IP Library Granted Patent US 8,863,539
Granted Patent B2
US 8,863,539 · App. 13/339,013 · Granted Oct 21, 2014

Control apparatus and refrigerating apparatus

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,863,539
App. No.
13/339,013
Granted
Oct 21, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A control apparatus, which controls a refrigerating apparatus including a compressor and a first circuit breaker that interrupts a current flowing through the compressor when the current, flowing from a power supply through the compressor to cause the compressor to work, becomes greater than a predetermined current and that is closed according to an operation by a user, includes: a voltage-measuring unit to measure a power-supply voltage a control unit to trip a second circuit breaker disposed in series with the first circuit breaker so that the current from the power supply flowing through the compressor is interrupted, when the measured power-supply voltage becomes lower than a predetermined voltage, and close the second circuit breaker after the power-supply voltage becomes higher than the predetermined voltage, the predetermined current corresponding to a current greater than the current flowing through the compressor when the power-supply voltage is equal to the predetermined voltage.

Claims (35)

1. A control apparatus configured to control a refrigerating apparatus including a compressor and a first circuit breaker, the first circuit breaker configured to interrupt a current flowing through the compressor when the current becomes greater than a predetermined current and configured to be closed in response to an operation by a user, the current flowing from a power supply through the compressor to cause the compressor to work, the control apparatus comprising:

a voltage measuring unit configured to measure a voltage of the power supply; and

a control unit configured to

trip a second circuit breaker disposed in series with the first circuit breaker so that the current from the power supply flowing through the compressor is interrupted, when the measured voltage of the power supply becomes lower than a predetermined voltage, and

close the second circuit breaker after the voltage of the power supply becomes higher than the predetermined voltage,

the predetermined current corresponding to a current greater than the current flowing through the compressor when the voltage of the power supply is equal to the predetermined voltage.

2. The control apparatus of claim 1 , wherein

the control unit is configured to close the second circuit breaker, when a predetermined time, corresponding to a time required for pressure of a refrigerant on a suction side of the compressor and pressure of the refrigerant on a discharge side thereof to reach equilibrium, has elapsed from tripping of the second circuit breaker as well as when the voltage of the power supply becomes greater than the predetermined voltage.

3. The control apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising:

a temperature measuring unit configured to measure a temperature inside the refrigerating apparatus, wherein

the control unit is configured to trip the second circuit breaker when the measured temperature inside the refrigerating apparatus reaches a first temperature, and to close the second circuit breaker when the temperature inside the refrigerating apparatus reaches a second temperature higher than the first temperature.

4. The control apparatus of claim 3 , wherein

the control unit is configured to display, on a display unit included in the refrigerating apparatus, information indicating that the compressor has stopped working, when the measured voltage of the power supply becomes lower than the predetermined voltage and the second circuit breaker is tripped.

5. A control apparatus configured to control a refrigerating apparatus including: first and second compressors; a first circuit breaker configured to interrupt a current flowing through the first compressor when the current becomes greater than a first current, and configured to be closed in response to an operation by a user, the current flowing from a power supply through the first compressor to cause the first and the second compressors to work; and a second circuit breaker configured to interrupt a current flowing through the second compressor when the current from the power supply flowing therethrough becomes greater than a second current, and configured to be closed in response to an operation by a user, the control apparatus comprising:

a voltage measuring unit configured to measure a voltage of the power supply;

a first control unit configured to

trip a third circuit breaker disposed in series with the first circuit breaker so that the current from the power supply flowing through the first compressor is interrupted, when the measured voltage of the power supply becomes lower than a predetermined voltage, and

close the third circuit breaker after the voltage of the power supply becomes higher than the predetermined voltage; and

a second control unit configured to

trip a fourth circuit breaker disposed in series with the second circuit breaker so that the current from the power supply flowing through the second compressor is interrupted when the measured voltage of the power supply becomes lower than the predetermined voltage and

close the fourth circuit breaker after the voltage of the power supply becomes higher than the predetermined voltage,

the first current corresponding to a current greater than the current flowing through the first compressor when the voltage of the power supply is equal to the predetermined voltage, and wherein

the second current corresponding to a current greater than the current flowing through the second compressor when the voltage of the power supply is equal to the predetermined voltage.

6. The control apparatus of claim 5 , wherein

the first control unit is configured to close the third circuit breaker, when a first time, corresponding to a time required for pressure of a refrigerant on a suction side of the compressor and pressure of the refrigerant on a discharge side thereof to reach equilibrium, has elapsed from tripping of the third circuit breaker, as well as when the voltage of the power supply becomes greater than the predetermined voltage, and wherein

the second control unit is configured to close the fourth circuit breaker in a tripped state after a second time has elapsed from closing of the third circuit breaker in the tripped state.

7. A refrigerating apparatus comprising:

a compressor;

a first circuit breaker configured to interrupt a current flowing through the compressor when the current becomes greater than a predetermined current, and configured to be closed in response to an operation by a user, the current flowing from a power supply through the compressor to cause the compressor to work;

a second circuit breaker disposed in series with the first circuit breaker;

a voltage measuring unit configured to measure a voltage of the power supply; and

a control apparatus configured to

trip the second circuit breaker so that the current from the power supply flowing through the compressor is interrupted, when the measured voltage of the power supply becomes lower than a predetermined voltage, and

close the second circuit breaker after the voltage of the power supply becomes higher than the predetermined voltage,

the predetermined current corresponding to a current greater than the current flowing through the compressor when the voltage of the power supply is equal to the predetermined voltage.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 29, 2018
From: PANASONIC HEALTHCARE HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
To: PHC HOLDINGS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 046459/0861 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 14, 2012
From: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
To: PANASONIC HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 028199/0276 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 16, 2012
From: TSURUMA, RYUICHI
To: SANYO ELECTRONIC CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 027875/0274 →