Compressor control in a vapor compression cooling cycle
AssigneeGarrett Transportation I Inc.
InventorJaroslav Pekar
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Controllers, system and methods for vapor cycle compressor speed management. A system having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator with a circulating refrigerant or refrigerant is managed. A compressor controller uses expansion valve position, a mass flow estimate, or a mass flow measurement to determine desired compressor speed.
Claims20
A motor controller for a compressor in a vapor cycle system having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve having an expansion valve position sensor, and an evaporator and including a plurality of temperature and pressure sensors, the motor controller configured to perform a method comprising:
- receiving a measured expansion valve position signal;
- comparing the expansion valve signal to a target expansion valve position signal to determine a expansion valve position delta;
- analyzing the expansion valve position delta to determine a first target speed for the compressor;
- analyzing at least a mass flow signal and one or more surge limitations on the compressor, and calculating an adjusted the first target speed for the compressor to prevent compressor surge;
- and
- issuing control signals to the compressor to operate at the adjusted first target speed.
A motor controller for a compressor in a vapor cycle system having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator and including a plurality of temperature and pressure sensors, the motor controller configured to perform a method comprising:
- receiving a mass flow signal indicating mass flow of circulating refrigerant from the evaporator to the compressor;
- comparing the mass flow signal to a target mass flow to determine a mass flow delta;
- analyzing the mass flow delta to determine a first target speed for the compressor;
- analyzing the mass flow signal and one or more surge limitations on the compressor, and calculating an adjusted first target speed for the compressor to prevent compressor surge;
- and
- issuing control signals to the compressor to operate at the adjusted first target speed.
A method of controlling a compressor motor in a vapor cycle system having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve having an expansion valve position sensor, and an evaporator and including a plurality of temperature and pressure sensors, the method comprising:
- receiving an expansion valve position signal from the expansion valve position sensor;
- comparing the expansion valve position signal to a target value to determine an expansion valve position delta;
- analyzing the expansion valve position delta to determine a first target speed for the compressor;
- analyzing at least a mass flow signal and one or more surge limitations on the compressor, and calculating an adjusted first target speed for the compressor to prevent compressor surge;
- and
- issuing control signals to the compressor to operate at the adjusted first target speed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.