Abstract:
A system and method for flooded start control of a compressor for a refrigeration system are provided. A sensor generates sensed data corresponding to a condition of the refrigeration system. A control module is configured to operate the compressor in a flooded-start control mode including operating the compressor according to a cycle with a first time period during which the compressor is on and a second time period during which the compressor is off. The control module operates the compressor in an initial time period, without using the flooded-start control mode, with liquid refrigerant present in the compressor and monitors the sensed data from the sensor. The control module operates the compressor in the flooded start control mode after determining the first time period, the second time period, or a number of cycles, based on the sensed data monitored during the initial time period.
Abstract:
A system and method for flooded start control of a compressor are provided. An ambient temperature sensor generates ambient temperature data and a compressor temperature sensor generates compressor temperature data. A control module receives the ambient temperature data and the compressor temperature data, determines whether the outdoor ambient temperature is rising faster than the compressor temperature, determines whether the outdoor ambient temperature is greater than the compressor temperature by more than a predetermined threshold for more than a predetermined time period, and, in response to the outdoor ambient temperature rising faster than the compressor temperature and the outdoor ambient temperature being greater than the compressor temperature by more than the predetermined threshold for more than the predetermined time period, operates the compressor according to at least one cycle including a first time period during which the compressor is on and a second time period during which the compressor is off.
Abstract:
An indoor air quality (IAQ) system for a building includes an IAQ sensor that is located within the building and that is configured to measure an IAQ parameter, the IAQ parameter being one of: a relative humidity (RH) of air; an amount of particulate of at least a predetermined size present in air; an amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in air; and an amount of carbon dioxide present in air. A mitigation module is configured to: selectively turn on a mitigation device based on a comparison of the IAQ parameter with a first threshold; and selectively turn off the mitigation device based on a comparison of the IAQ parameter with a second threshold. A thresholds module is configured to: set the first and second thresholds to predetermined default values; and selectively adjust at least one of the first and second thresholds.
Abstract:
A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control system generates a request to replace a first air filter installed in an air handler of an HVAC system with a second air filter. The second air filter has a particulate matter removal efficiency rating that is greater than a particulate matter removal efficiency rating of the first filter. The system delays for a predetermined period of time and then obtains (i) a first temperature of air downstream of the air handler and (ii) a second temperature of air upstream of the air handler. The system then calculates a temperature difference between the f temperatures and determines whether the temperature difference is within an acceptable range. In response to the temperature difference being within the acceptable range, the system (i) operates the HVAC system using the second air filter and (ii) generates an alert indicating compatibility of the second air filter.
Abstract:
A condition identification module is configured to, based on output from the at least one of a microphone and a camera, indicate an occurrence of a user having a physical condition. A correlation module is configured to, based on the occurrence of the user having the physical condition and at least one of a temperature of air, a relative humidity of air, an amount of particulate of at least a predetermined size present in air, an amount of VOCs present in air, and an amount of carbon dioxide present in air, selectively identify the presence of a correlation between the occurrence of the user having the physical condition and the at least one of the temperature, the RH, the amount of particulate, the amount of VOCs, and the amount of carbon dioxide.
Abstract:
A climate-control system includes a variable-capacity compressor unit and a control module. The variable-capacity compressor unit is operable in a first capacity mode and in a second capacity mode that is higher than the first capacity mode. The control module may be configured to switch the variable-capacity compressor unit between the first capacity mode and the second capacity mode based on a demand signal, a current outdoor air temperature, an outdoor-air-temperature slope, and a previous runtime of the variable-capacity compressor unit in the second capacity mode.
Abstract:
A charge-verification tool is used with a charge-verification system to diagnose and remedy a charge condition. The charge-verification tool includes a device having a controller configured to communicate with a system controller in the charge-verification system and a display configured to display measurements and instructions to an installer. The device is a user interface and is configured to provide communication between the installer and the system controller in the charge-verification system. The controller prompts the installer to input charge-verification system information including refrigeration line length and diameter. The controller receives a subcooling temperature calculated by the system controller and determines whether the subcooling temperature is between a threshold and a target subcooling temperature. The controller displays an amount of charge to add to the charge-verification system based on whether the subcooling temperature is between the threshold and the target subcooling temperature.
Abstract:
A system and method for a compressor includes 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, and a control module connected to the discharge line temperature sensor. The control module determines a saturated condenser temperature, calculates a discharge superheat temperature based on the saturated condenser temperature and the discharge line temperature, and monitors a flood back condition of the compressor by comparing the discharge superheat temperature with a predetermined threshold. The control module increases a speed of the compressor when the discharge superheat temperature is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold.
Abstract:
A system includes a variable-capacity compressor operable in a first capacity mode and in a second capacity mode that is higher than the first capacity mode. A variable-speed blower is operable at a first speed and at a second speed that is higher than the first speed. A control module is configured to (i) receive indoor relative humidity data corresponding to an indoor relative humidity (ii) switch the variable-capacity compressor between the first capacity mode and the second capacity mode based on a demand signal from a thermostat and the indoor relative humidity and (iii) switch the variable-speed blower between the first speed and the second speed based on the demand signal from the thermostat and the indoor relative humidity.
Abstract:
A system and method for flooded start control of a compressor having a crankcase heater are provided. A control module receives sensed data from a sensor, determines a current rate of liquid migration into the compressor, and compares the current rate with first and second predetermined thresholds. The control module operates the compressor in a flooded-start control mode, including operating the compressor according to at least one cycle with a first time period when the compressor is on and a second time period when the compressor is off. The control module operates the compressor in the flooded start control mode when the current rate is greater than the first predetermined threshold, activates the crankcase heater when the current rate is between the first and second predetermined thresholds, and operates the compressor without the flooded start control mode when the current rate is less than the second predetermined threshold.