Diverse, Cascade Or Compound Refrigeration-producing System Patents (Class 62/175)
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Patent number: 6804971Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for controlling a plurality of compressors of an air conditioner. The apparatus comprises a counter, a timer, and a controller. The counter serves to count the number of times of operations/stoppages of the plural compressors according to loads. The timer serves to sense a time taken for the plural compressors to be operated/stopped a designated number of times counted by the counter. The controller serves to control the operations of the plural compressors based on the time sensed by the timer. The apparatus senses the time taken for the plural compressors to be operated/stopped the designated number of times, and determines whether or not a load is eliminated based on the sensed time, thereby properly controlling the operations of the compressors. Accordingly, the apparatus of the present invention reduces the consumption of power and increases air conditioning efficiency of the compressors.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2003Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Won Hee Lee
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Patent number: 6792766Abstract: A thermal zone demand controlled air conditioning fan coil unit using dual cascade arranged heat pumps, chilled water, or a combination of chilled water and hot water, with or without back up electric resistance heat strips, and having an air circulation system for circulating air to and from a plurality of thermal zones and including a conditioned air chamber having first and second heat exchange refrigerant coils or direct or reversed cycle water coils being connected in refrigerant circulating relation respectively with the heat pumps, chilled water coil. A plurality of thermal zone blowers conduct conditioned air from the conditioned air chamber to respective thermal zones of a building space. Electronic controller circuitry of the system is coupled for thermal demand control of the heat pumps and the thermal zone blowers for operation of the first heat pump during average thermal load and for operation of both heat pumps during greater thermal load.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2002Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Assignee: Cascade Manufacturing, L.P.Inventors: David Osborne, Brian Chester, Gary R. Scoggins
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Patent number: 6772599Abstract: A control system is provided to maintain stable operating conditions for centrifugal compressors operating in parallel when one of the centrifugal compressors enters into an unstable operating condition. The control system determines an unstable operating condition in response to signals indicating the motor current or power consumption of each compressor and the position of the pre-rotation vanes of the compressors. Once an unstable operating condition is determined, the control system closes the pre-rotation vanes to each compressor until the unstable operating condition has been corrected.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2003Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: York International CorporationInventors: Mark Robinson Bodell, II, Wanda Jean Miller
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Patent number: 6772607Abstract: A refrigerating device including a refrigerating cycle including a plurality of compressors driven by motors, the plurality of compressors comprising a variable speed compressor which can be controlled in capacity and a constant speed compressor which is driven by a motor of which rotor core comprising a cage type conductor and permanent magnets.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2002Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Hiroaki Tsuboe, Susumu Nakayama, Akira Saruta, Kazumoto Urata
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Publication number: 20040148948Abstract: A cooling system of the invention has heat exchange means which is housed in one enclosure (31) and is constituted of a plurality of heat exchange modes, and the heat exchange means includes a refrigerant forced circulation mode, a refrigerant natural circulation mode, and a ventilation mode. Temperature detection means performs switching to an optimal mode, to thereby cool the inside of the enclosure (31) of a housing (30) accommodating equipment (32) including a heat-generating component (33).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2003Publication date: August 5, 2004Inventors: Susumu Kameyama, Yu Seshimo, Yasufumi Hatamura, Masaoki Ino, Hiroyuki Kobayakawa, Toshihiko Enomoto, Makoto Saitou
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Patent number: 6769258Abstract: A method for cooling inlet air to a gas turbine is provided. For example, a method is described including passing inlet air through a cooling coil that includes an opening for receiving the inlet air and that is operably connected to a gas turbine power plant. The gas turbine power plant may include at least one gas turbine, and at least one gas turbine inlet which receives the inlet air. The method may further include passing circulating water through a water chiller at a first flow rate to reduce the temperature of the circulating water, the water chiller including a conduit through which the circulating water is capable of passing and passing the circulating water having the first flow rate through the cooling coil in an amount sufficient to lower the temperature of the inlet air.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2002Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Inventor: Tom L. Pierson
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Patent number: 6755034Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus for preventing an overload of an air conditioner and a method thereof. The apparatus includes current feedback units for feeding back the currents supplied to the compressors to the controller where at least one of a plurality of compressors, operated in response to currents generated from a controller for controlling an operation of the air conditioner, is in an overload state; and a comparator for sensing current differences between the currents inputted into the compressors and the currents fed back from the current feedback units. After sensing the current differences between the currents inputted into the compressors and the currents fed back from the current feedback units, the comparator determines that at least one of the compressors is in the overload state if a current difference does not exist.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2003Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Min Ho So, Won Hee Lee, Chang Min Choi, Yoon Jei Hwang, Deok Huh, Cheol Min Kim
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Patent number: 6755038Abstract: Multi-unit air conditioner and method for controlling the same, the multi-unit air conditioner including a plurality of outdoor heat exchangers, a plurality of outdoor fans for cooling the outdoor heat exchangers, and control means for controlling rotation speeds of the outdoor fans, to control a gas/liquid refrigerant mixing ratio introduced into the gas-liquid separator through the outdoor heat exchangers, thereby optimizing the mixing ratio of the refrigerant introduced to a gas-liquid separator proper to an operation condition, for improving an air conditioning efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2003Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Il Nahm Hwang
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Patent number: 6755035Abstract: Outside air is treated to remove moisture before it enters the conditioned air space of a store or other building containing refrigeration furniture. The sensible air temperature and relative humidity measurements are taken to allow microprocessor calculations of the wet bulb temperature. A pair of unequal sized compressors of the HVAC system are then cycled in stages for peak efficiency and minimum compressor horsepower usage for low cost operation and minimal energy consumption both of the HVAC system and the refrigeration furniture. The wet bulb temperature is converged by the microprocessor which iterates a known polynomial approximately every 6 seconds to derive the wet bulb temperature. A time delay circuitry set at approximately 30 minutes prevents unnecessary staging of the compressors.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2003Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Supermarket Environment Services CompanyInventors: Patrick J. McNamara, William E. Clark
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Publication number: 20040118135Abstract: Disclosed are an air conditioner, which reduces an electric power consumption rate and rapidly copes with the requirements of a user, and a method for operating the air conditioner in a cooling mode for cooling air in a room by an independent or simultaneous operation of small-capacity and large-capacity compressors in accordance with the variation of a cooling load.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2003Publication date: June 24, 2004Applicant: LG Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Won Hee Lee, Cheol Min Kim, Yoon Jei Hwang
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Patent number: 6751966Abstract: A method of operating a hybrid temperature control system. The method provides an evaporator, which has a discharge line, a supply line, and a evaporator coil. The evaporator coil is in fluid communication with the discharge line and the supply line. The method also provides a microprocessor, which regulates a supply of a heat absorbing fluid to the evaporator. The method further couples a sensor module to the microprocessor. The sensor module is near the evaporator, senses a temperature of a gas exiting the evaporator, and sends a temperature to the microprocessor. The method also turns off the supply of the heat absorbing fluid to the evaporator when the microprocessor determines that the temperature of the gas exiting the evaporator reaches a predetermined temperature.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2002Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Assignee: Thermo King CorporationInventors: Herman H. Viegas, David J. Vander Woude, Hans-Olof Nilsson
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Patent number: 6748754Abstract: In a multistage rotary compressor using a refrigerant such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and the like which becomes high in a discharge pressure, operating efficiency thereof can be enhanced by appropriately setting the ratio between displacement of the respective rotary compression elements and the areas of discharge ports thereof.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2003Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kenzo Matsumoto, Noriyuki Tsuda, Haruyuki Yamasaki, Kazuya Sato, Masaya Tadano
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Publication number: 20040107709Abstract: Disclosed is a method for operating a plurality of compressors of an air conditioner in accordance with a cooling or heating load in a room, in which a power supply unit for supplying power to the compressors is protected when a cooling or heating load in a room is the highest grade. The method comprises the steps of: (a) determining the cooling or heating load in the room; and (b) sequentially operating the plural compressors when it is determined as a result of the step (a) that the cooling or heating load in the room is in the highest grade.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2003Publication date: June 10, 2004Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Won Hee Lee, Cheol Min Kim, Yoon Jei Hwang, Ji Young Jang
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Publication number: 20040107727Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooling apparatus including a compressor, a condenser, a first expanding unit, a second expanding unit, a third expanding unit, a first evaporator, and a second evaporator; a first refrigerant circuit containing refrigerant discharged from the compressor and flowing into a suction side of the compressor through the condenser, the first expanding unit, the first evaporator, the second expanding unit and the second evaporator; a second refrigerant circuit containing the refrigerant passing through the condenser flowing into the suction side of the compressor through the third expanding unit and the second evaporator; a flow path control unit installed at a discharge side of the condenser, switching a refrigerant flow path so that the refrigerant passing through the condenser flows through at least one of the first and second refrigerant circuits; and a control unit selectively opening and closing the flow path control unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2003Publication date: June 10, 2004Applicant: SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoon-Young Kim, Hak-Gyun Bae, Chang-Nyeun Kim, Jae-Seung Lee, Myung-Wouk Kim, Eung-Ryeol Seo
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Publication number: 20040107710Abstract: Disclosed are an air conditioning system, in which the total operating capacity of compressors is variably controlled in accordance with a cooling or heating load in a room, and a method for controlling the air conditioning method, thus improving comfortableness in the room, reducing an electric power consumption rate, and increasing cooling or heating efficiency. The air conditioning system includes an indoor heat exchanger for cooling a room by heat-exchanging a refrigerant with air in the room; an outdoor heat exchanger for condensing the refrigerant; a plurality of compressors for compressing the refrigerant; and a control unit for controlling operation of the plural compressors in accordance with the cooling or heating load in the room.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2003Publication date: June 10, 2004Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Won Hee Lee, Cheol Min Kim, Yoon Jei Hwang, Ji Young Jang
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Publication number: 20040098994Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for controlling a plurality of compressors of an air conditioner. The apparatus comprises a counter, a timer, and a controller. The counter serves to count the number of times of operations/stoppages of the plural compressors according to loads. The timer serves to sense a time taken for the plural compressors to be operated/stopped a designated number of times counted by the counter. The controller serves to control the operations of the plural compressors based on the time sensed by the timer. The apparatus senses the time taken for the plural compressors to be operated/stopped the designated number of times, and determines whether or not a load is eliminated based on the sensed time, thereby properly controlling the operations of the compressors. Accordingly, the apparatus of the present invention reduces the consumption of power and increases air conditioning efficiency of the compressors.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2003Publication date: May 27, 2004Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Won Hee Lee
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Patent number: 6736328Abstract: A control system with a communication function wherein: a central unit communicates 30 with a plurality of devices 11, 12, . . . , monitors and manages the operations of the devices; and each of the devices includes an input section for entering position data thereof. The central unit receives the position data and an identification data of each device, and includes a unit for making the identification data correspond to the position data for each device.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2002Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Kitz CorporationInventor: Masaru Takusagawa
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Patent number: 6735965Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus and control method thereof includes an inverter-type compressor and a two-stage variable-capacity compressor connected in parallel with their respective capacities controlled according to indoor air conditioning loads. Thus, the present invention is cost-competitive due to a capacity of the inverter-type compressor being lower than that of the two-stage variable-capacity compressor.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2002Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Je-Myoung Moon, Jong-Youb Kim, Dong-Kue Lee, Il-Yong Cho
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Patent number: 6732539Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus and control method thereof is provided, in which a pulse width modulation compressor and a two-stage variable-capacity compressor are connected in parallel with each other to control capacities of the two compressors according to indoor air conditioning loads. The air conditioning apparatus is cost-competitive because a capacity supplied by the pulse width modulation compressor is relatively low in cost, and the cost required for manufacturing the compressor is reduced in proportion to the reduced capacity. Accordingly, with the air-conditioning apparatus an effect is obtainable in which a variable-capacity compressor with small capacity and a two-stage variable-capacity compressor with large capacity are controlled as if a large-scale variable-capacity compressor with a same capacity as a total capacity of the two compressors were linearly controlled.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2002Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Je-Myoung Moon, Jong-Youb Kim, Dong-Kue Lee, Il-Yong Cho
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Method and apparatus for centrally controlling environmental characteristics of multiple air systems
Patent number: 6726111Abstract: The present invention provides a system and single controller for receiving constant and individualized in information from a plurality of air control systems. A single controller is capable of controlling and interacting with at least two separate air control systems to control an environmental characteristic, and in the process, reduces the costs associated with the manufacturing and every day operation of the individual systems. In addition, the controller is capable of intelligently communicating with the input and output devices of the system, and particularly with each individually interfaced appliance, such that the controller can adaptively control the system through the use of stored historical data.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2001Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: Tjernlund Products, Inc.Inventors: John R. Weimer, Timothy G. Hoyez -
Patent number: 6722143Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus and control method thereof is provided, in which two-stage variable-capacity compressors are connected in parallel with each other to control capacities of the two stage variable-capacity compressors according to indoor air conditioning loads. A pair of two-stage variable-capacity compressors are used in the air conditioning apparatus to be cost competitive and can obtain an effect in which the pair of two-stage variable-capacity compressors are controlled as if a large-scale variable-capacity compressor with a capacity the same as a total capacity of the two compressors were linearly controlled.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Je-Myoung Moon, Jong-Youb Kim, Dong-Kue Lee, Il-Yong Cho
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Patent number: 6722576Abstract: Disclosed is a method for operating an air conditioner in a warming mode, including the 100% operation performing step of operating/stopping all of compressors, the load determining step of determining a warming load to be eliminated after completion of the 100% operation performing step, the 100%/X% operation performing step of operating all of the compressors when it is determined at the load determining step that the warming load is not large, subsequently stopping a part of the compressors, and subsequently stopping the remainder of the compressors, the sensing step of sensing the number of stoppages of the remainder of the compressors after completion of the 100%/X% operation performing step, and the X% operation performing step of operating/stopping the remainder of the compressors when the sensed number of stoppage times reaches a predetermined number.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2003Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Won Hee Lee, Cheol Min Kim, Woo Ho Cha, Yoon Jei Hwang, Deok Huh
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Publication number: 20040068996Abstract: An automatic control system of the invention comprises a plurality of liquid chillers, a principal controller, and a plurality of secondary controllers respectively connected to the liquid chillers and the principal controller. The automatic control system stores a British Thermal Unit (BTU) table that includes a predetermined high load limit parameter and a predetermined low load limit parameter varying according to the number of liquid chillers in operation. The principal controller compares an actual load of the currently operating liquid chillers with the high and/or low load limit parameter to determine an adequate number of liquid chillers that have to be operated. By evaluating the number of liquid chillers currently operating, the principal controller then determines whether liquid chillers have to be switched on or switched off through the secondary controllers.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2003Publication date: April 15, 2004Inventor: LYMAN TSENG
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Publication number: 20040068997Abstract: A cooling apparatus 110 comprises a primary refrigerant circulating circuit which allows a primary refrigerant CW1 whose temperature is adjusted by a heat exchanger 138 to circulate through an electrode to adjust a temperature of the electrode, a secondary refrigerant circulating circuit which supplies a secondary refrigerant CW2 to the heat exchanger to adjust the temperature of the primary refrigerant, and a freezing circuit 140 which has a first heat exchanger 141 interposed in the secondary refrigerant circulating circuit and which adjust a temperature of the secondary refrigerant by a tertiary refrigerant. The temperature of the primary refrigerant is adjusted by the secondary refrigerant without adjusting the temperature using the freezing circuit. When a temperature of the primary refrigerant is set higher than that of the secondary refrigerant, the temperature of the primary refrigerant can be adjusted only by the secondary refrigerant.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2003Publication date: April 15, 2004Inventors: Takaaki Hirooka, Masao Furuya
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Patent number: 6711911Abstract: An expansion valve is controlled in response to sensing conditions at the outlet of at least one compressor within a refrigeration loop in a manner that achieves low suction superheat operation of the compressor. In particular, a discharge superheat is computed using data obtained from a specific mathematical model of the compression process corresponding to the current capacity stage of the compressor. The position of the expansion valve is controlled so as to result in an actual discharge superheat being within a predetermined dead band amount of the computed discharge superheat.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2002Date of Patent: March 30, 2004Assignee: Carrier CorporationInventors: Michel K. Grabon, Philippe Rigal, Ba-Tung Pham
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Patent number: 6705097Abstract: Disclosed are compressor-controlling device and method for an air conditioner comprising a plurality of compressors. The compressor-controlling device comprises a movable timer for sensing a stopping time (t) of stopped compressors selected from the plural compressors according to a decrease of a cooling load, a comparison unit for determining whether the stopping time (t) sensed by the movable timer exceeds a designated time (T), and a control unit for re-operating the stopped compressors after a lapse of the designated time (T) when the cooling load is increased, in case the comparison unit judges that the stopping time (t) does not exceed the designated time (T). When the cooling load is increased, the stopped compressors for satisfying the decrease of a cooling load are re-operated after the lapse of the designated time. Therefore, the compressor-controlling device assures the reliability of its system.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2003Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Min Ho So, Won Hee Lee, Chang Min Choi, Yoon Jei Hwang, Deok Huh, Cheol Min Kim
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Patent number: 6698218Abstract: A refrigeration system for cooling a logic module includes an evaporator housing including an evaporator block in thermal communication with the logic module. The evaporator housing includes a humidity sensor for detecting a humidity within the evaporator housing. The system further comprises a controller for controlling a refrigeration unit supplying cold refrigerant to the evaporator block in response to the operating conditions of the logic module and the temperature of the evaporator block. In another aspect of the invention, two modular refrigeration units are independently operable to cool the evaporator block, and each refrigeration unit is controllable in various modes of operation including an enabled mode in which it is ready to cool the evaporator and an on mode in which it is actively cooling the evaporator. In another aspect of the invention, the evaporator block and a heater on a reverse side of the circuit board are particularly controlled during concurrent repair operations.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2003Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Gary F. Goth, Jody A. Hickey, Daniel J. Kearney, Robert Makowicki
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Patent number: 6698217Abstract: An object of the present invention is to continue operation as it is without inducing any degradation of performance of a compressor even if one of compressors is broken down in a refrigeration apparatus which can freely cool or warm the inside of a room, cool a refrigerating show case and cool a freezing show case. A refrigeration apparatus (1) comprises a non-inverter compressor (2A), a first inverter compressor (2B) and a second inverter compressor (2C). If the first inverter compressor (2B) is broken down during a cooling/freezing operation in which a cooling operation is performed by an inside heat exchanger (41), a refrigerating heat exchanger (45) and a freezing heat exchanger (51), the operation is continued by opening a solenoid valve (7a) disposed on a first sub pipe (23).Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2003Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Kenji Tanimoto, Masaaki Takegami, Takeo Ueno, Kazuyoshi Nomura, Akihiro Kajimoto
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Publication number: 20040016245Abstract: Disclosed is a packaged chilling system for providing chilled water to an air conditioning system for a building that includes: a duct system; an air handling system; and a water chilling system; wherein: the duct system is in operable communication with a building that has a plurality of rooms, at least one of the rooms having a sensor for detecting the room air temperature in the room, the duct system comprising at least one supply duct for directing low temperature air from the air handling system to the building and at least one return duct for directing high temperature air from the building to the air handling system; the air handling system includes a plurality of air handling units, each air handling unit comprising an air inlet for receiving high temperature air from the building, a cooling coil that includes at least one conduit through which chilled water flows, the cooling coil having multiple passes and positioned for heat transfer contact with the high temperature air, and a fan for increasing tType: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2003Publication date: January 29, 2004Inventor: Tom L. Pierson
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Publication number: 20040003610Abstract: Disclosed are an air conditioning system with two compressors and a method for operating the same, so as to variably change a compression capacity of a refrigerant according to the variation of cooling load. Herein, when a full operation order is inputted to the two compressors in order to satisfy increased cooling load, the first compressor is first operated, and then the second compressor having a compression capacity of a refrigerant smaller than that of the first compressor is additionally operated, so that a current peak value for operating the compressors does not exceed an allowable current range of a circuit breaker installed in a home or building, thereby safely controlling the air conditioning system and simultaneously allowing the current to be provided to other electric appliances, thus improving users' convenience.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2003Publication date: January 8, 2004Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Min Ho So, Won Hee Lee, Chang Min Choi, Yoon Jei Hwang, Deok Huh, Cheol Min Kim
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Publication number: 20040003606Abstract: Disclosed are compressor-controlling device and method for an air conditioner comprising a plurality of compressors. The compressor-controlling device comprises a movable timer for sensing a stopping time (t) of stopped compressors selected from the plural compressors according to a decrease of a cooling load, a comparison unit for determining whether the stopping time (t) sensed by the movable timer exceeds a designated time (T), and a control unit for re-operating the stopped compressors after a lapse of the designated time (T) when the cooling load is increased, in case the comparison unit judges that the stopping time (t) does not exceed the designated time (T). When the cooling load is increased, the stopped compressors for satisfying the decrease of a cooling load are re-operated after the lapse of the designated time. Therefore, the compressor-controlling device assures the reliability of its system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2003Publication date: January 8, 2004Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Min Ho So, Won Hee Lee, Chang Min Choi, Yoon Jei Hwang, Deok Huh, Cheol Min Kim
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Publication number: 20040000155Abstract: To provide chilled water, a variable-primary-flow system includes two variable speed pumps that pump water through a first chiller and a second chiller. A control energizes the second chiller in response to a cooling demand exceeding that what can be met by the first chiller operating alone, and de-energizes the second chiller upon the cooling demand decreasing to a level below the first chiller's maximum capacity. When both chillers are operating, the capacities of the chillers are modulated in unison to meet the cooling demand. Likewise, when both pumps are running, their speed is modulated in unison to provide a desired pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2002Publication date: January 1, 2004Inventors: Lee R. Cline, Michael C.A. Schwedler
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Publication number: 20030233838Abstract: Disclosed are an air conditioning system with two compressors so as to shorten standby time for re-operating a stopped compressor and variably change the compression capacity of a refrigerant according to cooling load, and a method for operating the air conditioning system. The method for operating the air conditioning system with two compressors, comprises the first step of simultaneously operating the compressors regardless of cooling load at an early stage of the operation, the second step of selectively operating one of the compressors according to the cooling load, and the third step of additionally re-operating the stopped compressor when the operated compressor selected from the compressor in the second step is continuously operated for longer than a designated time, thereby shortening the standby time for re-operating the stopped compressor, rapidly changing the compression capacity of the refrigerant according to the cooling load, and improving users' comfort within a room.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2003Publication date: December 25, 2003Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Won Hee Lee, Chang Min Choi, Yoon Jei Hwang, Deok Huh, Cheol Min Kim
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Publication number: 20030233836Abstract: An object of the present invention is to continue operation as it is without inducing any degradation of performance of a compressor even if one of compressors is broken down in a refrigeration apparatus which can freely cool or warm the inside of a room, cool a refrigerating show case and cool a freezing show case. A refrigeration apparatus (1) comprises a non-inverter compressor (2A), a first inverter compressor (2B) and a second inverter compressor (2C). If the first inverter compressor (2B) is broken down during a cooling/freezing operation in which a cooling operation is performed by an inside heat exchanger (41), a refrigerating heat exchanger (45) and a freezing heat exchanger (51), the operation is continued by opening a solenoid valve (7a) disposed on a first sub pipe (23).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2003Publication date: December 25, 2003Inventors: Kenji Tanimoto, Masaaki Takegami, Takeo Ueno, Kazuyoshi Nomura, Akihiro Kajimoto
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Publication number: 20030233837Abstract: An air conditioning system and a method for operating the air conditioning system, in which a plurality of compressors are simultaneously or selectively operated, based on the difference between a room temperature and a desired temperature generated during a waiting time for re-operation of the compressors. The room temperature varying during the waiting time for the re-operation of the compressors maintained at a stopped state is sensed to determine whether or not an increase in cooling load occurs. Based on the amount of the cooling load, it is determined whether the compressors have to operate simultaneously or selectively. That is, the refrigerant compression capacity of the air conditioning system is determined by reflecting the cooling load caused by a variation in room temperature occurring during the waiting time for re-operation taken until any compressor maintained in a stopped state is re-operated.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2003Publication date: December 25, 2003Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Won Hee Lee, Chang Min Choi, Yoon Jei Hwang, Deok Huh, Cheol Min Kim
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Patent number: 6668240Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring the food product and refrigeration system performance of a remote location. The system includes a management center in communication with a remote location through a communications network. The management center receives performance information of the remote location with respect to operational parameters of components of a refrigeration system of the remote location, and temperature data, at which food product has been stored. The management center utilizes software modules to analyze the performance information and provide alarms for scenarios such as food safety and quality issues, failure of a component of the refrigeration system or preventative maintenance for components of the refrigeration system. A third party computer may also communicate with the management center and the remote location for reviewing performance information.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2002Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Assignee: Emerson Retail Services Inc.Inventors: Abtar Singh, Thomas J. Mathews, Neal Starling, Paul Wickberg
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Patent number: 6666042Abstract: To provide chilled water, a variable-primary-flow system includes two variable speed pumps that pump water through a first chiller and a second chiller. A control energizes the second chiller in response to a cooling demand exceeding that what can be met by the first chiller operating alone, and de-energizes the second chiller upon the cooling demand decreasing to a level below the first chiller's maximum capacity. When both chillers are operating, the capacities of the chillers are modulated in unison to meet the cooling demand. Likewise, when both pumps are running, their speed is modulated in unison to provide a desired pressure.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2002Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Assignee: American Standard International Inc.Inventors: Lee R. Cline, Michael C. A. Schwedler
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Publication number: 20030230097Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus and control method thereof is provided, in which a pulse width modulation compressor and a two-stage variable-capacity compressor are connected in parallel with each other to control capacities of the two compressors according to indoor air conditioning loads. The air conditioning apparatus is cost-competitive because a capacity supplied by the pulse width modulation compressor is relatively low in cost, and the cost required for manufacturing the compressor is reduced in proportion to the reduced capacity. Accordingly, with the air-conditioning apparatus an effect is obtainable in which a variable-capacity compressor with small capacity and a two-stage variable-capacity compressor with large capacity are controlled as if a large-scale variable-capacity compressor with a same capacity as a total capacity of the two compressors were linearly controlled.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2002Publication date: December 18, 2003Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Je-Myoung Moon, Jong-Youb Kim, Dong-Kue Lee, IL-Yong Cho
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Publication number: 20030230099Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus and control method thereof is provided, in which two-stage variable-capacity compressors are connected in parallel with each other to control capacities of the two stage variable-capacity compressors according to indoor air conditioning loads. A pair of two-stage variable-capacity compressors are used in the air conditioning apparatus to be cost competitive and can obtain an effect in which the pair of two-stage variable-capacity compressors are controlled as if a large-scale variable-capacity compressor with a capacity the same as a total capacity of the two compressors were linearly controlled.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2002Publication date: December 18, 2003Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Je-Myoung Moon, Jong-Youb Kim, Dong-Kue Lee, Il-Yong Cho
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Publication number: 20030230098Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus and control method thereof includes an inverter-type compressor and a two-stage variable-capacity compressor connected in parallel with their respective capacities controlled according to indoor air conditioning loads. Thus, the present invention is cost-competitive due to a capacity of the inverter-type compressor being lower than that of the two-stage variable-capacity compressor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2002Publication date: December 18, 2003Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Je-Myoung Moon, Jong-Youb Kim, Dong-Kue Lee, Il-Yong Cho
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Publication number: 20030230100Abstract: Multi-unit air conditioner and method for controlling the same, the multi-unit air conditioner including a plurality of outdoor heat exchangers, a plurality of outdoor fans for cooling the outdoor heat exchangers, and control means for controlling rotation speeds of the outdoor fans, to control a gas/liquid refrigerant mixing ratio introduced into the gas-liquid separator through the outdoor heat exchangers, thereby optimizing the mixing ratio of the refrigerant introduced to a gas-liquid separator proper to an operation condition, for improving an air conditioning efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2003Publication date: December 18, 2003Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventor: Il Nahm Hwang
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Publication number: 20030217557Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus for preventing an overload of an air conditioner and a method thereof. The apparatus includes current feedback units for feeding back the currents supplied to the compressors to the controller where at least one of a plurality of compressors, operated in response to currents generated from a controller for controlling an operation of the air conditioner, is in an overload state; and a comparator for sensing current differences between the currents inputted into the compressors and the currents fed back from the current feedback units. After sensing the current differences between the currents inputted into the compressors and the currents fed back from the current feedback units, the comparator determines that at least one of the compressors is in the overload state if a current difference does not exist.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2003Publication date: November 27, 2003Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Min Ho So, Won Hee Lee, Chang Min Choi, Yoon Jei Hwang, Deok Huh, Cheoi Min Kim
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Publication number: 20030213255Abstract: A control unit for variable displacement compressors is used for two independent air conditioning cycles, wherein two compressors 1, 11 driven by a common external drive source 8 include electromagnetic displacement control valves 6, 16, respectively. By controlling these control valves by ECU 7, the displacement of the compressor is variable. When the air temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature To, both of the compressors are subjected to the variable displacement operation even though one of them is unnecessary for the air conditioning operation. On the contrary, if the outer air temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature, only one compressor, needed for the air conditioning operation, is subjected to the variable displacement operation, while the other compressor is subjected to the minimum displacement operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2003Publication date: November 20, 2003Inventor: Michiyasu Nosaka
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Patent number: 6647735Abstract: A commercial refrigeration system has a control system which distributes intelligence to increase granularity of the control and simplify wiring, assembly and installation. Compressors of the refrigeration system each have a bus compatible compressor safety and control module including a processor and sensors. All control and safety modules communicate over a single power and communications line with the controller, providing digital transmissions to the controller of measurements taken by the sensors. The information provided may include that the compressor is outside of a specific safety parameter, so that the controller knows not only that a safety parameter has been traversed, but exactly which one. The control and safety modules are capable of executing commands from the controller to cycle the compressors. The control and safety modules preferably contain sufficient intelligence to continue system operation upon failure of the controller.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2001Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: Hussmann CorporationInventors: Norman E. Street, Ted W. Sunderland, Charles D. Thomas, Doron Shapiro, Michael J. D'Anna, Dennis Doerr
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Patent number: 6644050Abstract: An air conditioning system (multi-air conditioner system) which has a plurality of indoor units installed inside of a predefined space for performing air conditioning and an outdoor unit installed outside of the space for controlling the indoor units, and a method for controlling the same. In an installation process, an installer need not personally set addresses in the indoor units one by one, because the outdoor unit automatically sets the addresses in the indoor units. Therefore, as compared with conventional air conditioning systems, a period of time required for the address setting and an error occurrence probability can be reduced and the convenience to the user can be increased. Furthermore, the address setting can automatically be conducted without additionally using separate hardware modules, thereby reducing parts costs required in manufacturing a multi-air conditioner.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2002Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Min Seob Shim
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Patent number: 6640560Abstract: An electronic control for an air conditioning system is provided. The system includes first and second air conditioning packs located in the air craft remote from one another. Each pack includes a pack controller in the same location as the pack. The pack controllers produce operating instruction signals to the packs for instructing the packs to produce conditioned air in response to a reference signal. A supervisory controller is centrally located in aircraft, preferably in the electronics equipment bay, and is connected to each of the pack controllers. The supervisory controller produces the reference signal to the pack controllers. In addition to controlling the operation of the packs, the pack controllers preferably include prognostics for monitoring the packs and diagnosing problems. The distributed electronic controllers of the present invention utilized for the packs may similarly be applied to the zone trim system and the engine air bleed valves.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2001Date of Patent: November 4, 2003Assignee: Hamilton SundstrandInventors: Eric Rohrbach, John M. Maljanian, Jr.
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Patent number: 6625996Abstract: In a communication control system for an air conditioner including an outdoor unit, plural indoor units and control equipment such as a remote controller, etc. which is connected to each indoor unit through a communication line, data communication being carried out between each indoor unit and the control equipment through the communication line, each indoor unit is equipped with a communication control device having a power source circuit 59 to which a power source voltage is supplied from a main power source, a communication superposing circuit for superposing communication data on the power source voltage, a transistor 54 for ON/OFF-controlling the supply of the power source voltage from the main power source to the communication superposing circuit, and a polarity coincidence circuit 63A that passes the output of the communication superposing circuit therethrough to the communication line and depolarizes the power source voltage from the external.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2001Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seiji Nakajima, Takaharu Tenma, Eiji Oohashi
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Patent number: 6622501Abstract: An air conditioning system which has a plurality of indoor units installed inside of a predefined space for performing air conditioning and an outdoor unit installed outside of the space for controlling the indoor units, and a method for controlling the same. The indoor units store unique production numbers assigned respectively thereto in manufacturing processes thereof, and the outdoor unit recognizes the production numbers of the indoor units and automatically sets addresses in the indoor units on the basis of the recognized production numbers. Therefore, in an installation process, an installer need not personally set addresses in the indoor units one by one, resulting in greater convenience of installation. Further, as compared with conventional air conditioning systems, a period of time required for the address setting and an error occurrence probability can be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2002Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: See Poong Seong
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Publication number: 20030172666Abstract: In a multistage rotary compressor using a refrigerant such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and the like which becomes high in a discharge pressure, operating efficiency thereof can be enhanced by appropriately setting the ratio between displacement of the respective rotary compression elements and the areas of discharge ports thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2003Publication date: September 18, 2003Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventors: Kenzo Matsumoto, Noriyuki Tsuda, Haruyuki Yamasaki, Kazuya Sato, Masaya Tadano
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Patent number: 6612121Abstract: An air conditioner control system comprises an outdoor unit having a compressor controlled by pulse-width modulation, and a plurality of indoor units. Each of the plurality indoor units has an indoor control unit to calculate a respective required individual cooling capacity, and an indoor communication circuit unit through which the required individual cooling capacity calculated is transmitted. The outdoor unit has an outdoor control unit producing a duty cycle control signal in response to the required individual cooling capacity transmitted from the indoor units to control the capacity of the compressor, and an outdoor communication circuit unit to communicate the indoor communication circuit unit of respective ones of the plurality of indoor units.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2002Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Joong-Ki Moon, Young-Man Kim, Jae-Myoung Moon, Jung-Min Lee, Jong-Youb Kim, Il-Yong Cho