US4912936A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Refrigeration control system and method
Assignee: Toshiba Corp
•
Filing: 1988-03-31
•
Granted: 1990-04-03
•
Expires: 2008-03-31
Abstract
Abstract A compressor controller of a refrigerating device comprises a power supply voltage detecting device, a voltage comparing device, and a compressor driving device. When the temperature in a compartment of the refrigerating device rises and the compressor is required to be driven to cool the compartment, the power supply voltage detecting device detects the voltage of the power supply which feeds power to the compressor. The voltage comparing device compares the power supply voltage with a reference voltage. When the power supply voltage is no lower than the reference voltage, the compressor driving device starts the compressor. The compressor controller also includes a compressor starting condition detecting device, a compressor halting device, and a voltage compensating device. The compressor starting condition detecting device detects the starting condition of the compressor by detecting the voltage or the current which is fed to the compressor by the power supply. When a compressor starting failure is detected, the compressor halting device halts the compressor immediately. Further, the voltage compensating device increases the reference voltage.
Inventors
- 👤 Kazuo Denpou
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:40
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25B; F25B49/00; G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/20; G05D23/24; F25B49/02; F25B49/022; F25B2700/00; F25B2700/15; F25B2700/151; F25B2700/21; F25B2700/2104
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A controller for a refrigerating device including a compressor, comprising: means for detecting a temperature in a compartment of the refrigerating device; means for detecting a voltage of a power supply feeding power to the compressor; processing means for: (1) comparing the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means with a set temperature, (2) comparing the power supply voltage detected by the voltage detecting means with a reference voltage, (3) generating a drive signal when the detected temperature is higher than the set temperature and the power supply voltage is no lower than the reference voltage, (4) determining whether the compressor has started successfully, (5) halting the drive signal when the processing means senses that the compressor has not started successfully and (6) increasing the reference voltage by and additional amount from the previously increased reference voltage each time the drive signal is halted in response to the halting function; and means for driving the compressor in response to the drive signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
A controller for a refrigerating device including a compressor, comprising: means for detecting a temperature in a compartment of the refrigerating device; means for detecting a voltage of a power supply feeding power to the compressor; processing means for: (1) comparing the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means with a set temperature, (2) comparing the power supply voltage detected by the voltage detecting means with a reference voltage, (3) generating a drive signal when the detected temperature is higher than the set temperature and the power supply voltage is no lower than the reference voltage, (4) determining whether the compressor has started successfully, (5) halting the drive signal when the processing means senses that the compressor has not started successfully and (6) increasing the reference voltage by and additional amount from the previously increased reference voltage each time the drive signal is halted in response to the halting function; and means for driving the compressor in response to the drive signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
A controller for a refrigerating device according to claim 1, wherein the processing means delays performing the successful start determining function a predetermined time after the drive signal is generated and accomplishes the successful start determining function by comparing the output of the voltage detecting means with a reference voltage, the halting function being carried out when the power supply voltage is lower than the reference voltage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A controller of a refrigerating device according to claim 1 further including memory means for storing the reference voltage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A controller of a refrigerating device according to claim 3 further including: means for detecting a current flowing through the compressor; and processing means which, when performing the successful start determining function, compares the current detected by the current detecting means with a predetermined current.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
A controller of a refrigerating device according to claim 4, wherein the processing means delays performing the successful start determining function a predetermined time after the drive signal is generated, the halting function being carried out when the current flowing through the compressor is greater than the predetermined current.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A controller of a refrigerating device according to claim 3 further including means for detecting a temperature of the compressor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
A controller of a refrigerating device according to claim 6, wherein the successful start determining function performed by the processing means compares the compressor temperature detected by the compressor detecting means with a predetermined temperature, the halting function being carried out when the compressor temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
167 words
A controller of a refrigeration device including a compressor, comprising: means for detecting a temperature in a compartment of the refrigerating device; means for detecting a voltage of a power supply feeding power to the compressor, the power supply voltage detecting means including a transformer, a rectifier and smoothing circuit, and an A/D converter, a primary winding of the transformer being connected to the power supply, a secondary winding thereof and being connected to an input terminal of the rectifier and smoothing circuit, and an output terminal thereof being connected to the A/D converter; processing means for (1) comparing the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means with a set temperature, (2) comparing the power supply voltage detected by the voltage detecting means with a reference voltage, and (3) generating a drive signal when the detected temperature is higher than the set temperature and the power supply voltage is no lower than the reference voltage; and means for driving the compressor in response to the drive signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
167 words
A controller of a refrigeration device including a compressor, comprising: means for detecting a temperature in a compartment of the refrigerating device; means for detecting a voltage of a power supply feeding power to the compressor, the power supply voltage detecting means including a transformer, a rectifier and smoothing circuit, and an A/D converter, a primary winding of the transformer being connected to the power supply, a secondary winding thereof and being connected to an input terminal of the rectifier and smoothing circuit, and an output terminal thereof being connected to the A/D converter; processing means for (1) comparing the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means with a set temperature, (2) comparing the power supply voltage detected by the voltage detecting means with a reference voltage, and (3) generating a drive signal when the detected temperature is higher than the set temperature and the power supply voltage is no lower than the reference voltage; and means for driving the compressor in response to the drive signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
A controller of a refrigerating device according to claim 8, wherein the compressor driving means includes a relay contact to be closed in accordance with the drive signal and opened when the drive signal is halted, a series circuit of the relay contact and the compressor being connected to the power supply in parallel with the primary winding of the transformer. PG,20
Claim 12
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for ensuring the successful starting of a compressor of a refrigerating device, comprising the steps of: comparing a voltage of a power supply for the compressor with a reference voltage; driving the compressor when the power supply voltage is no lower than the reference voltage; comparing again the power supply voltage with the reference voltage after the compressor has been driven for a predetermined time; halting the compressor when the power supply voltage is no lower than the reference voltage; and increasing the reference voltage by an additional amount from the previously increased reference voltage each time the compressor is halted in response to the halting function.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for ensuring the successful starting of a compressor of a refrigerating device, comprising the steps of: comparing a voltage of a power supply for the compressor with a reference voltage; driving the compressor when the power supply voltage is no lower than the reference voltage; comparing again the power supply voltage with the reference voltage after the compressor has been driven for a predetermined time; halting the compressor when the power supply voltage is no lower than the reference voltage; and increasing the reference voltage by an additional amount from the previously increased reference voltage each time the compressor is halted in response to the halting function.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 10 further comprising the steps of: comparing the compressor temperature with a predetermined temperature; and halting the compressor when the compressor temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for ensuring the successful starting of a compressor of a refrigerating device comprising the steps of: comparing a voltage of a power supply for the compressor with a reference voltage; driving the compressor when the power supply voltage is no lower than the reference voltage; comparing current flowing through the compressor with a predetermined current; halting the compressor when the current is greater than the predetermined current; and increasing the reference voltage by an additional amount from the previously increased reference voltage each time the compressor is halted in response to the halting function.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for ensuring the successful starting of a compressor of a refrigerating device comprising the steps of: comparing a voltage of a power supply for the compressor with a reference voltage; driving the compressor when the power supply voltage is no lower than the reference voltage; comparing current flowing through the compressor with a predetermined current; halting the compressor when the current is greater than the predetermined current; and increasing the reference voltage by an additional amount from the previously increased reference voltage each time the compressor is halted in response to the halting function.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
132 words
A controller of a refrigerating device including a compressor comprising: means for detecting a temperature in a compartment of the refrigerating device; means for detecting a voltage of a power supply feeding power to the compressor; processing means for (1) comparing the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means with a set temperature, the processing means delaying the performance of the temperature comparing function a predetermined time before each time it performs the temperature comparing function, (2) comparing the power supply voltage detected by the voltage detecting means with a reference voltage, and (3) generating a drive signal when the detected temperature is higher than the set temperature and the power supply voltage is no lower than the reference voltage; and means for driving the compressor in response to the drive signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
132 words
A controller of a refrigerating device including a compressor comprising: means for detecting a temperature in a compartment of the refrigerating device; means for detecting a voltage of a power supply feeding power to the compressor; processing means for (1) comparing the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means with a set temperature, the processing means delaying the performance of the temperature comparing function a predetermined time before each time it performs the temperature comparing function, (2) comparing the power supply voltage detected by the voltage detecting means with a reference voltage, and (3) generating a drive signal when the detected temperature is higher than the set temperature and the power supply voltage is no lower than the reference voltage; and means for driving the compressor in response to the drive signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-04-02 | 1993-10-02 | 1994-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-04-02 | 1997-10-02 | 1998-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-04-02 | 2001-10-02 | 2002-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |