Patent · US Active

Control scheme for coordinating variable capacity components of a refrigerant system

US7975495B2 · kind B2 · utility

37Cited by
8References
23Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 6, 2008
Grant dateJul 12, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 26, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF24F11/46
  • WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A refrigerant system adjusts, in a coordinated prioritized manner, the variable capacities of a compressor, evaporator fan and a condenser fan to minimize the system's overall power consumption while maintaining a comfort zone within a target comfort range. The target comfort range is defined by desired temperature and humidity limits. When the comfort zone is within the target comfort range, the system periodically attempts to reduce the compressor capacity. If the attempt succeeds, the evaporator fan capacity is then minimized. The condenser fan capacity can also be minimized provided the refrigerant system can maintain at least a minimum saturated suction temperature of the refrigerant flowing from the condenser to the compressor.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.