Apparatus for controlling refrigerant feed rate in a refrigeration system
AssigneeEmerson Electric Co.
InventorJoseph L. Behr
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for controlling the operation of a refrigeration system, for example, is provided which includes a first sensor for monitoring the sump temperature of a compressor used in conjunction with the refrigeration system, and a second sensor which monitors compressor ambient air temperature. The refrigeration system includes an electrically operable expansion valve and the sensors are employed in a control device operatively connected to the electrically controlled expansion valve to control the operating position of that valve. Refrigeration system operation can be controlled precisely, thereby maximizing the efficiency of the system, by monitoring the sump temperature and ambient temperature of the compressor.
Claims10
In a refrigeration system including a compressor, a first coil operatively connected to said compressor, a second coil operatively connected to said first coil and to said compressor, and an electrically operable expansion valve connected between said first and said second coils, said expansion valve including electrically energizable means for controlling the position of said valve, the improvement which comprises means for controlling the electrical input to said electrically operable expansion valve, said control means including means for sensing the sump temperature of said compressor, means for sensing the ambient air temperature affecting said compressor, and means, responsive to said ambient air and sump temperature sensing means for regulating the electrical input to said electrically energizable means.
A refrigeration system and control therefor, comprising:
- a compressor including a sump;
- a first coil operatively connected to said compressor;
- a second coil operatively connected to said compressor;
- an electrically operable expansion valve between said first and said second coils, said expansion valve including electrically energizable means for controlling the position of said valve;
- means for sensing the temperature at the sump of said compressor;
- means for sensing the temperature of the ambient air;
- and
- means responsive to a signal generated by said sump and said ambient temperature sensing means for controlling the electrical input to said electrically operable expansion valve.
A system and control means therefor, comprising:
- a compressor including a sump;
- a first coil operatively connected to said compressor;
- a second coil operatively connected to said compressor;
- an electrically operable expansion valve connected between said first and said second coils, said expansion valve including electrically energizable means for controlling position of said valve;
- and
- control means for controlling the electrical input to the electrically energizable means of said expansion valve, said control means including summing means having at least two inputs and one output, first temperature sensor means connected between the sump of said compressor and said first input, second temperature sensor means connected between the ambient surroundings of said compressor and said second input, and amplifier means electrically connected between the output of said summing means and the electrically energizable means of said expansion valve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.