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Method of compressor staging for a multi-compressor refrigeration system

Assignee: Trane International Inc
•
Filing: 1991-05-07
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Granted: 1992-06-23
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Expires: 2011-05-07
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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 21:18
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)

JPS5276702A Cited
US4114807A Cited
JPS5437944A Cited
US4679404A Cited

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

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