Responsive To Pump Lubricant, Sealant, Or Coolant Condition Patents (Class 417/13)
  • Patent number: 11603839
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a scroll compressor with a simple configuration which is capable of preventing the occurrence of noise induced due to compressed air remaining in a discharge pipe flow backward and an orbiting scroll rotating reversely when stopping the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhijia Ren, Yoshiyuki Kanemoto
  • Patent number: 11098726
    Abstract: A system and modular compressor for raising the pressure in production gas is disclosed, wherein in a set of compressor modules each second module is a rotor module carrying an impeller driven in rotation relative to an adjacent stationary module, a rotor module and a stationary module in combination providing a compressor stage in which production gas is accelerated through a flow duct that passes an interface between the rotor module and the stationary module, wherein at the interface at least one bearing for axial and/or radial load is provided for journaling the rotor module on the stationary module. The at least one bearing is a gas bearing, wherein a passage is arranged in the stationary module to lead an extracted portion of production gas at raised pressure from the compressor to the gas bearing(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: VETCO GRAY SCANDINAVIA AS
    Inventors: Giacomo Landi, Lorenzo Bergamini, Dante Tommaso Rubino, Erik Mele, Michael Catanzaro
  • Patent number: 11085354
    Abstract: A control method for an integrated thermal management system of a vehicle includes: comparing an engine coolant temperature with a predetermined first set temperature after vehicle start; when the engine coolant temperature is greater than the first set temperature, comparing an ambient temperature with a set ambient temperature and comparing an air conditioner refrigerant pressure with a set pressure; and when the ambient temperature is greater than the set ambient temperature and the air conditioner refrigerant pressure is greater than the set pressure, controlling opening and closing operations of an integrated flow control valve based on the air conditioner refrigerant pressure so as to increase a flow rate of coolant that is supplied to a radiator through the integrated flow control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jang Hyo Lee
  • Patent number: 10907628
    Abstract: An inverter is disposed at a position on the upstream side relative to a compression mechanism along the flow of a refrigerant and the position cooled by the refrigerant. A motor is disposed at a position heated by the refrigerant compressed by the compression mechanism. A control device changes an upper limit value of a driving current supplied to the motor on the basis of at least one of first information relating to the temperature of the motor or second information relating to the temperature of the inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koji Sakai
  • Patent number: 10895172
    Abstract: A power plant and method for preserving a power plant, the power plant having a steam turbine with a shaft, further including a condenser mounted downstream of the steam turbine in the direction of flow of the steam, a vacuum pump mounted downstream of the condenser, a compressed steam system with shaft seals, and a compressed steam supply line extending into the shaft seals; a first nitrogen line extends into the condenser, and a second nitrogen line as well as a recirculation line that branches off the vacuum pump extend into the compressed steam supply line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Uwe Juretzek, Michael Rziha, Edwin Gobrecht, Michael Schöttler
  • Patent number: 10563663
    Abstract: Systems and method for operating a gas compressor are disclosed herein. A compressor can have one or more dry gas seals surrounding the central axle of the compressor. The dry gas seals can each be pressurized with a barrier gas or other fluid supply providing a barrier within the dry gas seal. The method can include controlling delivery of a first barrier gas to the one or more dry seals during a startup or initiation of the compressor. The method can include controlling delivery of a second barrier gas different from the first barrier gas to the one or more dry seals based on the information received from sensors disposed within the compressor that can measure, inter alia, dry seal temperature and pressure within the system. The method can further include terminating the delivery of the first barrier gas based on the sensor information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Solar Turbines Incorporated
    Inventors: Sean Garceau, Rainer Kurz, Donghui Zhang
  • Patent number: 10550844
    Abstract: Method for preventing condensate in the oil of an oil-injected compressor (1), characterised in that before the compressor element (2) is stopped, when the maximum pressure (pmax) in the consumer network (16) has been reached, the compressor element continues to be driven until the temperature (T) of the oil or the compressed gas is lower than a set fixed or calculated minimum value (Tmin) above which there is no or as little condensate as possible in the oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: ATLAS COPCO AIRPOWER N.V.
    Inventors: Joeri Coeckelbergs, Kenneth Alexander De Vocht, Andries Jan F. Desiron
  • Patent number: 10393115
    Abstract: A submersible fluid system for operating submersed in a body of water includes an electric machine and a fluid-end. The fluid-end includes a fluid-end housing having an inlet to a fluid rotor, the fluid rotor coupled to the electric machine and carried to rotate in the housing by a bearing in the housing. A fluid separator system receives a multiphase fluid and communicates a flow of the fluid to the inlet and a substantially liquid flow extracted from the multiphase fluid to the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher E. Cunningham, Co Si Huynh
  • Patent number: 10260513
    Abstract: An RPM of a compressor is sensed by an RPM meter, and a sound velocity of an inlet gas sucked into the compressor is sensed by a sound velocity meter. A corrected RPM computation unit finds a corrected RPM of the compressor using a reference state quantity determined by a reference specific heat ratio, a reference gas constant, and a reference temperature of the inlet gas; the RPM sensed by the RPM meter, and the sound velocity sensed by the sound velocity meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Ryo Higashi
  • Patent number: 10161410
    Abstract: A seal bracket assembly includes a coupling member having: a first end for sealingly engaging a pump; an opposite second end for sealingly engaging a source of rotary force; a passage defined therein which extends between the first and second ends which is structured to accommodate therein a linkage coupling an output shaft of the source of rotary force and an input shaft of the pump; and a drain port defined in the coupling member which extends between the passage and an outer surface of the coupling member. The assembly further includes an air tank which defines an air space of a predetermined volume therein and includes and an inlet, coupled to the drain port such that the passage and the air space are in fluid communication with each other, and an outlet, which is the only opening to the surrounding environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: GEIGER PUMP & EQUIPMENT
    Inventors: Henry Peck, Kerri Murphy, Rebekah Macko
  • Patent number: 9631465
    Abstract: A method for maintaining a downhole pump impeller of a geothermal downhole pump includes locating a line shaft to a selected depth, monitoring the depth of a lowermost distal end of the line shaft using a monitor positioned at a lowermost distal end of the line shaft, determining that the depth of the lowermost distal end of the line shaft has significantly changed, and taking a corrective action to return the depth of the lowermost distal end of the line shaft to the selected depth. The depth of the lowermost distal end is monitored by directing a beam of light emitted from a housing mounted on a outer portion of the downhole pump onto a plurality of reflective elements located on the line shaft distal end, and determining whether a receiver mounted in the outer portion receives light reflected from one of the plurality of reflective elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: ORMAT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Nadav Amir
  • Patent number: 9382921
    Abstract: System for control of a subsea located compressor fluidly connected to receive an inlet flow of gas through an inlet line, said flow may include liquid in an amount that may vary. The control system comprises a sensor means for measuring and determining the liquid droplet size distribution and liquid volume fraction, operatively arranged to the inlet line, and a control means operatively connected to the sensor means for operation of the control means based on input from the sensor means. Method for control of a subsea located compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Aker Subsea AS
    Inventors: Klas Goran Eriksson, Geir Inge Olsen, Kjell Olav Stinessen
  • Patent number: 9341187
    Abstract: A compressor may include a shell, a compression mechanism, first and second temperature sensors, and a control module. The shell may define a lubricant sump. The compression mechanism may be disposed within the shell and may be operable to compress a working fluid. The first temperature sensor may be at least partially disposed within the shell at a first position. The second temperature sensor may be at least partially disposed within the shell at a second position that is vertically higher than the first position. The control module may be in communication with the first and second temperature sensors and the pressure sensor and may determine whether a liquid level in the lubricant sump is below a predetermined level based on data received from the first and second temperature sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Troy R. Brostrom, Sunil S. Kulkarni, Ronald L. Van Hoose
  • Patent number: 8790089
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for controlling the speed of the compressor to ensure adequate lubrication oil is provided to the components of the compressor. During operation of a capacity control program for the compressor, a preselected operating parameter of the compressor or motor drive is measured. The measured preselected operating parameter is compared to a preselected range for the operating parameter. If the measured preselected operating parameter is not within the preselected range, the output frequency of the capacity control program can be increased to provide proper lubrication for the components of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Bristol Compressors International, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Moody, Eugene K. Chumley, Jerry D. Edwards, Tim M. Wampler, John W. Tolbert, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8708661
    Abstract: A compression device includes a controller to control an operating speed of a compressor based on a detected level of oil in an oil storage area. During a speed-change operation, the controller controls acceleration of the compressor to maintain the oil level within a predetermined range when the oil level is detected to be outside the predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yunhi Lee, Jangwoo Lee, Seungjun Lee
  • Patent number: 8672642
    Abstract: A system and method for starting a compressor is provided. An amount of liquid refrigerant that is located in an oil sump of the compressor is determined. Using the determined amount of liquid refrigerant, a starting algorithm for the compressor is selected. The selected starting algorithm is configured to remove the determined amount of liquid refrigerant from the oil sump before the compressor reaches a preselected operating speed. The selected starting algorithm is then executed to start the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Bristol Compressors International, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Tolbert, Jr., Bruce A. Moody, Eugene K. Chumley, Richard C. Denzau, Jerry D. Edwards, David R. Gilliam, Scott Hix, Justin M. Toner, Mark R. Trent, Tim M. Wampler, John R. Williams
  • Publication number: 20130330205
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and techniques for structuring, operating, and/or controlling a variable fluid flow system of a machine are provided. In various embodiments, a supplemental pump and/or an electric motor can be leveraged in combination with the existing components of a machine, such as the main fluid pump of the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: RPM Industries, LLC
    Inventors: John K. Apostolides, John J. McCosby, Carl Preston Shaffer
  • Patent number: 8483898
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a clutch set, a tank with fluid, an auxiliary battery, an electric fuel pump, and a controller. The electric fluid pump delivers some of the fluid from the tank to a designated oncoming clutch of the clutch set. The controller calculates a predicted flow value for the oncoming clutch during the shift event, and selectively controls the speed of the pump using the predicted flow value during the shift event. The controller controls the pump using an actual flow value when the vehicle is not executing a shift event, i.e., when holding torque. The speed of the electric fluid pump is increased to a first calculated speed determined using the predicted flow value when the shift event is initiated and before filling of the oncoming clutch commences, and is reduced to a second calculated speed determined using the actual flow value when the shift event is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ali K. Naqvi, Jy-Jen F. Sah
  • Publication number: 20130136622
    Abstract: A compression device includes a first compressor and a second compressor mounted in parallel, each compressor including a leakproof enclosure including a low pressure portion containing a motor and an oil sump, an oil level equalization conduit putting into communication the oil sumps of the first and second compressors, and control means adapted for controlling the starting and the stopping of the first and second compressors. The first compressor includes first detection means coupled with the control means and adapted for detecting an oil level in the oil sump of the first compressor. The control means are adapted for controlling the stopping of the second compressor when the oil level detected by the first detection means falls below a first predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: DANFOSS COMMERCIAL COMPRESSORS
    Inventor: Danfoss Commercial Compressors
  • Publication number: 20130028751
    Abstract: A geared cooling device and method of manufacturing a geared cooling device. The cooling device includes a fan shaft, a fan coupled to the fan shaft and a speed adjuster coupled to a motor shaft of a motor and coupled to the fan shaft. The speed adjuster adjusts a rotational speed of the fan shaft to cause the fan shaft to rotate at a different rotational speed than the motor shaft to facilitate passing cooling air past the motor. The method of manufacturing includes coupling the speed adjuster to the motor shaft and to the fan shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Mandar Ranganath Rai, Sreeramachandra Ragidimilli, Sachin Vitthal Mahajan
  • Publication number: 20120288377
    Abstract: A fan cooling system and method are provided to control fan speed for cooling vehicle motor components while minimizing power consumption by the fan and reducing engine fuel consumption for an engine partially powering the fan. The fan cooling system raises engine coolant temperature of a vehicle in motion to derive a fan speed demand so that fan speed may be reduced. The fan cooling system selects a maximum fan speed demand from one or more fan speed demands to command fan speed based on various sensed inputs, including engine coolant temperatures. The fan cooling system also improves cooling efficiency by incorporating slipheat protection for the fan so as not to overdrive the fan for cooling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Brian A. HARTMAN, Jeffrey A. KOTH, Daniel Alan MOREY, Alessandro CARNEVALI
  • Patent number: 8202057
    Abstract: An oil-free scroll compressor prevents wraps from being broken and provides improved reliability. The oil-free scroll compressor includes an orbiting scroll member and fixed scroll members, and has compression channels into which water is injected each formed between the intake port and exhaust port provided in the fixed scroll member. The oil-free scroll compressor includes temperature sensors each of which detects temperature in the compression channel, regulating valves each of which controls ratio of the amount of the water to be injected into the respective compression channels to the total amount of the water to be injected into the compression channels, and controller which controls the opening degrees of the regulating valves such that a difference between the detected temperatures from the compression channels is small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirokatsu Kohsokabe, Hirotaka Kameya, Kazuaki Shiinoki, Toshiaki Yabe
  • Patent number: 8177521
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and controlling oil return to a compressor, characterized by monitoring and controlling oil level, oil temperature, and compressor outlet pressure, so as to determine whether the oil level is lower than a predetermined level threshold, whether the temperature in the lubricating oil box is lower than a predetermined temperature threshold, and whether the compressor outlet pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure threshold, so as to control the flow of lubricating oil returned to the oil box by controlling the valve opening of the oil return valve according to a non-segmentation principle or a segmentation principle, ensure sufficient lubricating oil in the oil box, and enhance efficiency of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chun-Han Chen, Chung-Ping Chiang, Ching-Fu Chen, Yun-Jui Chung, Yen-Chieh Wang
  • Patent number: 8170762
    Abstract: A method for controlling a hydraulic flow within a powertrain comprising an electromechanical transmission mechanically-operatively coupled to an engine adapted to selectively transmit power to an output, wherein the transmission utilizes a hydraulic control system serving a number of hydraulic oil consuming functions includes monitoring minimum hydraulic pressure requirements for each of the functions, determining a requested hydraulic pressure based upon the monitoring minimum hydraulic pressure requirements and physical limits of the hydraulic control system including a maximum pressure, determining a desired flow utilizing a hydraulic control system flow model based upon the requested hydraulic pressure, and utilizing the desired flow to control an auxiliary hydraulic pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael D. Foster, Eric S. Tryon, Jy-Jen F. Sah, Ali K Naqvi
  • Patent number: 8167577
    Abstract: A fuel pump device includes a fuel pump in which pressure-generating components in the form of a movable piston movable through a cylinder in the fuel pump together are operable to pressurize the fuel in a chamber exposed to the components to high pressure. To prevent the clearance between the pressure-generating components from increasing with increased heating of the fuel pump and to maintain a predetermined clearance between the piston and the surrounding cylinder, a temperature-regulator maintains a temperature within a predetermined temperature range in a region of the fuel pump which includes the clearance and at least portions of the pressure-generating components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Scania CV AB (Publ)
    Inventor: Vesa Hokkanen
  • Patent number: 8046126
    Abstract: The start control is repeatedly performed for an oil pump that pressure feeds the flow of oil in a motor cooling system. This control is repeated for every specified rise in motor temperature (e.g., every 10° C.) from an initial starting temperature. This arrangement increases the potential for a successful start-up of the oil pump even when the oil has a high viscosity due to a relatively low outside air temperature. In the event of a failed start-up of the oil pump by repeated starting, the start control determines an abnormality exists in the oil pump or its power supply if an outside air temperature is greater than a reference temperature. This arrangement effectively eliminates incorrect detection of an abnormality in the oil pump or its power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Aw Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Yanagida, Tetsuhiro Tsuchie
  • Patent number: 8021125
    Abstract: A hermetic compressor includes a housing accommodating a motor and a compressing mechanism driven by the motor, refrigerating machine oil, which is pooled in the housing, for lubricating the compressing mechanism, refrigerant gas sealed into the housing and to be refrigerant forming a refrigerating cycle, and an oil surface sensor including a thermistor having a given length. A part of the oil surface sensor is impregnated into the refrigerating machine oil, and the sensor senses a temperature immediately after energizing the thermistor and a rate of change in temperature onward, so that a position of an oil surface is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Akio Uratani
  • Publication number: 20110211973
    Abstract: A compression device includes a controller to control an operating speed of a compressor based on a detected level of oil in an oil storage area. During a speed-change operation, the controller controls acceleration of the compressor to maintain the oil level within a predetermined range when the oil level is detected to be outside the predetermined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Yunhi LEE, Jangwoo Lee, Seungjun Lee
  • Patent number: 7959414
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a control system for protection against breakage of the lubricating-oil film in the bearings of hermetic compressors, as well as to a control method that has the objective of guaranteeing that a variable-capacity compressor should be maintained above a minimum rotation in order to prevent the oil film close to the respective bearing from breaking. One of the forms of achieving the objectives of the present invention is by means of a control system for protection against break of the lubricating-oil film in bearings of hermetic compressors, a microprocessor (10) actuating a set of switches (SW2M) selectively, so as to generate a rotation at the motor-compressor assembly (20, 21), the compressor (21) having a minimum rotation (RPMmin) of the compressor (21) so that the oil film will not be broken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool S.A.
    Inventors: Marcos Guilherme Schwarz, Roberto Andrich, Fabio Henrique Klein
  • Publication number: 20110081254
    Abstract: A compressor (2) for a refrigeration cycle according to the invention comprises an inlet port (6), a compression element (10), an outlet port (18), wherein in operation a refrigerant flow (20) of a gaseous refrigerant carrying an amount of oil circulates through the inlet port (6), the compression element (10) and the outlet port (18), and an oil sump (8) in which part of the oil carried by the gaseous refrigerant collects. An oil circulation rate enhancement feature (16) is provided being configured so as to direct oil from the oil sump (8) to the refrigerant flow (20), when the oil in the oil sump (8) exceeds a predetermined oil sump level (24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Markus Hafkemeyer, Tobias H. Sienel
  • Publication number: 20110056226
    Abstract: Disclosed is a motor control apparatus for controlling a synchronous motor, which includes a receiver section for receiving the value detected by a temperature sensor installed inside the synchronous motor. The synchronous motor is started up with the current fed into it, whose magnitude is changed in accordance with the temperature received by the receiver section at the time of starting up the synchronous motor. In this way, the stable startup of the synchronous motor can be guaranteed and the useful life of the semiconductor elements can also be prolonged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomofumi Okubo, Norinaga Suzuki, Hajime Uematsu, Hideharu Tanaka, Masakazu Hase, Yoshiyuki Taguchi
  • Publication number: 20100284823
    Abstract: An engine having a fluid lubrication and control system is provided. The engine also includes a pump configured to maintain fluid pressure in the lubrication and control system when the engine is running. The engine additionally includes an accumulator in fluid communication with the lubrication and control system. The accumulator is configured to accumulate and retain fluid when the engine is running, and to discharge the fluid when the engine is not running in order to maintain fluid pressure in the lubrication and control system. A method for controlling oil pressure in the engine is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael G. Reynolds, Bryan K. Pryor, William C. Albertson, Mike M. Mc Donald
  • Publication number: 20090324426
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for controlling the speed of the compressor to ensure adequate lubrication oil is provided to the components of the compressor. During operation of a capacity control program for the compressor, a preselected operating parameter of the compressor or motor drive is measured. The measured preselected operating parameter is compared to a preselected range for the operating parameter. If the measured preselected operating parameter is not within the preselected range, the output frequency of the capacity control program can be increased to provide proper lubrication for the components of the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Bruce A. MOODY, Eugene K. CHUMLEY, Jerry D. EDWARDS, Tim M. WAMPLER, John W. TOLBERT, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090324427
    Abstract: A system and method for starting a compressor is provided. An amount of liquid refrigerant that is located in an oil sump of the compressor is determined. Using the determined amount of liquid refrigerant, a starting algorithm for the compressor is selected. The selected starting algorithm is configured to remove the determined amount of liquid refrigerant from the oil sump before the compressor reaches a preselected operating speed. The selected starting algorithm is then executed to start the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: John W. TOLBERT, JR., Bruce A. MOODY, Eugene K. CHUMLEY, Richard C. DENZAU, Jerry D. EDWARDS, David R. GILLIAM, Scott HIX, Justin M. TONER, Mark R. TRENT, Tim M. WAMPLER, John R. WILLIAMS
  • Patent number: 7547195
    Abstract: A scroll compressor is provided with an oil bleed valve that selectively communicates a discharge pressure chamber to a suction pressure chamber. The oil bleed valve controls flow of hot oil through a passage and onto a safety shutoff switch for an electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Scroll Technologies
    Inventors: Harshal Upadhye, Gregory W. Hahn
  • Publication number: 20090068024
    Abstract: A progressing cavity pump heat management system including a progressing cavity pump and a controller. The controller is configured to receive data relating to the temperature of materials exiting the pump and the differential pressure across the pump to determine whether corrective action is required. The controller is configured such that if the controller determines that corrective action is required, the controller institutes corrective action to seek to reduce at least one of the temperature of materials exiting the pump or differential pressure across the pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Michael Duane Amburgey, Mark E. Bosh, Todd E. Brown
  • Patent number: 7396213
    Abstract: A scroll compressor has lubricant flow which communicates lubricant onto a motor protector when adverse conditions are present causing the motor protector to trip the motor and stop further rotation. The lubricant is returned to an oil sump through a normal return path. The normal return path outlet may be positioned above the motor protector such that lubricant will contact the motor protector when adverse conditions are present, or the outlet may be remote from the protector. When the outlet is remote from the protector, a funnel and tubing divert the oil to the motor protector under adverse conditions. Alternatively, a passage communicating with the normal return path is selectively blocked when an adverse condition is present. At that time, lubricant is forced into an alternative oil path, which is positioned above the motor protector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Scroll Technologies
    Inventor: Jason Hugenroth
  • Patent number: 7331766
    Abstract: In a compressor for gaseous media, in particular, refrigerants, comprising a housing, a drive shaft mounted in the housing, at least one compressor unit arranged in the housing and driven by the drive shaft, and an oil lubricating device for supplying bearing areas of the drive shaft with lubricating oil, in order to solve the problem that the compressor should be shut down when the oil supply of the oil lubricating device fails, it is proposed that the oil lubricating device comprise a lubricating oil reservoir lying above an oil sump in the housing and fillable from the oil sump by a lubricating oil conveying device, that the oil lubricating device comprise a lubricating oil duct system extending through the drive shaft for taking up lubricating oil from the lubricating oil reservoir via an inlet disposed on the drive shaft and conducting it to the bearing areas, and that a lubricating oil monitoring device be provided for detecting by means of a sensor associated with the lubricating oil reservoir the pres
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Bitzer Kuehlmaschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Barowsky, Wolfgang Ullrich
  • Patent number: 7316541
    Abstract: An air compressor with an internal combustion engine having an engine oil sump, a compressor driven by the internal combustion engine and having a compressor oil sump, and a controller coupled to the internal combustion engine. The controller is configured to halt the operation of the internal combustion engine in response to either a low oil condition in the engine oil sump or a low oil condition in the compressor oil sump. A method for the operation of an air compressor is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P Baron
  • Patent number: 7281912
    Abstract: A compressor is provided with an oil separator for separating part of the lubricating oil contained in the compressed refrigerant, path arrangement for connecting a separation chamber of the separator and a delivery port of the compressed refrigerant, the path arrangement having a plurality of linear holes with opening ends that open in the outer surface of the housing wall, and screw plugs closing the opening ends except for the one serving as the delivery port, and a safety device built in at least one of the screw plugs, the safety device having a pressure relief valve and/or a temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Sanden Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Kudo
  • Patent number: 7137267
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a variable displacement compressor has an information detector and a controller. The information detector detects information about the thermal load on the refrigeration circuit. The controller determines a target value that reflects the displacement of the compressor based on the information about the thermal load detected by the information detector, and outputs the target value as a command value. When determining that the compressor is in a heavy load state based on information about a load on the compressor, the controller changes the command value to a value that causes the displacement of the compressor to become smaller than a displacement that corresponds to the determined target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Masakazu Murase, Masahiro Kawaguchi, Hiroaki Kayukawa, Satoshi Umemura
  • Patent number: 6886354
    Abstract: Two liquid levels are sensed in the oil sump of a compressor to determine if sufficient oil and excess refrigerant are present prior to starting the compressor and appropriate steps taken, if necessary. At start-up, and during operation, the presence or flow of liquid refrigerant in the suction of the compressor is sensed and appropriate steps taken, if necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin F. Dudley
  • Patent number: 6648607
    Abstract: A scroll compressor has lubricant flow which communicates lubricant onto a motor protector causing the motor protector to trip the motor and stop further rotation when a predetermined lubricant temperature is reached. The motor protector is surrounded by a reservoir which maintains contact between the motor protector and the lubricant, thus facilitating heat transfer between the motor protector and the lubricant. The lubricant is returned to an oil sump remote from the compressor pump set when the reservoir is filled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Scroll Technologies
    Inventors: Tracy L. Milliff, Jason Hugenroth, Chong Yeow Oo
  • Publication number: 20030072651
    Abstract: A vacuum pump has an oil housing, which defines a pump chamber and an oil zone adjacent to the pump chamber. A rotary shaft extends from the pump chamber through the oil housing and projects to the oil zone. A stopper is attached to the rotary shaft to integrally rotate with the rotary shaft. The stopper prevents oil from entering the pump chamber. The vacuum pump draws gas by operating a gas conveying body in the pump chamber through rotation of the rotary shaft. When the rotary shaft shifts from an operation state to a stopped state, the pressure difference occurs between the pump chamber and the oil zone. Rotation of the rotary shaft is controlled such that the pressure difference becomes maximum before the rotary shaft completely stops.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Ryosuke Koshizaka, Satoru Kuramoto, Masahiro Ida
  • Patent number: 6547528
    Abstract: A system for remote-controlling a fire pump with a simple wiring construction is provided, being capable of conducting various kinds of control and display. The fire pump control system has an engine, a fire pump, an internal control apparatus, at least one external control apparatus located away from the fire pump including the internal control apparatus, and a twisted pair line for connecting the external control apparatus with the internal control apparatus. The internal and external control apparatuses form a network through the twisted pair line so as to control the fire pump through telecommunications from the external control apparatus. This network uses a p-CSMA system for communicating data, so that a high level of remote control can be carried out, with monitoring an operation state of the fire pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenichi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6431843
    Abstract: A method of ensuring adequate oil thickness for the bearings in a sealed compressor includes the step of monitoring the viscosity of a lubricant for the bearings. If the monitored viscosity drops below a minimum, then some control is effected to reduce the necessary bearing film thickness. In a preferred embodiment, an unloader valve is opened to reduce the load on the bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin F. Dudley
  • Patent number: 6422822
    Abstract: A submersible pump employs a sealed, oil-filled chamber with a moisture-sensing probe to detect the presence of any pumpage, such as water, which has leaked into the chamber. If contamination is detected, the pump may be shut down for repairs before it fails. Two mechanical seals are installed the lower seal is located between the pump and the oil chamber and an upper seal is located between the oil chamber and the motor. The improvement disclosed herein combines a pressurized oil accumulator with the pump oil chamber described above. The accumulator is divided into two compartments separated by a bladder, one compartment being connected to the reservoir of the pump and filled with oil for providing make-up oil to the reservoir and for accepting surplus (expansion) oil from the reservoir. The second compartment is pressurized and applies pressure to the bladder that, in turn, transfers the pressure to the oil in the first compartment and to the oil-filled chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey Wayne Holmes
  • Patent number: 6394758
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of controlling air compressors is disclosed. In this invention, an air compressor is started to supply compressed air to an air tank. A temperature sensor senses the lubrication oil temperature of the compressor, and outputs a temperature signal to the controller, which compares the sensed oil temperature with a preset reference temperature. When the sensed oil temperature is not higher than the preset reference temperature, a pressure sensor senses the compressed air pressure within the tank, and outputs a pressure signal to the controller. When the compressed air pressure is higher than a minimum pressure, the controller lowers the frequency of a drive signal for the air compressor and operates the air compressor at a low rpm. When the compressed air pressure is higher than a preset maximum pressure, the controller operates the air compressor at a minimum rpm and partially discharges compressed air from the tank into the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventors: Jae Young Lee, Yu Sang Han
  • Patent number: 6280146
    Abstract: A unique protection circuit for a sealed compressor incorporates oil structure which directs a heated oil onto a motor protection circuit. The motor protection circuit is of the type which shuts down operation of an electric motor when a predetermined temperature is sensed. The motor protection circuit is positioned adjacent to an oil return path which is opened when a high temperature is experienced in the compressor pump unit. The valve in the path opens to allow flow of the returned oil onto the motor protection switch. The motor protection switch is then actuated to stop further operation of the motor. In another embodiment, the motor protection switch is immersed in the oil sump. Again, when the oil temperature increases to a predetermined amount, the motor protection switch stops further operation of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Scroll Technologies
    Inventors: James W. Bush, Zili Sun, Carlos Zamudio, Jason Hugenroth, Greg Hahn, Thomas Barito, Joe T. Hill, John R. Williams
  • Patent number: 6276901
    Abstract: A combination sight glass and optical sensor is provided in the housing of a hermetic compressor to provide effective visual inspection in addition to automatic sensing of the level of oil in an oil sump. A sight glass fitting is provided in the housing and has a first portion that extends outwardly from the housing and that is accessible from outside the compressor. An optical oil level sensing device is removably attached to the first portion of the sight glass with electrical leads extending outside the compressor for connection to a compressor controller. A prism or similar device is attached to the sight glass fitting intermediate the sump oil and the optical sensor. The sensing device includes a light source, a photosensitive detector, and an opaque member to prevent cross coupling between the light source and the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventors: James B. Farr, Kent B. Herrick