Startup control system and method for a multiple compressor chiller system
First Claim
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1. A method for determining a number of compressors to start in a multiple compressor chiller system, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a multiple compressor chiller system having a predetermined number of compressors and a variable speed drive, the variable speed drive having a predetermined number of inverters, wherein each inverter is configured to power a corresponding motor of a compressor;
designating a number of inverters to be enabled on startup of the multiple compressor chiller system, wherein the designated number of inverters to be enabled on startup being initially equal to the predetermined number of inverters, and wherein enabling of an inverter at startup of the multiple compressor chiller system starts a corresponding compressor;
determining whether at least one predetermined criteria related to conditions of the multiple compressor chiller system is satisfied; and
reducing the designated number of inverters to be enabled on startup by a predetermined amount in response to a determination that a predetermined criteria has been satisfied.
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Abstract
A startup control algorithm for a multiple compressor liquid chiller system is provided wherein the maximum number of compressors to be started to satisfy system load conditions is provided. The control algorithm designates all of the compressors of the multiple compressor system for starting and reduces the number to be started in response to the satisfaction of several predetermined criteria. The predetermined criteria are related to the leaving chilled liquid temperature, the shutdown time for the chiller system and the last operating time period for the chiller system.
97 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for determining a number of compressors to start in a multiple compressor chiller system, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a multiple compressor chiller system having a predetermined number of compressors and a variable speed drive, the variable speed drive having a predetermined number of inverters, wherein each inverter is configured to power a corresponding motor of a compressor; designating a number of inverters to be enabled on startup of the multiple compressor chiller system, wherein the designated number of inverters to be enabled on startup being initially equal to the predetermined number of inverters, and wherein enabling of an inverter at startup of the multiple compressor chiller system starts a corresponding compressor; determining whether at least one predetermined criteria related to conditions of the multiple compressor chiller system is satisfied; and reducing the designated number of inverters to be enabled on startup by a predetermined amount in response to a determination that a predetermined criteria has been satisfied. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A multiple compressor chiller system comprising:
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a plurality of compressors, each compressor of the plurality of compressors being driven by a corresponding motor, the plurality of compressors being incorporated into at least one refrigerant circuit, each refrigerant circuit comprising at least one compressor of the plurality of compressors, a condenser arrangement and an evaporator arrangement connected in a closed refrigerant loop; a variable speed drive to power the corresponding motors of the plurality of compressors, the variable speed drive comprising a converter stage, a DC link stage and an inverter stage, the inverter stage having a plurality of inverters, each inverter being electrically connected in parallel to the DC link stage and each inverter powering a corresponding motor of the plurality of compressors; and a control panel comprising a microprocessor and a memory device storing at least one control program, the control panel being configured to determine a number of compressors of the plurality of compressors to start on a startup of the multiple compressor chiller system, the control panel comprising means for designating at least one compressor of the plurality of compressors as the number of compressors of the plurality of compressors to start, means for evaluating at least one predetermined criteria related to system conditions, and means for adjusting the number of compressors of the plurality of compressors to start by a predetermined amount in response to satisfying a predetermined criteria. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification