Abstract: A method for controlling a system includes receiving system demand data; processing the system demand data; defining a first value of a first system operating parameter; receiving system condition data; associating the first value of the first system operating parameter with a first operating map function; determining whether the system condition data exceeds a threshold of the first operating map function; determining whether the system condition data exceeds a threshold of a second operating map function responsive to determining that the system condition data exceeds the threshold of the first operating map function; and changing the first value of the first system operating parameter to a second value associated with the second operating map function responsive to determining that the system condition data does not exceed the threshold of the second operating map function.

Abstract: A method for controlling a system comprising, receiving system demand data (402), processing the system demand data (404), defining a first system operating parameter (404), receiving system condition data (406), associating the system condition data with an operating map function (406), determining whether the system condition data exceeds a threshold of the operating map function (408), and changing the first system operating parameter responsive to determining that the system condition data exceeds the threshold of the operating map function (411).

Abstract: A control system for a crank case heater for an inverter operated compressor of a cooling system includes a contactor operably connected to the crank case heater and an inverter controller compressor and at least one compressor temperature sensor disposed at the compressor to sense a compressor temperature and an compressor internal temperature sensor. A controller is operably connected to the crank case heater and the at least one compressor temperature sensor and configured to close the contactor to energize the crank case heater independently from operation of the compressor when the at least one compressor temperature sensor senses a compressor temperature below a desired threshold.

Abstract: A heat pump is provided having a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger. A compressor is fluidly coupled to the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. A reversing valve is fluidly coupled between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. The reversing valve is adapted to flow of a refrigerant from the compressor to the first heat exchanger during heating mode and to the second heat exchanger during a cooling mode. A thermal expansion valve is positioned between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. An electronic expansion valve is positioned between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. A controller is electrically coupled to operate the electronic expansion valve between a fully open, a fully closed and a modulated position depending on the operation of the compressor.

Abstract: A refrigerant vapor compression system includes a compressor, an expansion valve, a compressor speed sensor operatively connected to the compressor, an ambient temperature sensor, and a controller operatively coupled to the expansion valve, compressor speed sensor and ambient temperature sensor. The controller including a superheat control that is configured and disposed to selectively activate the expansion valve to establish a desired superheat value based on a speed of the compressor as sensed by the compressor speed sensor and ambient temperature as sensed by the ambient temperature sensor.

Abstract: A method for determining a level of refrigerant charge in a vapor compression system having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator operatively connected in serial relationship in a refrigerant flow circuit having a refrigerant, includes receiving information indicative of at least one of a compressor torque or compressor current; and determining whether the refrigerant charge is within a defined tolerance or whether the refrigerant is to be added or recovered in response to the receiving of the information.

Abstract: A method for determining the adequacy of the refrigerant charge in an air conditioning system based upon both the instantaneous degree of subcooling present in the liquid refrigerant in the refrigerant line at a location whereat only liquid refrigerant is present and a calculated average subcooling value based upon accumulated instantaneous subcooling values. The adequacy of the refrigerant charge in the system may be indicated by an alert indicating “check charge” or by a series of lights including a first indicator light indicating that the refrigerant charge is low, a second indicator light indicating that the refrigerant charge is high, and a third indicator light indicating that the refrigerant charge is correct.

Abstract: A method for controlling a system comprising, receiving system demand data (402), processing the system demand data (404), defining a first system operating parameter (404), receiving system condition data (406), associating the system condition data with an operating map function (406), determining whether the system condition data exceeds a threshold of the operating map function (408), and changing the first system operating parameter responsive to determining that the system condition data exceeds the threshold of the operating map function (411).

Abstract: A heat pump is provided having a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger. A compressor is fluidly coupled to the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. A reversing valve is fluidly coupled between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. The reversing valve is adapted to flow of a refrigerant from the compressor to the first heat exchanger during heating mode and to the second heat exchanger during a cooling mode. A thermal expansion valve is positioned between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. An electronic expansion valve is positioned between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. A controller is electrically coupled to operate the electronic expansion valve between a fully open, a fully closed and a modulated position depending on the operation of the compressor.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus externally detects open protector contacts inside of a compressor. The compressor includes a compressor motor having a run winding and a start winding. The compressor motor also includes internal protector contacts that open the electrical circuit to the “C” terminal in a protection condition. A compressor running indicator circuit is electrically connected between the “S” and the “R” terminals to indicate a compressor running condition. Also, a protection indicator circuit is electrically connected between the “C” and the “S” terminals to indicate a voltage present across the “C” and the “S” terminals. The protection indicator circuit is also coupled to the compressor running indicator circuit such that the protection indicator circuit is disabled when the compressor is running normally and the protection indicator is enabled and indicates when protector contacts open inside of the compressor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for indicating the status of the refrigerant charge in an air conditioning system based upon the degree of subcooling present in the condensed refrigerant system temperature measurements. The status of the refrigerant charge in the system is indicated in real-time on a service panel for access by a field service technician. The status of the refrigerant charge in the system on a time-average basis for a specified period of operation is presented on an indicator panel. The indicator panel includes a first indicator light indicating that the refrigerant charge is low, a second indicator light indicating that the refrigerant charge is high, and a third indicator light indicating that the refrigerant charge is correct.

Abstract: A method for determining the adequacy of the refrigerant charge in an air conditioning system based upon both the instantaneous degree of subcooling present in the liquid refrigerant in the refrigerant line at a location whereat only liquid refrigerant is present and a calculated average subcooling value based upon accumulated instantaneous subcooling values. The adequacy of the refrigerant charge in the system may be indicated by an alert indicating “check charge” or by a series of lights including a first indicator light indicating that the refrigerant charge is low, a second indicator light indicating that the refrigerant charge is high, and a third indicator light indicating that the refrigerant charge is correct.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus externally detects open protector contacts inside of a compressor. The compressor includes a compressor motor having a run winding and a start winding. The compressor motor also includes internal protector contacts that open the electrical circuit to the “C” terminal in a protection condition. A compressor running indicator circuit is electrically connected between the “S” and the “R” terminals to indicate a compressor running condition. Also, a protection indicator circuit is electrically connected between the “C” and the “S” terminals to indicate a voltage present across the “C” and the “S” terminals. The protection indicator circuit is also coupled to the compressor running indicator circuit such that the protection indicator circuit is disabled when the compressor is running normally and the protection indicator is enabled and indicates when protector contacts open inside of the compressor.

Abstract: The refrigerant charge adequacy of an air conditioning system is determined by the sensing of two temperatures in the system, one being at a midpoint in a condenser coil and the other being the temperature in the liquid line of the condenser discharge, with the difference then being indicative of the degree of subcooling, which, in turn, may be indicative of refrigerant charge condition. The method is refined by measuring a third temperature at the compressor discharge, with the three temperature values then being used to calculate a pair of residual values which provide an indication of whether the two temperature approach is useful in determining charge adequacy under the existing conditions and if not, whether the system is overcharged or undercharged.

Abstract: The refrigerant charge adequacy of an air conditioning system is determined by the sensing of two temperatures in the system, one being at a midpoint in a condenser coil and the other being the temperature in the liquid line of the condenser discharge, with the difference then being indicative of the degree of subcooling, which, in turn, may be indicative of refrigerant charge condition. The method is refined by measuring a third temperature at the compressor discharge, with the three temperature values then being used to calculate a pair of residual values which provide an indication of whether the two temperature approach is useful in determining charge adequacy under the existing conditions and if not, whether the system is overcharged or undercharged.

Abstract: The sufficiency of refrigerant charge in an air conditioning system is determined by a comparison of two sensed temperatures in the system, one being the liquid line temperature and the other being either the outdoor temperature or the condenser coil temperature. In one embodiment the two sensed temperatures are displayed on respective thermochromic strips which are so calibrated and juxtaposed as to provide a visual indication, by the relative positions of the two displayed sensed temperatures, as to whether the refrigerant charge is adequate. In another embodiment, the sensed liquid line temperature is displayed by way of a plurality of LEDs and the other temperature is displayed by way of a marker on a temperature scale. If the two displayed temperatures are aligned, then the refrigerant charge is optimized, and if they are not aligned, the system is undercharged or overcharged.

Abstract: A braze-free connector for attaching a flow line to an operating unit of a flow system. The connector has a central passage into which the flow line is inserted through a tapered entranceway. The entranceway opens into a radially expanded cavity that surrounds a section of the flow line. The cavity is filled with a pressure activated adhesive. A ferrule is mounted in the entranceway and is rotatably mounted upon a threaded nut which mates with a male thread on the connector body. As the nut is advanced, the ferrule moves axially into the cavity to activate the adhesive, and at the same time, is forced radially into tight sealing contact with the flow line.

Abstract: A control box kit for twinning fan coils in a heat pump or AC installation includes electro-mechanical isolation relays and auxiliary limit switches. Existing fan coil transformers are disconnected to avoid component failure due to high voltage wiring variations. A single transformer is connected to operate both systems. Isolation relays for the reversing valves and supplemental electric heaters in a heat pump system allow both heat pumps to have independent defrost cycles. The accessory transformer and isolation relays are packaged and pre-wired in a control box for easy connection in the field.

Abstract: A control box kit for twinning fan coils in a heat pump or AC installation includes electro-mechanical isolation relays and auxiliary limit switches. Existing fan coil transformers are disconnected to avoid component failure due to high voltage wiring variations. A single transformer is connected to operate both systems. Isolation relays for the reversing valves and supplemental electric heaters in a heat pump system allow both heat pumps to have independent defrost cycles. The accessory transformer and isolation relays are packaged and pre-wired in a control box for easy connection in the field.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an accumulator device which has an outer housing having an inlet and an outlet, and a U tube contained within the housing. The device also includes a filter which is positioned inside the housing adjacent the inlet. Dryer means in the form of a desiccant are also contained inside the housing. The device is positioned upstream of a compressor and functions to filter unwanted debris which would otherwise enter the compressor and cause potential damage.