Compressor Having A Control And Diagnostic Module

• US 20160226416A1
• Filed: 04/11/2016
• Published: 08/04/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Copeland Corporation LLC (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: PHAM, Hung M., ALSALEEM, Fadi M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,762,168 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 2203/0201 Current
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 2203/0202 Voltage
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 35/04 the means being electric
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/06 Control using electricity regulating by means of floats actuating electric switches F04B49/04
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/10 Other safety measures
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 18/02 of arcuate-engagement type, i.e. with circular translatory movement of co-operating members, each member having the same number of teeth or tooth-equivalents
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 18/0215 where only one member is moving
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2240/808 Electronic circuits (e.g. inverters) installed inside the machine
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2240/81 Sensor, e.g. electronic sensor for control or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/03 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/07 Electric current
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/19 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/22 Temperature difference
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/60 Prime mover parameters
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/80 Diagnostics
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/86 Detection
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/90 Remote control, e.g. wireless, via LAN, by radio, or by a wired connection from a central computer
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 28/28 Safety arrangements; Monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 29/0085 Prime movers
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 49/022 Compressor control arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/343 : in operation
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/64 : Testing of capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 25/04 : Single phase motors, e.g. capacitor motors

Abstract

A system and method includes a power supply that generates an alternating current power for powering a compressor with a capacitor, a voltage sensor that measures voltage values based on the alternating current power, a current sensor that measures current values based on the alternating current power, and a controller. The controller communicates with the voltage sensor and the current sensor, determines a power factor value based on at least one of the voltage values and at least one of the current values, and determines a fault in the capacitor based on the power factor and at least one of the current values.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

generating, with a power supply, an alternating current power for powering a compressor with a capacitor;

measuring, with a voltage sensor, a plurality of voltage values based on the alternating current power;

measuring, with a current sensor, a plurality of current values based on the alternating current power;

determining, with a controller in communication with the voltage sensor and the current sensor, a power factor value based on at least one of the plurality of voltage values and at least one of the plurality of current values;

determining, with the controller, a fault in the capacitor based on the power factor and at least one of the plurality of current values; and

communicating the fault in the capacitor from the controller to at least one of a user, a service person, a system controller, a remote server, a thermostat, a mobile device, and an email address.