Chiller sound reduction control system and method
First Claim
1. A method of providing sound control for a vapor compression system, the method comprising:
- providing a compressor, a condenser, and at least one condenser fan;
executing a control algorithm to control an operating speed of the compressor and an operating parameter of the at least one condenser fan;
determining receipt of a sound control signal, receipt of the sound control signal initiating a reduced sound control program, the reduced sound control program comprising;
determining a maximum compressor operating speed in response to the sound control signal, the maximum compressor operating speed being variable based on a value of the sound control signal;
determining a maximum condenser fan operating parameter in response to the sound control signal, the maximum condenser fan operating parameter being variable based on a value of the sound control signal;
determining an operating speed of the compressor;
determining an operating parameter of the at least one condenser fan;
overriding the control algorithm in response to at least one of the determined operating speed of the compressor being greater than the maximum compressor operating speed or the determined operating parameter of the at least one condenser fan being greater than the maximum condenser fan operating parameter, overriding the control algorithm comprising at least one of;
controllably reducing the operating speed of the compressor controlled by the control algorithm to a speed less than or equal to the maximum compressor operating speed;
orcontrollably altering an operating configuration of the at least one condenser fan; and
controlling an operating speed of the compressor and an operating parameter of the at least one condenser fan with the control algorithm in response to the determined operating speed of the compressor being less than the maximum compressor operating speed and the determined operating parameter of the at least one condenser fan being less than the maximum condenser fan operating parameter.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A noise control method is provided for a cooling system having at least one refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant circuit includes a compressor, a condenser, at least one condenser fan, and an evaporator. Noise control is only performed periodically in response to requirements for reduced operation at predetermined times. The request for reduced noise triggers the commencement of the noise control method. The noise control method involves reducing the operating speed of the compressor, as well as reducing the operating speed of at least one condenser fan, to within a predetermined range of allowable reduced operating speeds. The noise control method temporarily overrides the ability of the cooling system to fully respond to increased cooling or heating demands. When the noise control method is terminated, such as by the end of the stated period of time requiring reduced noise generation, the system is restored to normal operation, and remains fully responsive to cooling and heating demand until commencement of the next period of reduced noise requirements.
57 Citations
23 Claims
-
1. A method of providing sound control for a vapor compression system, the method comprising:
-
providing a compressor, a condenser, and at least one condenser fan; executing a control algorithm to control an operating speed of the compressor and an operating parameter of the at least one condenser fan; determining receipt of a sound control signal, receipt of the sound control signal initiating a reduced sound control program, the reduced sound control program comprising; determining a maximum compressor operating speed in response to the sound control signal, the maximum compressor operating speed being variable based on a value of the sound control signal; determining a maximum condenser fan operating parameter in response to the sound control signal, the maximum condenser fan operating parameter being variable based on a value of the sound control signal; determining an operating speed of the compressor; determining an operating parameter of the at least one condenser fan; overriding the control algorithm in response to at least one of the determined operating speed of the compressor being greater than the maximum compressor operating speed or the determined operating parameter of the at least one condenser fan being greater than the maximum condenser fan operating parameter, overriding the control algorithm comprising at least one of; controllably reducing the operating speed of the compressor controlled by the control algorithm to a speed less than or equal to the maximum compressor operating speed;
orcontrollably altering an operating configuration of the at least one condenser fan; and controlling an operating speed of the compressor and an operating parameter of the at least one condenser fan with the control algorithm in response to the determined operating speed of the compressor being less than the maximum compressor operating speed and the determined operating parameter of the at least one condenser fan being less than the maximum condenser fan operating parameter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A method of providing sound control in a chiller system having a compressor, a condenser, and at least one condenser fan, the method comprising:
-
determining whether a sound control signal is received by a control panel; assigning a maximum operating speed for the compressor responsive to the sound control signal, the maximum operating speed being variable based on a value of the sound control signal; assigning a maximum operating parameter for the at least one condenser fan responsive to the sound control signal, the maximum operating parameter being variable based on a value of the control signal; determining whether the compressor and the at least one condenser fan are operating within corresponding permissible ranges, wherein the corresponding permissible range for the compressor has an upper limit corresponding to maximum operating speed and the corresponding permissible range for the at least one condenser fan has an upper limit corresponding to the maximum operating parameter; adjusting at least one of the speed of the compressor to within the corresponding permissible range or the operating parameter of the at least one condenser fan to within the corresponding permissible range responsive to the determination that the compressor or the at least one condenser fan are operating outside the corresponding permissible range; controlling an operating speed of the compressor and an operating parameter of the at least one condenser fan with a control algorithm for the chiller system in response to the determination that the compressor and the at least one condenser fan are operating inside the corresponding permissible range; and wherein the step of adjusting operates to reduce sound generated by the chiller system. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A system comprising:
-
a control panel, a compressor, a condenser, at least one condenser fan, and an evaporator; the control panel being configured to receive a sound control signal, the sound control signal being configured to initiate a reduced sound control mode of operation; a sensor to measure an operating speed of the compressor; the control panel being configured to controllably reduce the operating speed of the compressor to below a maximum operating speed with the reduced sound control mode of operation in response to the measured operating speed of the compressor being greater than the maximum operating speed;
the maximum operating speed being variable based on a value of the sound control signal;a sensor to measure an operating parameter of at least one condenser fan; the control panel being configured to controllably alter an operating parameter of the at least one condenser fan with the reduced sound control mode of operation responsive to the sound control signal; the control panel being configured to control an operating speed of the compressor and an operating parameter of the at least one condenser fan with a control algorithm for the system in response to the measured operating speed of the compressor being less than the maximum operating speed. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
Specification