US 12,571,571 B2 · Magnetic bearing levitation control

Abstract

A vapor compression system and method for operating the vapor compression system are provided. The vapor compression system includes a compressor, a condenser, and at least one check valve disposed between the compressor and the condenser. The method provides for the transmitting of a shutdown command to the compressor, the compressor including a rotating shaft and a magnetic bearing, the magnetic bearing having an active mode and an inactive mode, the magnetic bearing levitating the rotating shaft in the active mode. The method further provides for the maintaining of the magnetic bearing in the active mode during a minimum time period, the magnetic bearing switching from the active mode to the inactive mode after the minimum time period is reached.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of operating a vapor compression system comprising a compressor, a condenser, and at least one check valve disposed between the condenser and the compressor, the method comprising:

transmitting a shutdown command to the compressor, the compressor comprising a rotating shaft and a magnetic bearing, the magnetic bearing comprising an active mode and an inactive mode, the magnetic bearing levitating the rotating shaft in the active mode;
and
maintaining the magnetic bearing in the active mode during a minimum time period, the magnetic bearing switching from the active mode to the inactive mode after the minimum time period is reached, wherein the minimum time period is determined automatically based on input from at least one speed sensor.

A vapor compression system comprising:

a condenser for transferring heat from a working fluid to an external fluid medium;
a compressor in fluid communication with the condenser, the compressor comprising:
an electric motor for driving a rotating shaft;
a magnetic bearing for levitating the rotating shaft when in an active mode, the magnetic bearing disposed adjacent to the electric motor;
and
a touchdown bearing configured to rotate and support the rotating shaft when the magnetic bearing is in an inactive mode, the touchdown bearing disposed directly adjacent to the rotating shaft;
a check valve in fluid communication with the condenser and the compressor;
and
a controller configured to control the compressor, the controller configured to receive a shutdown command for the compressor, wherein the controller maintains the magnetic bearing in the active mode during a minimum time period, the magnetic bearing switching from the active mode to the inactive mode after the minimum time period is reached, wherein the minimum time period is determined automatically based on input from at least one speed sensor.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Magnetic bearing levitation control

Life of this patent

Magnetic bearing levitation control

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20