IP Library Granted Patent US 9,470,225
Granted Patent B2
US 9,470,225 · App. 14/518,250 · Granted Oct 18, 2016

Compressors and methods for determining optimal parking positions for compressor pistons

Inventors: Eric K. Watson (Crestwood, KY); Richard Dana Brooke (Louisville, KY); Timothy Neal Johnson (Palmyra, IN); Meher Prasadu Kollipara (Louisville, KY)
Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
F04B51/00G01R25/00G01R25/005G01R31/34
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,470,225
App. No.
14/518,250
Granted
Oct 18, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

Compressors and methods for determining optimal parking positions for compressor pistons are provided. A method includes performing a current value evaluation for an initial time during operation of a motor of the compressor. Performing the current value evaluation includes measuring a motor current value at the time and comparing the motor current value to an existing optimal parking current value. Performing the current value evaluation further includes modifying the existing optimal parking current value to the motor current value when the motor current value exceeds or is equal to the existing optimal parking current value.

Claims (42)

1. A method for determining an optimal parking position for a compressor piston, the method comprising performing a current value evaluation for an initial time during operation of a motor of the compressor, wherein performing the current value evaluation comprises:

measuring a plurality of motor current values at the initial time, each of the motor current values corresponding to a motor current phase;

comparing each motor current value to an existing optimal parking current value;

modifying the existing optimal parking current value to the motor current value when the motor current value exceeds or is equal to the existing optimal parking current value; and

modifying an existing optimal parking phase to the motor current phase of the peak motor current value when the peak motor current value exceeds or is equal to the existing optimal parking current value.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising performing the current value evaluation at a subsequent time.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the subsequent time is a plurality of subsequent times.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising storing the existing optimal parking current value when a time period between the initial time and a latest time of the plurality of subsequent times exceeds or is equal to a predetermined time period limit.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

measuring a phase angle for the motor current value at the initial time; and

modifying an existing optimal parking phase angle to the phase angle when the motor current value exceeds or is equal to the existing optimal parking current value.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of motor current values is three motor current values.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising selecting a peak motor current value from the plurality of motor current values.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the comparing step comprises comparing the peak motor current value to the existing optimal parking current value, wherein the step of modifying the existing optimal parking current value comprises modifying the existing optimal parking current value to the peak motor current value when the peak motor current value exceeds or is equal to the existing optimal parking current value, and wherein the step of modifying the existing optimal parking phase angle comprises modifying the existing optimal parking phase angle to the phase angle of the peak motor current value when the peak motor current value exceeds or is equal to the existing optimal parking current value.

9. A method for determining an optimal parking position for a compressor piston, the method comprising performing a current value evaluation for an initial time during operation of a motor of the compressor, wherein performing the current value evaluation comprises:

measuring a plurality of motor current value at the initial time, each of the motor current values corresponding to a motor current phase;

measuring a phase angle for the each of the motor current values at the initial time;

selecting a peak motor current value from the plurality of motor current values;

comparing the peak motor current value to an existing optimal parking current value;

modifying the existing optimal parking current value to the peak motor current value when the peak motor current value exceeds or is equal to the existing optimal parking current value;

modifying an existing optimal parking phase angle to the phase angle of the peak motor current value when the peak motor current value exceeds or is equal to the existing optimal parking current value; and

modifying an existing optimal parking phase to the motor current phase of the peak motor current value when the peak motor current value exceeds or is equal to the existing optimal parking current value.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of motor current values is three motor current values.

11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising performing the current value evaluation at a subsequent time.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the subsequent time is a plurality of subsequent times.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising storing the existing optimal parking current value and existing optimal parking phase angle when a time period between the initial time and a latest time of the plurality of subsequent times exceeds or is equal to a predetermined time period limit.

14. A compressor, comprising:

a housing defining a chamber;

a piston disposed and movable within the chamber;

a motor driving the piston; and

a controller in communication with the motor, the controller configured for performing a current value evaluation for an initial time during operation of the motor, wherein performing the current value evaluation comprises:

measuring a plurality of motor current value at the initial time, each of the motor current values corresponding to a motor current phase;

measuring a phase angle for the each of the motor current values at the initial time;

selecting a peak motor current value from the plurality of motor current values;

comparing the peak motor current value to an existing optimal parking current value;

modifying the existing optimal parking current value to the peak motor current value when the peak motor current value exceeds or is equal to the existing optimal parking current value;

modifying an existing optimal parking phase angle to the phase angle of the peak motor current value when the peak motor current value exceeds or is equal to the existing optimal parking current value; and

modifying an existing optimal parking phase to the motor current phase of the peak motor current value when the peak motor current value exceeds or is equal to the existing optimal parking current value.

15. The compressor of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of motor current values is three motor current values.

16. The compressor of claim 14 , wherein the controller is further configured for performing the current value evaluation at a subsequent time.

17. The compressor of claim 16 , wherein the subsequent time is a plurality of subsequent times.

18. The compressor of claim 17 , wherein the controller is further configured for storing the existing optimal parking current value and existing optimal parking phase angle when a time period between the initial time and a latest time of the plurality of subsequent times exceeds or is equal to a predetermined time period limit.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 10, 2016
From: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
To: HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 038952/0313 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 20, 2014
From: WATSON, ERIC K.; BROOKE, RICHARD DANA; JOHNSON, TIMOTHY NEAL; KOLLIPARA, MEHER PRASADU
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Reel/Frame 033982/0773 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20160108905A1 · Apr 21, 2016