Multi-capacity compressor with variable speed drive and method of use
AssigneeRegal Beloit America, Inc.
InventorsLudovic Andre Chretien, Norman C. Golm
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for controlling a capacity of a motor-driven, multi-capacity compressor operable at each of a plurality of capacity levels. The system includes a controller configured to selectively couple the compressor to either a line-voltage terminal or a drive configured to control a speed of the motor. Embodiments of the controller can cause the compressor to operate in each of (1) a first mode, powered by the drive, and at a first capacity, (2) a second mode, powered by the line-voltage terminal, and at the first capacity, or (3) a third mode, powered by the line-voltage terminal, and at the second capacity.
Claims19
A system for controlling a capacity of a multi-capacity compressor operable at each of a plurality of capacity levels, the system comprising:
- a motor of the multi-capacity compressor;
- a drive configured to control a speed of the motor;
- a switch network coupled to a line-voltage source, the drive, and the multi-capacity compressor;
- and
- a controller configured to control the drive and the switch network, and configured to:
- selectively couple the multi-capacity compressor to either (a) the line-voltage source or (b) the drive;
- and
- selectively control the multi-capacity compressor to operate at each of:
- a first capacity to provide a first output power, or
- a second capacity to provide a second output power different than the first output power,
- wherein the selective coupling and the selective controlling cause the compressor to operate in each of:
- a first mode, powered by the drive, and at the first capacity,
- a second mode, powered by the line-voltage source, and at the first capacity, or
- a third mode, powered by the line-voltage source, and at the second capacity.
A heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system comprising:
- a multi-stage compressor operable at each of a plurality of capacity levels;
- a variable-voltage, variable-frequency drive coupled to a line-voltage source and configured to operate the multi-stage compressor at a variable speed, wherein the line voltage source is configured to provide an alternating current (AC) voltage;
- and
- a controller configured to:
- selectively couple the line-voltage source or the variable-voltage, variable-frequency drive to the multi-stage compressor to power the multi-stage compressor;
- and
- selectively control the multi-stage compressor to operate at each of:
- a first capacity to provide a first output power, or
- a second capacity to provide a second output power different than the first output power,
- wherein the selective coupling and the selective controlling cause the multi-stage compressor to operate in each of:
- a first mode, powered by the variable-voltage, variable-frequency drive, and at the first capacity,
- a second mode, powered by the line-voltage source, and at the first capacity, or
- a third mode, powered by the line-voltage source, and at the second capacity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.