Control device for refrigeration or air conditioning systems

• US 7,711,451 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2005
• Issued: 05/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Copeland Europe GmbH
• Original Assignee: Emerson Electric GmbH & Co. Ohg (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Nejad, Ali R., Kowanz, Bernd, Aue, Peter, Bersch, Hans-Jurgen
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel; Ramesh B
• Assistant Examiner(s): Garland; Steven R
• Application Number:
  US11/569,142
• Publication Number:
  US 20080282715A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,840 Days
• Field of Search: 700/276, 700/300, 700/278, 700/2, 621/59, 236/51, 712/32, 712/34, 712/36
• US Class Current: 700/276
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/54 using one central controller connected to several sub-controllers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/83 by controlling the supply of heat-exchange fluids to heat-exchangers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/84 using valves
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/21 Refrigerant outlet evaporator temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/2513 Expansion valves
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 41/34 with the valve member being actuated by electric means, e.g. by piezoelectric actuators
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 49/02 for compression type machines, plants or systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/70 Efficient control or regulation technologies, e.g. for control of refrigerant flow, motor or heating

Abstract

The invention relates to a control unit for a refrigeration or air conditioning device, comprising a main processor that is situated in a housing and that controls the temperature, fan and/or the defrosting process of a refrigeration or air conditioning device. Contact points for a co-processor, which is separate from the main processor and is suitable for controlling an electronic expansion valve, are located in said housing.

Claims

1. A control system for an air conditioning or refrigeration unit, comprising:

a control device housing;

a main processor provided inside the control device housing controlling at least one of a temperature, a fan, and a defrosting procedure of the air conditioning or refrigeration unit in dependence on respectively prevailing input values, and

contact points provided inside the control device housing for a coprocessor separate from the main processor, the contact points being associated with respective coprocessor input and output signals, with at least one contact point being provided for coprocessor input from at least one of temperature sensors and pressure sensors of a coolant circuit and one contact point being provided for a coprocessor output connected to an electronic expansion valve provided in the coolant circuit.

2. A control system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the main processor and the contact points for the coprocessor are provided on a common main board which is arranged inside the control device housing.

3. A control system in accordance with claim 1, wherein contact points for the coprocessor are connected to the main processor via data lines.

4. A control system for an air conditioning or refrigeration unit, comprising:

a control device housing;

a main processor provided inside the control device housing controlling of at least one of a temperature, a fan and a defrosting procedure of an air conditioning or refrigeration unit in dependence on respectively prevailing input values,

contact points provided inside the control device housing for a coprocessor separate from the main processor, the contact points being associated with respective coprocessor input and output, with at least one contact point being provided for coprocessor input signals made available from at least one of temperature sensors and pressure sensors of a coolant circuit and one contact point being provided for a coprocessor output signal controlling an electronic expansion valve provided in the coolant circuit; and

a coprocessor coupled to the contact points.

5. A control system in accordance with claim 4, wherein the coprocessor is configurable via the main processor, with in particular coolant circuit parameters including at least one of overheating, suction pressure limitation and coolant type being preset by the main processor.

6. A control system in accordance with claim 4, wherein a common input medium is associated with the main processor and the coprocessor and programs which run both in the main processor and the coprocessor can be influenced by the common input medium.

7. A control system in accordance with claim 4, wherein a common data interface is associated with the main processor and the coprocessor which interface is accessible from outside of the housing and via which programs which run both in the main processor and the coprocessor can be influenced.

8. A control system in accordance with claim 4, wherein a common display medium is associated with the main processor and the coprocessor via which output signals of both the main processor and the coprocessor can be displayed.

9. A control system in accordance with claim 4, wherein the main processor and the contact points for the coprocessor are provided on a common main board which is arranged inside the control device housing.

10. A control system in accordance with claim 9, wherein the coprocessor is made as an integrated hybrid circuit or as a chip to be connected directly to the contact points of the common main board.

11. A control system in accordance with claim 9, wherein the coprocessor is arranged on a small board which is coupled to the main board via the contact points of the common main board.