US5123256A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of compressor staging for a multi-compressor refrigeration system
Assignee: Trane International Inc
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Filing: 1991-05-07
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Granted: 1992-06-23
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Expires: 2011-05-07
Abstract
Abstract A method of staging a plurality of compressors in a refrigeration system. The method comprises the steps of: accumulating a first operative condition for each compressor; accumulating a second operative condition for each compressor; initiating operation of whichever compressor has the lowest accumulation of the first operative condition whenever a system controller calls for an increase in system capacity; and terminating operation of whichever compressor has the greatest accumulation of the second operative condition whenever the system controller calls for a reduction in system capacity.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert L. Oltman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:07
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25B; F25B49/00; F25B49/02; F25B49/022; F25B2400/00; F25B2400/07; F25B2400/075; F25B2500/00; F25B2500/26; F25B2600/00; F25B2600/11; F25B2600/111; F25B2600/25; F25B2600/2513; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B30/00; Y02B30/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of staging a plurality of compressors in a refrigeration system comprising the steps of: accumulating a first operative condition for each compressor; accumulating a second operative condition for each compressor where the second operative condition is distinct from the first operative condition; initiating operation of whichever compressor has the lowest accumulation of the first operative condition whenever a system controller calls for an increase in system capacity; and terminating operation of whichever compressor has the greatest accumulation of the second operative condition whenever the system controller calls for a reduction in system capacity.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of staging a plurality of compressors in a refrigeration system comprising the steps of: accumulating a first operative condition for each compressor; accumulating a second operative condition for each compressor where the second operative condition is distinct from the first operative condition; initiating operation of whichever compressor has the lowest accumulation of the first operative condition whenever a system controller calls for an increase in system capacity; and terminating operation of whichever compressor has the greatest accumulation of the second operative condition whenever the system controller calls for a reduction in system capacity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first operative condition is the number of compressor starts and the second operative condition is the compressor run time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first operative condition is compressor run time, and the second operative condition is compressor starts.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of staging a plurality of compressors in a refrigeration system comprising the steps of: accumulating the number of starts for each compressor; accumulating the run time for each compressor; initiating operation of whichever compressor has the lowest accumulation of starts whenever a system controller calls for an increase in system capacity; and terminating operation of whichever compressor has the greatest accumulation of run time whenever the system controller calls for a reduction in system capacity.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of staging a plurality of compressors in a refrigeration system comprising the steps of: accumulating the number of starts for each compressor; accumulating the run time for each compressor; initiating operation of whichever compressor has the lowest accumulation of starts whenever a system controller calls for an increase in system capacity; and terminating operation of whichever compressor has the greatest accumulation of run time whenever the system controller calls for a reduction in system capacity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
111 words
A refrigeration system comprising: a plurality of compressors; and a system controller operatively connected to each of said plurality of compressors, said controller including: means for accumulating a first operative condition for each compressor; means for accumulating a second operative condition for each compressor where the second operative condition is distinct from the first operative condition; means for initiating operation of whichever compressor has the lowest accumulation of the first operative condition whenever the system controller calls for an increase in system capacity; and means for terminating operation of whichever compressor has the greatest accumulation of the second operative condition whenever the system controller calls for a reduction in system capacity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
111 words
A refrigeration system comprising: a plurality of compressors; and a system controller operatively connected to each of said plurality of compressors, said controller including: means for accumulating a first operative condition for each compressor; means for accumulating a second operative condition for each compressor where the second operative condition is distinct from the first operative condition; means for initiating operation of whichever compressor has the lowest accumulation of the first operative condition whenever the system controller calls for an increase in system capacity; and means for terminating operation of whichever compressor has the greatest accumulation of the second operative condition whenever the system controller calls for a reduction in system capacity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 5 wherein the first operative condition is the number of compressor starts and the second operative condition is the compressor run time.
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) | 1995-06-23 | 1995-12-23 | 1996-06-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-06-23 | 1999-12-23 | 2000-06-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-06-23 | 2003-12-23 | 2004-06-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |