Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling an expansion valve of a climate control system evaporator coil. An evaporator coil temperature sensor senses temperature of refrigerant within the evaporator coil near the evaporator coil outlet. A controller determines a control set point based on the refrigerant temperature near the evaporator outlet. The control set point is used to determine a valve opening area to regulate refrigerant flow into the evaporator coil such that temperature of refrigerant at the evaporator coil outlet is within a temperature band having a lower bound within a predetermined range above the liquid-to-vapor transition temperature.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling an expansion valve of a climate control system evaporator coil. An evaporator coil temperature sensor senses temperature of refrigerant within the evaporator coil near the evaporator coil outlet. A controller determines a control set point based on the refrigerant temperature near the evaporator outlet. The control set point is used to determine a valve opening area to regulate refrigerant flow into the evaporator coil such that temperature of refrigerant at the evaporator coil outlet is within a temperature band having a lower bound within a predetermined range above the liquid-to-vapor transition temperature.

Abstract: A valve is provided that comprises a valve chamber including first and second valve port openings in communication with first and second inlet/outlets, respectively. A shaft is rotatably disposed in the valve chamber. A first valve plate is rotatably coupled to the shaft that is disposed in the valve chamber over the first valve port opening. The first valve plate has a first opening positioned so as to align with the first valve port opening. The first valve plate is configured to rotate from its closed position covering the first valve port opening to an open position, where rotation of the first valve plate adjustably positions at least a portion of the first opening over the first valve port opening. A second valve plate is configured to rotate with the first valve plate, and to cover the second valve port opening.

Abstract: A control system for an expansion valve and evaporator of an air conditioner system is provided that comprises an expansion valve having a valve element that is movable relative to a valve port for varying an opening area to regulate the flow of refrigerant to an evaporator coil. The evaporator coil has an inlet and an outlet, and is configured to conduct heat to a refrigerant flowing through the evaporator coil, where the exiting refrigerant temperature is dependent on the refrigerant flow rate. The control system for controlling the expansion valve includes an evaporator coil outlet temperature sensor, which is configured to sense the temperature of refrigerant within the evaporator coil near the outlet of the evaporator coil. A controller is in communication with the evaporator coil outlet temperature sensor for sensing temperature of refrigerant near the evaporator outlet, and is configured to determine a control set point based on the refrigerant temperature near the evaporator outlet.

Abstract: A valve is provided that comprises a valve chamber including first and second valve port openings in communication with first and second inlet/outlets, respectively. A shaft is rotatably disposed in the valve chamber. A first valve plate is rotatably coupled to the shaft that is disposed in the valve chamber over the first valve port opening. The first valve plate has a first opening positioned so as to align with the first valve port opening. The first valve plate is configured to rotate from its closed position covering the first valve port opening to an open position, where rotation of the first valve plate adjustably positions at least a portion of the first opening over the first valve port opening. A second valve plate is configured to rotate with the first valve plate, and to cover the second valve port opening.

Abstract: A flow valve is provided that comprises a valve chamber including first and second valve port openings in communication with first and second inlet/outlets. The valve further includes a shaft rotatably disposed in the valve chamber, and a first valve plate rotatably coupled to the shaft that is disposed in the valve chamber over the first valve port opening. The first valve plate has a first tapered slot positioned therein so as to align with the first valve port opening. The first valve plate is configured to rotate from its closed position covering the first valve port opening to an open position, where rotation of the first valve plate adjustably positions a wider or narrower portion of the first tapered slot over the first valve port opening. The valve further includes a second valve plate that is configured to rotate with the first valve plate, and to cover the second valve port opening.

Abstract: A stepper motor and controller are provided for controllably adjusting the angular displacement of a rotor. The stepper motor has a plurality of stator coils that are configured to effect rotation of the rotor upon application of a voltage thereto. The stepper motor further includes one or more sensing coils, where rotation of the rotor generates an induced voltage in the one or more sensing coils. A controller is included for processing the induced voltage signals, and is configured to output a constant vector value that does not change in value where the induced voltage signals are indicative of the rotor rotating in a continuous manner, and to output a diverging vector value where the induced voltage signals are indicative of the rotor being inhibited from rotating. The controller is configured to determine the rotor's angular displacement from the constant vector value, and to detect occurrence of the rotor being inhibited from rotating from a diverging vector value.

Abstract: A control system for an expansion valve and evaporator of an air conditioner system is provided that comprises an expansion valve having a valve element that is movable relative to a valve port for varying an opening area to regulate the flow of refrigerant to an evaporator coil. The evaporator coil has an inlet and an outlet, and is configured to conduct heat to a refrigerant flowing through the evaporator coil, where the exiting refrigerant temperature is dependent on the refrigerant flow rate. The control system for controlling the expansion valve includes an evaporator coil outlet temperature sensor, which is configured to sense the temperature of refrigerant within the evaporator coil near the outlet of the evaporator coil. A controller is in communication with the evaporator coil outlet temperature sensor for sensing temperature of refrigerant near the evaporator outlet, and is configured to determine a control set point based on the refrigerant temperature near the evaporator outlet.

Abstract: A stepper motor and controller are provided for controllably adjusting the angular displacement of a rotor. The stepper motor has a plurality of stator coils that are configured to effect rotation of the rotor upon application of a voltage thereto. The stepper motor further includes one or more sensing coils, where rotation of the rotor generates an induced voltage in the one or more sensing coils. A controller is included for processing the induced voltage signals, and is configured to output a constant vector value that does not change in value where the induced voltage signals are indicative of the rotor rotating in a continuous manner, and to output a diverging vector value where the induced voltage signals are indicative of the rotor being inhibited from rotating. The controller is configured to determine the rotor's angular displacement from the constant vector value, and to detect occurrence of the rotor being inhibited from rotating from a diverging vector value.

Abstract: A flow valve is provided that comprises a valve chamber including first and second valve port openings in communication with first and second inlet/outlets. The valve further includes a shaft rotatably disposed in the valve chamber, and a first valve plate rotatably coupled to the shaft that is disposed in the valve chamber over the first valve port opening. The first valve plate has a first tapered slot positioned therein so as to align with the first valve port opening. The first valve plate is configured to rotate from its closed position covering the first valve port opening to an open position, where rotation of the first valve plate adjustably positions a wider or narrower portion of the first tapered slot over the first valve port opening. The valve further includes a second valve plate that is configured to rotate with the first valve plate, and to cover the second valve port opening.