Abstract: An oil balancing system for a multiple compressor system is provided. The oil balancing system includes an oil equalization line disposed between a first compressor and a second compressor. A first solenoid valve is provided in the oil equalization line. A first signal corresponds to a first oil level in the first compressor. A second signal corresponds to a second oil level in the second compressor. An oil balancing module uses the first signal and the second signal to diagnose an oil imbalance between the first compressor and the second compressor, and applies corrective action, whereby the corrective action includes sending control signals to operate at least one of the first compressor, the second compressor, or the first solenoid valve in a way that eliminates the oil imbalance.

Abstract: Systems and methods for purging lubricant from a first compressor to a second compressor are provided. A control module receives a lubricant purge command, shuts the second compressor to an OFF-mode while the first compressor remains in the ON-mode, restricts working fluid from an outlet of the second compressor from flowing into the first compressor and allows compressed working fluid discharged from an outlet of the first compressor to flow into the inlet of the second compressor such that lubricant in the second compressor flows into the first compressor.

Abstract: A light-weight, high-strength insulating compressor component formed via additive manufacturing is provided. The component may have at least one interior region comprising a lattice structure that comprises a plurality of repeating cells. A solid surface is disposed over the lattice structure. The interior region comprising the lattice structure minimizes or reduces transmission of at least one of thermal energy, sound, or vibrational energy through the component. Methods of making such compressor components via additive manufacturing processes are also provided.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes first and second compressors and an oil separator. The oil separator includes an inlet for receiving refrigerant and oil from the first compressor, a refrigerant outlet, and an oil outlet. The oil separator separates the oil from the refrigerant. A portion of the oil separator below a horizontal plane intersecting the refrigerant outlet collects separated oil and has a volume equal to a first compressor oil supply. The first compressor oil supply is greater than or equal to 100% and less than or equal to 250% of a first compressor initial oil charge. The first compressor receives oil from the oil outlet when an amount of oil in the portion is less than or equal to the first compressor oil supply. The second compressor receives oil from the refrigerant outlet when the amount of oil in the portion is greater than the first compressor oil supply.

Abstract: An expectation module determines an expected average power consumption of a heat pump for a predetermined period as a function of indoor and outdoor temperatures of the building during the predetermined period. A difference module determines a power difference between an average power consumption of the heat pump during the predetermined period and the expected average power consumption of the heat pump for the predetermined period. A grade determination module determines a grade of the heat pump for the predetermined period based on the power difference of the predetermined period. A reporting module generates a displayable report including the grade of the heat pump for the predetermined period.

Abstract: A compressor may include a shell, a compression mechanism, a bearing housing, a shroud, a stator, and a rotor. The compression mechanism includes a scroll member that is attached to the shell. The shroud is rotatably fixed relative to the shell and attached to the bearing housing. The stator is fixed relative to the shell. The shroud may have an annular body including an inner surface defining a center shroud passage. The stator may have an outer surface defining a stator passage. An outer surface of the rotor and an inner surface of the stator may be spaced apart and define a discharge gap in fluid communication with the center shroud passage and the stator passage. A continuous passage may extend between a top surface of the scroll member and a bottom surface of the shroud and may be in fluid communication with the shroud passage.

Abstract: A system includes a sensor and a controller for a refrigeration or HVAC system having a compressor. The sensor senses a temperature of the compressor during operation of the compressor. The controller is configured to determine a rate of change of the temperature relative to time and to perform one or more procedures to protect the compressor based on the rate of change of the temperature. The one or more procedures to protect the compressor include shutting down the compressor, throttling a pressure regulator valve of an evaporator associated with the compressor, adjusting an expansion valve associated with the evaporator, reducing speed of the compressor, and partially or wholly unloading the compressor.

Abstract: A refrigeration system for a vehicle includes a compressor in fluid communication with a condenser and an evaporator. The compressor includes a variable speed motor and employs capacity modulation using refrigerant injection. The condenser and the evaporator include variable speed fans. The refrigeration system includes a battery to supply power to the refrigeration system. The battery is charged by one or more sources of power including the vehicle. The refrigeration system includes a control module configured to monitor one or more characteristics of the battery and to control one or more operating parameters of one or more of the compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator based on the one or more characteristics of the battery.

Abstract: A compressor is provided and may include a shell, a main bearing housing disposed within the shell, a driveshaft, a non-orbiting scroll member, and an orbiting scroll member. The driveshaft may be supported by the main bearing housing. The non-orbiting scroll member may be coupled to the main bearing housing and may include a first lubricant supply path in fluid communication with a lubricant source. The orbiting scroll member may be rotatably coupled to the driveshaft and may be meshingly engaged with the non-orbiting scroll member. The orbiting scroll member may include a recess that is moved between a first position in fluid communication with the first lubricant supply path and a second position fluidly isolated from the first lubricant supply path.

Abstract: A compressor includes a housing, a partition, a first scroll, a second scroll, and a valve assembly disposed within the second scroll. The valve assembly includes a valve housing, a valve body, and a first biasing member configured to displace the valve body from a first position to a second position relative to the valve housing. When in the first position, the valve body inhibits fluid communication between a fluid source and one of a series of compression pockets formed by the first and second scroll. When in the second position, the valve body allows fluid communication between the conduit and one or more of the series of compression pockets. The valve body is displaceable between the first and second positions in response to a change in operating temperature of the compressor.

Abstract: A climate-control system may include a working-fluid circuit and a cooling-fluid circuit. The working-fluid circuit may include a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, and an indoor heat exchanger. The compressor compresses a working fluid. The outdoor heat exchanger may receive compressed working fluid from the compressor. The expansion device may be disposed downstream of the outdoor heat exchanger. The indoor heat exchanger may be disposed downstream of the expansion device and upstream of the compressor. The cooling-fluid circuit may contain a cooling fluid in a heat transfer relationship with working fluid in the working-fluid circuit. The cooling-fluid circuit may include an underground heat exchanger conduit embedded in earth below an earth ground surface. The underground heat exchanger may selectively receive the cooling fluid such that heat from the cooling fluid is transferred to the earth.

Abstract: A method may include selecting a first set of values for a first set of parameters of one or more hardware components of an ice-making machine; identifying a water temperature at a water inlet of the ice-making machine; identifying an ambient air temperature surrounding the ice-making machine; calculating a second set of parameters of the ice-making machine based on at least a portion of the first set of values, the water temperature and the ambient temperature, the second set of parameters corresponding to operation of the ice-making machine in a freeze mode in which liquid water is cooled by an evaporator; and calculating a third set of parameters based on at least a portion of the first set of values, the water temperature and the ambient temperature, the third set of parameters corresponding to operation of the ice-making machine in a harvest mode.

Abstract: A system includes a compressor and a controller. The controller operates the compressor in a flooded-start control mode. The flooded start control mode includes operating the compressor according to at least one cycle including a first time period during which the compressor is on, followed by a second time period during which the compressor is off. The controller determines at least one of the first time period, the second time period, and a number of cycles for the flooded-start control mode. At least one of the first time period, the second time period, and the number of cycles is based on received asset data corresponding to at least one of a type and a characteristic of at least one component of the refrigeration system. The controller operates the compressor in the flooded-start control mode after determining the first time period, the second time period, and the number of cycles.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a startup mode control module that receives an off time of a compressor of the refrigeration system and an ambient temperature, determines whether the off time and the ambient temperature indicate that the compressor is in a flooded condition, and selects, based on the determination, between a normal startup mode and a flooded startup mode. A compressor control module operates the compressor in the normal startup mode in response to the startup mode control module selecting the normal startup mode, in the flooded startup mode in response to the startup mode control module selecting the flooded startup mode, and transitions from the flooded startup mode to the normal startup mode after a predetermined period associated with operating in the flooded startup mode. The compressor is operated at a first speed in the normal startup mode and at a second speed in the flooded startup mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods for compressor unloading detection are provided and include a compressor having a compression mechanism. A controller determines a predicted discharge temperature of the compressor, receives an actual discharge temperature of the compressor, and compares the predicted discharge temperature with the actual discharge temperature. The controller also compares a speed of the compressor with a speed threshold and detects unloading of the compression mechanism based on the comparison of the predicted discharge temperature with the actual discharge temperature and based on the comparison of the speed of the compressor with the speed threshold. The controller performs at least one of generating an alert and a remediating action in response to detecting the unloading of the compression mechanism.

Abstract: Scroll compressor designs are provided to minimize vibration, sound, and noise transmission. The scroll compressor has a bearing housing, and orbiting and non-orbiting scroll members. The non-orbiting scroll member has a radially extending flanged portion with at least one aperture substantially aligned with the axially extending bore. At least one fastener is disposed within the aperture and the bore. A sound isolation member contacts at least one of the non-orbiting scroll member, the fastener, or the bearing housing, to reduce or eliminate noise transmission. The sound isolation member may be formed of a polymeric composite having an acoustic impedance value greater than the surrounding materials. The sound isolation member may be an annular washer, an O-ring, or a biasing member, by way of non-limiting example. In other variations, fluid passages are provided within the fastener and/or bearing housing to facilitate entry of lubricant oil to further dampen sound and noise.

Abstract: Systems and methods that detect a loss of charge associated with a climate controlled environment are described in the present disclosure. In various embodiments, a controller receives operating condition parameters associated with a climate-controlled environment. The controller determines whether a compressor is operating in a first mode of operation or a second mode of operation. The controller applies a first model to the operating condition parameters when the compressor is operating in the first mode of operation to represent a loss of charge associated with the climate-controlled environment and applies a second model to the operating condition parameters when the compressor is operating in the second mode of operation to represent the loss of charge associated with the climate-controlled environment.

Abstract: A refrigeration system for a vehicle includes a compressor in fluid communication with a condenser and an evaporator. The compressor includes a variable speed motor and employs capacity modulation using refrigerant injection. The condenser and the evaporator include variable speed fans. The refrigeration system includes a battery to supply power to the refrigeration system. The battery is charged by one or more sources of power including the vehicle. The refrigeration system includes a control module configured to monitor one or more characteristics of the battery and to control one or more operating parameters of one or more of the compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator based on the one or more characteristics of the battery.

Abstract: A light-weight, high-strength compressor component having at least one fluid delivery feature that is formed via additive manufacturing is provided. The component may have at least one interior region comprising a lattice structure that comprises a plurality of repeating cells. A solid surface is disposed over the lattice structure. The interior region comprising the lattice structure has at least one fluid delivery feature for permitting fluid flow through the body portion of the light-weight, high-strength compressor component. The fluid delivery feature may be a flow channel, a fluid delivery port, a porous fluid delivery feature, or the like that serves to transfer fluids through the component, such as refrigerant and/or lubricant oils. Methods of making such compressor components via additive manufacturing processes are also provided.

Abstract: A monitoring system for a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) system of a residential or commercial building includes an evaporator unit device and four temperature sensors. The evaporator unit device includes an electrical sensor that measures current supplied to a circulator blower of the HVAC system. The measured current from the first electrical sensor is used to diagnose a problem with the circulator blower. The first temperature sensor that measures a temperature of refrigerant flowing between a condenser of the HVAC system and an expansion valve of the HVAC system. The second temperature sensor measures a temperature of refrigerant flowing between an evaporator and a compressor. The third temperature sensor measures a temperature of air flowing away from the evaporator. The fourth temperature sensor measures a temperature of air flowing toward the evaporator. The evaporator unit device transmits sensor data to a remote monitoring service over a data network.