Method and apparatus for acoustic attenuation in variable speed compressors
AssigneeCarrier Corporation
InventorRichard E. de la Rosa
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Radiant sound reduction is achieved in a variable speed compressor by bleeding a small amount of refrigerant into the oil sump for froth production. The refrigerant is bleed from the discharge of the compressor through a solenoid controlled valve which is opened to permit a bleed flow when the compressor is operating at or above a predetermined capacity/speed. This limits system efficiency losses and produces sound reduction only when it is needed.
Claims5
A method for acoustic attenuation of a variable speed compressor having a oil sump and located in an air conditioning system comprising the steps of:
- operating a variable speed compressor in an air conditioning system responsive to thermostatic demand in the system;
- responsive to an operating parameter of the variable speed compressor reaching a predetermined level, bleeding a portion of the discharge of the compressor into the oil sump of the compressor for froth generation and acoustic attenuation;
- continuing to bleed a portion of the discharge of the compressor into the oil sump as long as the operating parameter has reached the predetermined level;
- and
- ceasing bleeding a portion of the discharge of the compressor whenever the operating parameter is below the predetermined level.
An air conditioning system including a closed loop containing refrigerant and serially including variable speed compressor means, condenser means, expansion means, and evaporator means and being under the operative control of microprocessor means;
- said compressor means including a shell, with an oil sump, variable speed motor means and running gear means is said shell and being connected to said condenser means via a discharge line;
- bleed line means connected to said discharge line and extending into said oil sump;
- and
- valve means in said bleed line means responsive to an operating parameter of said compressor means whereby said valve means opens when said compressor means is operating at a predetermined level of said operating parameter to thereby cause a bleed flow to take place resulting in frothing as refrigerant is discharged into said oil sump which produces a resultant acoustic attenuation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.