IP Library Granted Patent US 11,644,226
Granted Patent B2
US 11,644,226 · App. 16/649,852 · Granted May 9, 2023

Variable speed drive input current control

Inventors: Ajit W. Kane (York, PA); Scott V. Slothower (Dillsburg, PA)
Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
F25B49/025F25B49/022H02P27/06F25B2700/151
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,644,226
App. No.
16/649,852
Granted
May 9, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A chiller assembly is provided. The chiller assembly includes a compressor ( 102 ), a condenser ( 106 ), an expansion device and an evaporator ( 108 ) connected in a closed refrigerant circuit. The chiller assembly further includes a motor ( 104 ) connected to the compressor to power the compressor, and a variable speed drive ( 110 ) connected to the motor to power the motor. The variable speed drive is operable to provide a variable voltage to the motor and a variable frequency to power the motor. The variable speed drive includes multiple sensors and an input current estimator that determines an estimated RMS input current based on sensor data received from the sensors. The chiller assembly further includes a control panel to control operation of the variable speed drive.

Claims (42)

1. A chiller assembly, comprising:

a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator connected in a closed refrigerant circuit;

a motor connected to the compressor to power the compressor;

a variable speed drive operable to provide a variable voltage to the motor and a variable frequency to power the motor, the variable speed drive comprising:

a plurality of sensors; and

an input current estimator operable to determine an estimated RMS input current based at least in part on sensor data received from the plurality of sensors, wherein the input current estimator is configured to reduce a chiller load in response to the estimated RMS input current exceeding a threshold value; and

a control panel to control operation of the variable speed drive and one or more components of the chiller assembly.

2. The chiller assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sensor data comprises a DC link voltage value and a DC link current value.

3. The chiller assembly of claim 2 , wherein the input current estimator is operable to determine a DC link power value and a line-to-line input voltage value based on the DC link voltage value and the DC link current value and is operable to determine the estimated RMS input current based on the DC link power value and the line-to-line input voltage value.

4. The chiller assembly of claim 3 , wherein the input current estimator is operable to determine an input current value based at least in part on the DC link power value and the line-to-line input voltage value and is operable to determine the estimated RMS input current based on the input current value.

5. The chiller assembly of claim 4 , wherein the input current estimator is operable to determine an input current with distortion value and a transformer current value, wherein the input current with distortion value is based on the input current value, and wherein the input current estimator is operable to determine the estimated RMS input current based on the input current with distortion value and the transformer current value.

6. A method of controlling a chiller assembly according to an estimated input RMS current, the method comprising:

determining a DC link power value;

determining a line-to-line input voltage value;

determining an input current value based at least in part on the DC link power value and the line-to-line input voltage value;

determining an input current with distortion value based at least in part on the input current value;

determining a transformer current value;

determining a total input RMS current value based at least in part on the input current with distortion value and the transformer current value; and

performing an input RMS current response action.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the input RMS current response action comprises transmitting a signal to a control panel to reduce a chiller load.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the input RMS current response action comprises transmitting a signal to a control panel to display an alarm message.

9. The method of claim 6 , wherein the DC link power value is based at least in part on a DC link voltage value and a DC link current value.

10. The method of claim 6 , wherein the line-to-line input voltage value is based at least in part on a DC link voltage value, an input line frequency value, a line inductance value, and a DC link current value.

11. The method of claim 6 , wherein the input current with distortion value is based at least in part on a determination that an active harmonic filter is operable.

12. The method of claim 6 , wherein the transformer current value is based at least in part on the line-to-line input voltage value.

13. A processing circuit for a variable speed drive of a chiller assembly, the processing circuit comprising:

a processor; and

memory communicably coupled to the processor and operable to execute a method for controlling the chiller assembly according to an estimated input RMS current, the method comprising:

determining a DC link power value;

determining a line-to-line input voltage value;

determining an input current value based at least in part on the DC link power value and the line-to-line input voltage value;

determining an input current with distortion value based at least in part on the input current value;

determining a transformer current value;

determining a total input RMS current value based at least in part on the input current with distortion value and the transformer current value; and

performing an input RMS current response action.

14. The processing circuit of claim 13 , wherein the input RMS current response action comprises transmitting a signal to a control panel to reduce a chiller load.

15. The processing circuit of claim 13 , wherein the input RMS current response action comprises transmitting a signal to a control panel to display an alarm message.

16. The processing circuit of claim 13 , wherein the line-to-line input voltage value is based at least in part on a DC link voltage value, an input line frequency value, a line inductance value, and a DC link current value.

17. The processing circuit of claim 16 , wherein the input line frequency value is obtained from an AC power source.

18. The processing circuit of claim 13 , wherein the input current with distortion value is based at least in part on a determination that an active harmonic filter is operable.

19. The processing circuit of claim 13 , wherein the transformer current value is based at least in part on the line-to-line input voltage value.

20. The processing circuit of claim 13 , wherein the DC link power value is based at least in part on a DC link voltage value and a DC link current value.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 30, 2025
From: JOHNSON CONTROLS TYCO IP HOLDINGS LLP
To: TYCO FIRE & SECURITY GMBH
Reel/Frame 072290/0853 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 4, 2023
From: KANE, AJIT W.; SLOTHOWER, SCOTT V.
To: JOHNSON CONTROLS TYCO IP HOLDINGS LLP
Reel/Frame 063216/0531 →
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Feb 4, 2022
From: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
To: JOHNSON CONTROLS TYCO IP HOLDINGS LLP
Reel/Frame 058959/0764 →