EP0147356A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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A control system for an electronic expansion valve in a refrigeration system
Assignee: Carrier Corp
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Filing: 1984-12-14
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2004-12-14
Abstract
Abstract A control system for an electronic expansion valve (10) in a refrigeration system (5) is discosed. The electronic expansion valve (10) incrementally controls refrigerant flow between a condenser (13) and an evaporator (11) of the refrigeration system (5). The electronic expansion valve (10) is operated by a digitally controllable electric motor (24) which incrementally adjusts the position of the electronic expansion valve (10) in response to electronic digital control signals supplied to the motor (24) from a microcomputer control system (23). The microcomputer control system (23) supplies the electronic digital control signals to the motor (24) in a preprogrammed manner in response to selected sensed operating conditions of the refrigeration system. Preferably, the electronic expansion valve (10) is controlled in response to superheat of refrigerant vapor flowing from the evaportor (11) to a compressor (12) of the refrigeration system (5).
Inventors
- 👤 John W. Schedel
- 👤 Richard G. Lord
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:02
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25B; F25B41/00; F25B41/30; F25B41/31; F25B41/34; F25B41/35; F25B49/00; F25B49/02; F25B2500/00; F25B2500/15; F25B2700/00; F25B2700/21; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B30/00; Y02B30/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A control system for a vapor compression refrigeration system including a compresssor, a condenser and an evaporator, said control system comprising: an expansion valve connected between the condenser and the evaporator to control refrigerant flow between the condenser and the evaporator depending on operating position of said expansion valve; digitally controllable electric motor means connected to the expansion valve for incrementally adjusting the operating position of the expansion valve in response to electronic digital control signals; a control means for processing electrical input signals according to preprogrammed procedures and for generating electronic digital control signals in response to the processed electrical input signal; conductor means for supplying the generated electronic digital control signals from the control means to the digitally controllable electric motor means; and sensor means, electrically connected to the control means, for sensing at least one operating condition of the refrigeration system and for supplying an electrical input signal to the control means which is a function of the sensed operating condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
A control system for a vapor compression refrigeration system including a compresssor, a condenser and an evaporator, said control system comprising: an expansion valve connected between the condenser and the evaporator to control refrigerant flow between the condenser and the evaporator depending on operating position of said expansion valve; digitally controllable electric motor means connected to the expansion valve for incrementally adjusting the operating position of the expansion valve in response to electronic digital control signals; a control means for processing electrical input signals according to preprogrammed procedures and for generating electronic digital control signals in response to the processed electrical input signal; conductor means for supplying the generated electronic digital control signals from the control means to the digitally controllable electric motor means; and sensor means, electrically connected to the control means, for sensing at least one operating condition of the refrigeration system and for supplying an electrical input signal to the control means which is a function of the sensed operating condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A control system for a vapor compression refrigeration system as recited in claim 1 wherein the digitally controllable electric motor means comprises: a stepper motor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
119 words
3: A control system for-a vapor compression refrigeration system as recited in claim 1 wherein the control means comprises: a microcomputer for receiving the electrical input signal from the sensor means, for processing the electrical input signal according to preprogrammed procedures, and for generating control signals in response to the processed electrical input signal; an electrical power supply; and an electronic switching device electrically connected to the microcomputer to receive the control signals generated by the microcomputer, and electrically connected between the electrical power supply and the conductor means to provide electronic digital control signals from the power supply through the conductor means to the digitally controllable electric motor in response to the control signals received from the microcomputer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
A control system for a vapor compression refrigeration system as recited in claim 1 wherein the sensor means comprises: temperature responsive resistance means for providing an electrical input signal to the control means which is a function of superheat of refrigerant vapor flowing from the evaporator to the compressor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
A control system for a vapor compression refrigeration system as recited in claim 4 wherein the temperature responsive resistance means comprises: a first thermistor located at an outlet from the evaporator to sense the temperature of refrigerant vapor flowing from the evaporator to the compressor; and a second thermistor located at an inlet into the evaporator to sense the saturation temperature of refrigerant in the evaporator.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of controlling refrigerant flow in a refrigeration system from a condenser to an evaporator through a digitally controllable electronic expansion valve, which comprises the steps of: sensing at least one operating condition of the refrigeration system; generating an electrical signal which is a function of the sensed operating condition; processing the generated electrical signal according to preprogrammed procedures to generate an electronic digital control signal; and supplying the electronic digital control signal to the digitally controllable electronic expansion valve to incrementally adjust refrigerant flow through the expansion valve in response to the electronic digital control signal.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of controlling refrigerant flow in a refrigeration system from a condenser to an evaporator through a digitally controllable electronic expansion valve, which comprises the steps of: sensing at least one operating condition of the refrigeration system; generating an electrical signal which is a function of the sensed operating condition; processing the generated electrical signal according to preprogrammed procedures to generate an electronic digital control signal; and supplying the electronic digital control signal to the digitally controllable electronic expansion valve to incrementally adjust refrigerant flow through the expansion valve in response to the electronic digital control signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method of regulating refrigerant flow in a refrigeration system as recited in claim 6 wherein the sensing step comprises: sensing superheat of refrigerant vapor flowing from the evaporator to the compressor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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