Variable speed compressor protection system and method

1. A system comprising:

a compressor connected to a condenser;

a discharge line temperature sensor that outputs a discharge line temperature signal corresponding to a discharge line temperature of refrigerant leaving the compressor;

a control module connected to the discharge line temperature sensor, said control module receiving compressor power data, determining a saturated condenser temperature as a function of the compressor power data and a speed of the compressor, calculating a discharge superheat temperature based on the saturated condenser temperature and the discharge line temperature, monitoring a flood back condition of the compressor by comparing the discharge superheat temperature with a predetermined threshold, and, when the discharge superheat temperature is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold, increasing the speed of the compressor or decreasing an opening of an expansion valve associated with the compressor.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the predetermined threshold is thirty degrees Fahrenheit.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the control module increases the speed of the compressor when the discharge superheat temperature is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the control module decreases the opening of the expansion valve when the discharge superheat temperature is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the control module monitors a sudden flood back condition by determining whether the discharge superheat temperature decreases by a predetermined amount within a predetermined time period.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the control module receives a discharge pressure signal corresponding to a discharge pressure of refrigerant leaving the compressor and determines the saturated condenser temperature based on the discharge pressure.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising an evaporator connected to the compressor and the condenser, wherein the control module receives compressor power data, determines a saturated evaporator temperature as a function of the saturated condenser temperature, the discharge line temperature, and the speed of the compressor, and determines the saturated condenser temperature as a function of the compressor power data, the speed of the compressor, and the saturated evaporator temperature.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the control module performs multiple iterations of determining the saturated condenser temperature and the saturated evaporator temperature to achieve convergence.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the control module receives compressor power data and determines the saturated condenser temperature as a function of the compressor power data, the speed of the compressor, and the discharge line temperature.

10. A method comprising:

receiving, with a control module, compressor power data of a compressor;

determining, with the control module, a saturated condenser temperature of a condenser connected to the compressor as a function of the compressor power data and a speed of the compressor;

receiving, with the control module, a discharge line temperature signal that corresponds to a discharge line temperature of refrigerant leaving the compressor;

calculating, with the control module, a discharge superheat temperature based on the saturated condenser temperature and the discharge line temperature;

monitoring, with the control module, a flood back condition of the compressor by comparing the discharge superheat temperature with a predetermined threshold; and

increasing the speed of the compressor or decreasing an opening of an expansion valve, with the control module, when the discharge superheat temperature is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the predetermined threshold is thirty degrees Fahrenheit.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the control module increases the speed of the compressor when the discharge superheat temperature is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the control module decreases the opening of the expansion valve when the discharge superheat temperature is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold.

14. The method of claim 10 further comprising monitoring, with the control module, a sudden flood back condition by determining whether the discharge superheat temperature decreases by a predetermined amount within a predetermined time period.

15. The method of claim 10 further comprising receiving, with the control module, a discharge pressure signal corresponding to a discharge pressure of refrigerant leaving the compressor and determining the saturated condenser temperature based on the discharge pressure.

16. The method of claim 10 further comprising receiving, with the control module, compressor power data, determining a saturated evaporator temperature of an evaporator connected to the compressor and the condenser as a function of the saturated condenser temperature, the discharge line temperature, and the speed of the compressor, and determining the saturated condenser temperature as a function of the compressor power data, the speed of the compressor, and the saturated evaporator temperature.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising performing, with the control module, multiple iterations of determining the saturated condenser temperature and the saturated evaporator temperature to achieve convergence.

18. The method of claim 10 further comprising receiving, with the control module, compressor power data and determining the saturated condenser temperature as a function of the compressor power data, the speed of the compressor, and the discharge line temperature.