Method of operating an electronic expansion valve in an air conditioner unit

An air conditioner unit comprising:

• a refrigeration loop comprising an indoor heat exchanger and an outdoor heat exchanger;
• a compressor operably coupled to the refrigeration loop and being configured to urge refrigerant through the refrigeration loop;
• an electronic expansion valve fluidly coupled to the refrigeration loop;
• and
• a controller operably coupled to the compressor and the electronic expansion valve, the controller being configured to:
• perform an operating cycle in a feedback control mode, the feedback control mode comprising adjusting the electronic expansion valve to minimize an error between a measured superheat and a target superheat;
• determine that a target compressor speed has changed by greater than a predetermined speed threshold;
• initiate a linear control mode of the operating cycle, the linear control mode comprising adjusting the electronic expansion valve using a valve position equation that is a function of the target compressor speed, an indoor temperature, and an outdoor temperature;
• start a transition timer upon initiation of the linear control mode;
• and
• transition back into the feedback control mode upon expiration of the transition timer.

A method of operating an air conditioner unit, the air conditioner unit comprising a refrigeration loop comprising an indoor heat exchanger and an outdoor heat exchanger, a compressor operably coupled to the refrigeration loop and being configured to urge refrigerant through the refrigeration loop, and an electronic expansion valve fluidly coupled to the refrigeration loop, the method comprising:

• performing an operating cycle in a linear control mode, the linear control mode comprising adjusting the electronic expansion valve using a valve position equation that is a function of a target compressor speed, an indoor temperature, and an outdoor temperature;
• starting a transition timer upon initiation of the linear control mode;
• and
• transitioning into a feedback control mode upon expiration of the transition timer, the feedback control mode comprising adjusting the electronic expansion valve to minimize an error between a measured superheat and a target superheat.