Compressor with level sensor
AssigneeHaier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
InventorsStuart Phillips, Jeffrey Allen Tupis, Timothy Johnson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A compressor includes a housing defining a sump for collecting lubricant. A pump is positioned within the housing for circulating the lubricant. The pump includes a lubricant intake tube defining a pump inlet positioned within the sump. The compressor also includes a measurement device. A controller of the compressor may be configured for, and/or a method of operating the compressor may include, operating the compressor to increase the pressure and temperature of a refrigerant and detecting, with the measurement device, a position of the compressor while operating the compressor. In response to the detected position of the compressor, the compressor may be deactivated.
Claims18
A compressor, the compressor comprising:
- a housing defining a sump for collecting lubricant;
- a pump for circulating the lubricant within the housing, the pump comprising a lubricant intake tube defining a pump inlet positioned within the sump;
- a measurement device;
- and
- a controller in operative communication with the measurement device, the controller configured for:
- operating the compressor to increase pressure and temperature of a refrigerant;
- detecting, with the measurement device, a position of the compressor while operating the compressor;
- and
- deactivating the compressor in response to the detected position of the compressor.
A method of operating a compressor, the compressor comprising a housing defining a sump for collecting lubricant, a pump for circulating the lubricant within the housing, the pump comprising a lubricant intake tube defining a pump inlet positioned within the sump, and a measurement device, the method comprising:
- operating the compressor to increase pressure and temperature of a refrigerant;
- detecting, with the measurement device, a position of the compressor while operating the compressor;
- and
- deactivating the compressor in response to the detected position of the compressor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.