Abstract:
A sensor module for a compressor having an electric motor connected to a power supply and a processor disposed within an electrical enclosure of the compressor is provided, with the electrical enclosure being configured to house electrical terminals for connecting the power supply to the electric motor. The sensor module includes a first input connected to a voltage sensor that generates a voltage signal corresponding to a voltage of the power supply and a second input connected to a current sensor that generates a current signal corresponding to a current of the power supply. The processor is connected to the first and second inputs. The processor may calculate a power factor of the compressor, detect an unexpected variation in the power supply, and/or detect a mechanical malfunction of the compressor based on the voltage measurements and the current measurements.
Abstract:
A vapor-compression circuit may be used to meet the temperature/load demands for conditioning one or more spaces. Excess heat generated in the vapor-compression circuit may be utilized to generate an electric current that may power other components of the vapor-compression circuit. A thermoelectric device may be placed in heat-transferring contact with the excess heat and generate the electrical current. The electric current generated may be used to power another thermoelectric device to provide further cooling or heating of a fluid in heat-transferring relation therewith to supplement the vapor-compression circuit and the conditioning of the space.
Abstract:
A compressor monitoring system includes current and voltage monitors, current and voltage averaging modules, a control module, and a switch. The current monitor measures a current drawn by a motor of a compressor. The current averaging module generates first and second average current values based on the current measured by the current monitor. The voltage monitor measures a utility power voltage. The voltage averaging module generates first and second average voltage values based on the voltage measured by the voltage monitor. The control module selectively generates a fault signal when a first ratio is greater than a first predetermined threshold and a second ratio is less than a second predetermined threshold. The first ratio is based on the first and second average current values. The second ratio is based on the first and second average voltage values. The switch deactivates the motor when the fault signal is generated.
Abstract:
A sensor module for a compressor, having an electric motor operating at a first voltage, the sensor module operating at a second voltage, is provided. The sensor module includes a plurality of inputs connected to a plurality of sensors that generate a plurality of operating signals associated with operating conditions of the compressor. A processor is connected to the plurality of inputs and records multiple operating condition measurements from the plurality of operating signals. A communication port is connected to the processor for communicating said operating condition measurements to a control module that controls the compressor. The processor is disposed within an electrical enclosure of the compressor, the electrical enclosure being configured to house electrical terminals for connecting a power supply to the electric motor. The second voltage is less than said first voltage.
Abstract:
A compressor includes a shell, a compression mechanism, a motor, a data module, and a compressor controller. The data module includes a processor and a memory. The compressor controller includes a processor and a memory. The data module receives sensed data, stores sensed data in the memory, and communicates sensed data to the compressor controller. The compressor controller controls a capacity of the compressor based on the sensed data and is operable to communicate with a system controller of a refrigeration system.
Abstract:
A compressor monitoring system includes current and voltage monitors, current and voltage averaging modules, a control module, and a switch. The current monitor measures a current drawn by a motor of a compressor. The current averaging module generates first and second average current values based on the current measured by the current monitor. The voltage monitor measures a utility power voltage. The voltage averaging module generates first and second average voltage values based on the voltage measured by the voltage monitor. The control module selectively generates a fault signal when a first ratio is greater than a first predetermined threshold and a second ratio is less than a second predetermined threshold. The first ratio is based on the first and second average current values. The second ratio is based on the first and second average voltage values. The switch deactivates the motor when the fault signal is generated.
Abstract:
A compressor is provided and may include a shell, a compression mechanism, a motor, and a diagnostic system that determines a system condition. The diagnostic system may include a processor and a memory and may predict a severity level of the system condition based on at least one of a sequence of historical-fault events and a combination of the types of the historical-fault events.
Abstract:
A compressor monitoring system includes current and voltage monitors, current and voltage averaging modules, a control module, and a switch. The current monitor measures a current drawn by a motor of a compressor. The current averaging module generates first and second average current values based on the current measured by the current monitor. The voltage monitor measures a utility power voltage. The voltage averaging module generates first and second average voltage values based on the voltage measured by the voltage monitor. The control module selectively generates a fault signal when a first ratio is greater than a first predetermined threshold and a second ratio is less than a second predetermined threshold. The first ratio is based on the first and second average current values. The second ratio is based on the first and second average voltage values. The switch deactivates the motor when the fault signal is generated.