a provider of the portable memory device.

31. A method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the first reconfiguration kit further includes a return mechanism.

32. A method as claimed in claim 31, wherein returning the portable memory device includes returning the portable memory device using the return mechanism.

33. A method as claimed in claim 25, further comprising initiating transmission of information between the portable memory device and the device with a selection mechanism included with the portable memory device.

34. A method as claimed in claim 25, further comprising engaging an emergency stop of the device.

35. A method as claimed in claim 34, further comprising disengaging the emergency stop of the device.

36. A method as claimed in claim 25, further comprising setting a counter value of the portable memory device after transmitting the information.

37. A method as claimed in claim 25, further comprising verifying an identification parameter before transmitting the information.

38. A portable memory device comprising:

a memory module configured to store a counter value for tracking use of the portable memory device;

an external output connector connectable with an external access connector of a device and configured to transmit information between the device and the memory module when the external output connector is connected to the external access connector of the device.

39. A portable memory device as claimed in claim 38, wherein the memory module is further configured to store operating characteristics to modify operating parameters of the device.

40. A portable memory device as claimed in claim 38, wherein the memory module is further configured to store operational information of the device.

41. A portable memory device as claimed in claim 38, further comprising a selection mechanism configured to allow a user to initiate transmission of information.

42. A portable memory device as claimed in claim 41, wherein the selection mechanism is further configured to allow a user to select information to transmit.

43. A portable memory device as claimed in claim 41, wherein the selection mechanism is further configured to allow a user to store information to the memory.

44. A portable memory device as claimed in claim 38, further comprising an indicator configured to specify operation of the portable memory device.

45. A portable memory device as claimed in claim 38, wherein the memory module is further configured to store an identification parameter.