Abstract: A system and method for determining a fault condition in a compressor is provided. The current of a motor drive powering the compressor and the outdoor ambient temperature are measured and used to determine if a fault condition or a potential fault condition is present in the compressor. If a fault condition is determined to be present, the compressor can be shutdown to avoid damage to the compressor. If a potential fault condition is determined, remedial action can be taken to attempt to prevent the fault condition from occurring and shutting down the compressor.

Abstract: A suction fitting for a compressor can include screens, filters, and direction control louvers to both filter out particulates and direct higher mass liquid refrigerant downward away from the inlet to the compression chamber. Alternatively, a mesh filter can be place over the opening(s) to the suction plenum to prevent debris and contaminants from entering the suction plenum.

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.

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.

Abstract: A system and method is provided to control and operate a compressor to have two or more discrete output capacities in response to an outdoor temperature measurement. During operation of the compressor in an air conditioning or cooling mode, the compressor has a first output capacity in response to the outdoor temperature being greater than a first temperature setpoint and the compressor has a second output capacity in response to the outdoor temperature being less than a second temperature setpoint. During operation of the compressor in a heating mode, the compressor has different output capacities based on the outdoor ambient temperature.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to control the output capacity of a compressor in response to the outdoor ambient temperature. The outdoor ambient temperature is measured by a sensor. The measured outdoor ambient temperature is then used to control the output capacity of the compressor. The compressor is operated at less than 100% capacity in response to the outdoor ambient temperature being less than or equal to 95° F. If the outdoor ambient temperature reaches a predetermined temperature greater than 95° F., the compressor is then operated at 100% capacity.

Abstract: An electrical feedthrough assembly for providing connection to components of a compressor. The electrical feedthrough assembly includes a housing having an inner surface defining a channel. A sealed wire assembly is provided in the channel. The sealed wire assembly includes a body having an outer surface defining a groove and a plurality of wires sealingly passing through the body. An o-ring fits in the groove to provide a hermetic seal between the body and the inner surface of the housing.

Abstract: A heater is provided inside a hermetic compressor to heat the fluid in an oil sump of the compressor. The heater can be substantially submerged in the fluid even at low fluid levels. The heater can raise the temperature of the fluid to a predetermined temperature to substantially maintain non-lubricant fluids in a gaseous state and prevent non-lubricant fluids from mixing with the lubricant in the sump. A feed through assembly in the compressor housing is used to supply power to both the compressor motor and the heater.

Abstract: A system is provided for transmitting control signals to the internal devices of a compressor. The compressor includes a housing, a hermetic power terminal and a motor for powering the compressor. The system includes a frequency converter that is located external to the compressor housing and a frequency decoder that is positioned inside the compressor housing. The frequency converter can convert a control signal from a controller to a high frequency signal. The frequency decoder decodes and converts the high frequency signal to a control signal for an internal device of the compressor. An AC input power source provides electrical power to the motor, and power transmission lines connect the AC input power source to the hermetic power terminal. The frequency converter is electrically coupled to the frequency decoder by two power transmission lines.

Abstract: A system to equalize pressure connected to a compressor for use in HVAC&R system is provided. The system includes a component in fluid communication between a high pressure side and an intermediate pressure side of the compressor. The component is configured to permit flow of refrigerant between the high pressure side and the intermediate pressure side at least when the compressor is not in operation.

Abstract: A system is provided to control and operate a compressor to have two or more discrete output capacities in response to an outdoor temperature measurement. During operation of the compressor in an air conditioning or cooling mode, the compressor has a first output capacity in response to the outdoor temperature being greater than a first temperature setpoint and the compressor has a second output capacity in response to the outdoor temperature being less than a second temperature setpoint.

Abstract: A system is provided for transmitting control signals to the internal devices of a compressor. The compressor includes a housing, a hermetic power terminal and a motor for powering the compressor. The system includes a frequency converter that is located external to the compressor housing and a frequency decoder that is positioned inside the compressor housing. The frequency converter can convert a control signal from a controller to a high frequency signal. The frequency decoder decodes and converts the high frequency signal to a control signal for an internal device of the compressor. An AC input power source provides electrical power to the motor, and power transmission lines connect the AC input power source to the hermetic power terminal. The frequency converter is electrically coupled to the frequency decoder by two power transmission lines.

Abstract: An electrical feedthrough assembly for providing connection to components of a compressor. The electrical feedthrough assembly includes a housing having an inner surface defining a channel. A sealed wire assembly is provided in the channel. The sealed wire assembly includes a body having an outer surface defining a groove and a plurality of wires sealingly passing through the body. An o-ring fits in the groove to provide a hermetic seal between the body and the inner surface of the housing.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to control the output capacity of a compressor in response to the outdoor ambient temperature. The outdoor ambient temperature is measured by a sensor. The measured outdoor ambient temperature is then used to control the output capacity of the compressor. The compressor is operated at less than 100% capacity in response to the outdoor ambient temperature being less than or equal to 95° F. If the outdoor ambient temperature reaches a predetermined temperature greater than 95° F., the compressor is then operated at 100% capacity.

Abstract: A heater is provided inside a hermetic compressor to heat the fluid in an oil sump of the compressor. The heater can be substantially submerged in the fluid even at low fluid levels. The heater can raise the temperature of the fluid to a predetermined temperature to substantially maintain non-lubricant fluids in a gaseous state and prevent non-lubricant fluids from mixing with the lubricant in the sump. A feed through assembly in the compressor housing is used to supply power to both the compressor motor and the heater.

Abstract: An electrical feedthrough assembly for providing connection to components of a compressor. The electrical feedthrough assembly includes a housing having an inner surface defining a channel. A sealed wire assembly is provided in the channel. The sealed wire assembly includes a body having an outer surface defining a groove and a plurality of wires sealingly passing through the body. An o-ring fits in the groove to provide a hermetic seal between the body and the inner surface of the housing.

Abstract: A system and method is provided to control and operate a compressor to have two or more discrete output capacities in response to an outdoor temperature measurement. During operation of the compressor in an air conditioning or cooling mode, the compressor has a first output capacity in response to the outdoor temperature being greater than a first temperature setpoint and the compressor has a second output capacity in response to the outdoor temperature being less than a second temperature setpoint.

Abstract: A system and method is provided to control and operate a compressor to have two or more discrete output capacities in response to an outdoor temperature measurement. During operation of the compressor in an air conditioning or cooling mode, the compressor has a first output capacity in response to the outdoor temperature being greater than a first temperature setpoint and the compressor has a second output capacity in response to the outdoor temperature being less than a second temperature setpoint. During operation of the compressor in a heating mode, the compressor has different output capacities based on the outdoor ambient temperature.

Abstract: A system to equalize pressure connected to a compressor for use in HVAC&R system is provided. The system includes a component in fluid communication between a high pressure side and an intermediate pressure side of the compressor. The component is configured to permit flow of refrigerant between the high pressure side and the intermediate pressure side at least when the compressor is not in operation.

Abstract: A pressure equalization system staffs a compressor while maintaining the condenser at a high pressure, including a valve and a bleed port. The compressor inlet receives a fluid at a first pressure. The compressor outlet discharges the fluid at a second pressure, and is operable to compress the fluid from the first pressure to the second pressure. The valve, proximate to and in fluid communication with the compressor outlet, is movable to an open position during compressor operation to permit the fluid at the second pressure to flow through the valve and is movable to a closed position when the compressor stops operating to prevent backflow of the fluid at the second pressure through the valve toward the compressor inlet. The bleed port, upstream of the valve and in fluid communication with the compressor inlet, equalizes the pressure of the fluid contained in the compressor when compressor operation stops.