Apparatus and method for controlling a magnetic bearing centrifugal chiller
US6463748B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 6, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 15, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 6, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25B2700/2117
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A control system and a method for controlling a centrifugal chiller through which a fluid to be chilled passes includes a chilling apparatus having at least one of each of the following components; an evaporator, a compressor, preferably a magnetic bearing compressor, a condenser and an expansion device. A plurality of sensors measure and generate signals representing operating conditions within the chilling apparatus. A chiller control unit including a signal processor receives the signals generated by the plurality of sensors. The chiller control unit further includes a memory device that stores information relating to thermodynamic properties of specific fluids and a comparison device programmed with a comparison algorithm that compares the received signals generated by the plurality of sensors to thermodynamic properties of the specific fluid contained in the memory device. Based on the comparison, the control unit generates at least one control signal to vary operation of one or more of the evaporator, compressor, condenser and expansion device to ensure the chiller system is operating at maximum efficiency.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.