Thermostat controller
OwnerKerron James Martininventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A refrigeration system (10) has a compressor (12), condensor (13) and evaporator (14) connected in a refrigeration circuit. A controller (16) has probes (19, 20) for sensing the temperatures of the evaporator (14) and condensor (13) respectively. The controller controls the operation of the compressor, and hence the refrigeration circuit, so that the compressor does not start unless the evaporator temperature is above a preselected value (Tstart), and stops the compressor if the evaporator temperature falls below Tdisable. An alarm (21) is activated if the condensor temperature rises above Talarm, and the controller (16) stops the compressor (12) if the condensor temperature rises above a higher temperature Tshutdown.
Claims19
A refrigeration system having
- a refrigeration mechanism for cooling an object, the refrigeration mechanism including a compressor, condensor and evaporator in a refrigeration circuit,
- a thermostat means for regulating the operation of the refrigeration mechanism in response to the temperature of the object, and
- wherein the refrigeration system further includes control means for controlling the refrigeration mechanism in response to the temperature of at least one component of the refrigeration mechanism, the control means overriding the normal operation of the thermostat means.
An electronic controller for a refrigeration system having a refrigeration mechanism for cooling an object, the refrigeration mechanism including a compressor, condenser and evaporator connected in a refrigeration circuit, the electronic controller including
- a thermostat for regulating the operation of the refrigeration circuit in response to the temperature of the object,
- at least one temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of at least one component of the refrigeration mechanism, and
- an electronic control circuit responsive to the sensed temperature of the component(s) for controlling the operation of the refrigeration mechanism, the electronic control circuit overriding the operation of the thermostat.
A method of operating a refrigeration system having a refrigeration mechanism for cooling an object, the refrigeration mechanism including a compressor, condensor and evaporator connected in a refrigeration circuit, the method including the steps of using a thermostat to regulate the operation of the refrigeration mechanism in response to the temperature of the object, and overriding the normal operation of the thermostat and controlling the operation of the refrigeration mechanism in response to the sensed temperature of at least one component of the refrigeration mechanism.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.