Abstract: A method for controlling the temperature of a compressor having a motor including a rotor and a stator, and a control assembly operably coupled to the compressor, the method comprising the steps of: applying an initial current to the compressor motor; measuring a voltage across the compressor motor and determining a resistance of the compressor motor based on the initial current and a measured voltage; determining whether the determined resistance is less than or equal to a desired resistance; applying a secondary current to the compressor motor if the determined resistance is less than or equal to the desired resistance.

Abstract: A high pressure threshold detection circuit (100) is provided. The high pressure threshold detection circuit includes a pressure transducer (110) for measuring a pressure of a medium at an outlet (104) of a compressor (102). The high pressure threshold detection circuit (100) includes a controller (120). The controller (120) includes a comparator (123) and a switch (125). The comparator (123) and the switch (125) are electrically coupled. The switch (125) is electrically coupled to an enable circuit (131). The pressure transducer (110) is electrically coupled to the comparator (123) to provide a signal to the comparator (123) based on the pressure measured at the outlet (104). The comparator (123) outputs a control signal (111) to the switch (125) when the signal (111) is equal to or greater than a reference value (126). The switch (125) opens the enable circuit (131) to disable compression of the medium by the compressor (102) in response to the control signal (111).

Abstract: A cooling system includes a compressor operable to compress refrigerant, an accumulator upstream from the compressor. The accumulator is operable to collect liquid from the refrigerant. A sensor is located upstream from the accumulator. The sensor is operable to detect information including a temperature and a pressure of the refrigerant. The controller is in communication with the sensor. The controller is operable to determine a rate of accumulation of liquid in the accumulator based on the information from the sensor. A method of operating a cooling system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for determining when to initiate a defrost mode of a heat pump includes monitoring a heating capacity of an evaporator of the heat pump during operation of the heat pump in a heating mode, determining a threshold associated with the heating capacity, and initiating a defrost mode when the heating capacity of the evaporator is less than or equal to the threshold.

Abstract: A method of heating a component within a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is provided. The method includes maintaining a non-heating condition of the HVAC system component when the HVAC system component is in a non-operational state. The method also includes determining when the HVAC system component will switch from the non-operational state to an operational state, the determination based on a threshold parameter being met. The method further includes operating a heating device from the non-heating condition to a heating condition to heat the HVAC system component from a temperature to a target temperature suitable for the operational state of the HVAC system component.

Abstract: A cooling system includes a compressor operable to compress refrigerant, an accumulator upstream from the compressor. The accumulator is operable to collect liquid from the refrigerant. A sensor is located upstream from the accumulator. The sensor is operable to detect information including a temperature and a pressure of the refrigerant. The controller is in communication with the sensor. The controller is operable to determine a rate of accumulation of liquid in the accumulator based on the information from the sensor. A method of operating a cooling system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of operating a vapor compression system configured for environmentally conditioning a space comprising: providing a compressor of the vapor compression system with a variable speed drive, operating the compressor at a first speed in response to a start command, determining a demand speed of the compressor based at least in part on a user selected target value for an environmental condition within the space, determining a maximum allowable compressor speed of the compressor based at least in part on a condition of a parameter of the vapor compression system, reducing the speed of the compressor from the first speed to a second speed, maintaining the speed of the compressor below the first speed, and operating the compressor at the demand speed once a startup condition is satisfied.

Abstract: A method of operating a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes monitoring a parameter of the HVAC system associated with a temperature of a refrigerant at a heat exchanger, determining if the HVAC system is in an operating condition associated with frost accumulation at the heat exchanger, and adjusting a flow rate of an airflow across the heat exchanger in response to determining that the HVAC system is in the operating condition associated with frost accumulation at the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An illustrative example refrigerant system includes a compressor configured to pressurize a refrigerant fluid. The compressor includes a sump portion. A heater is situated to heat at least the sump portion. A controller is configured to selectively operate the heater to apply heat to at least the sump portion while the compressor is off to establish and maintain a superheat condition in the compressor.

Abstract: A method of operating a heat pump system comprising: operating the heat pump system in a demand operation heating mode, wherein the demand operation heating mode comprises controlling an opening amount of an expansion valve based on a superheat difference between a compressor inlet superheat value and a target compressor inlet superheat value, and controlling a flowrate of the refrigerant through a compressor based on a thermal demand difference between a thermal output of the indoor heat exchanger and a customer thermal demand; monitoring with the one or more controllers a parameter of the refrigerant cycle indicative of a charge imbalance condition; and transitioning operation with the one or more controllers to a charge compensation mode when the parameter satisfies a first threshold condition, wherein the charge compensation mode comprises performing with the one or more controllers a charge imbalance mitigation strategy.

Abstract: A method of performing a defrost operation in a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system having a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, the method including determining that the defrost operation is needed; determining a capacity for the defrost operation in response to one or more prior defrost operations; beginning the defrost operation at the determined capacity; monitoring a defrost parameter; determining if the defrost parameter indicates a need for increased capacity; and increasing the capacity of the defrost operation when the defrost parameter indicates the need for increased capacity.

Abstract: A refrigerant system includes a compressor configured to pressurize a refrigerant fluid. The compressor includes a sump portion. A heater is situated to heat at least the sump portion. A controller is configured to selectively operate the heater to apply heat to at least the sump portion while the compressor is off and continue operating the heater when the compressor turns on until a temperature of the compressor or a temperature of fluid discharged from the compressor satisfies at least one criterion.

Abstract: In a method for operating a compressor (22) having an inlet (26) and an outlet (28), the method includes: running the compressor to compress a fluid; shutting down (422) the compressor; determining (420) a condition-dependent threshold restart pressure difference (threshold) across the compressor; relieving the pressure difference to reach the threshold; and, after the threshold is reached, restarting (434) the compressor.

Abstract: A method for controlling the temperature of a compressor having a motor including a rotor and a stator, and a control assembly operably coupled to the compressor, the method comprising the steps of: applying an initial current to the compressor motor; measuring a voltage across the compressor motor and determining a resistance of the compressor motor based on the initial current and a measured voltage; determining whether the determined resistance is less than or equal to a desired resistance; applying a secondary current to the compressor motor if the determined resistance is less than or equal to the desired resistance.

Abstract: A method of heating a component within a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is provided. The method includes maintaining a non-heating condition of the HVAC system component when the HVAC system component is in a non-operational state. The method also includes determining when the HVAC system component will switch from the non-operational state to an operational state, the determination based on a threshold parameter being met. The method further includes operating a heating device from the non-heating condition to a heating condition to heat the HVAC system component from a temperature to a target temperature suitable for the operational state of the HVAC system component.

Abstract: A high pressure threshold detection circuit (100) is provided. The high pressure threshold detection circuit includes a pressure transducer (110) for measuring a pressure of a medium at an outlet (104) of a compressor (102). The high pressure threshold detection circuit (100) includes a controller (120). The controller (120) includes a comparator (123) and a switch (125). The comparator (123) and the switch (125) are electrically coupled. The switch (125) is electrically coupled to an enable circuit (131). The pressure transducer (110) is electrically coupled to the comparator (123) to provide a signal to the comparator (123) based on the pressure measured at the outlet (104). The comparator (123) outputs a control signal (111) to the switch (125) when the signal (111) is equal to or greater than a reference value (126). The switch (125) opens the enable circuit (131) to disable compression of the medium by the compressor (102) in response to the control signal (111).

Abstract: An illustrative example refrigerant system includes a compressor configured to pressurize a refrigerant fluid. The compressor includes a sump portion. A heater is situated to heat at least the sump portion. A controller is configured to selectively operate the heater to apply heat to at least the sump portion while the compressor is off to establish and maintain a superheat condition in the compressor.

Abstract: An illustrative example method of controlling a heat pump system includes operating in a defrost mode to provide heat to an outdoor heat exchanger for defrosting at least a portion of the outdoor heat exchanger, controlling a fan to be inoperative during the defrost mode, operating in a heating mode to provide heat within a temperature-conditioned space subsequent to operating in the defrost mode, controlling the fan to remain inoperative for an initial period at a beginning of operating in the heating mode, and controlling the fan to operate during the heating mode after the initial period to cause airflow across at least the portion of the outdoor heat exchanger.

Abstract: An illustrative example refrigerant system includes a compressor configured to pressurize a refrigerant fluid. The compressor includes a sump portion. A heater is situated to heat at least the sump portion. A controller is configured to selectively operate the heater to apply heat to at least the sump portion while the compressor is off and continue operating the heater when the compressor turns on until a temperature of the compressor or a temperature of fluid discharged from the compressor satisfies at least one criterion.

Abstract: A heating and cooling system includes a compressor having a discharge outlet and a suction inlet; a first heat exchanger; a second heat exchanger; a four-way valve including: a body including a first port connected to the discharge outlet, a second port connected to the first heat exchanger, a third port connected to the suction inlet and a fourth port connected to the second heat exchanger; a slider positioned in the body; and an actuator assembly configured to impart linear motion to the slider; and a controller configured to send a command to the actuator assembly to move the slider to one of a first position, a second position or a third position.