Importance

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Abstract

A refrigeration compressor system using a reciprocating compressor with continuously variable capacity. The speed of the compressor can be varied substantially continuously over predefined range of speeds. A controller for the compressor monitors one or more physical parameters indicative of the temperature of the application being refrigerated, such as the temperature itself and/or the pressure in the compressor's refrigerant suction line. Using a predefined algorithm, the controller adjusts the speed of said compressor so as to keep said monitored parameter within a predefined target range. In a preferred embodiment, the compressor is an open direct drive compressor. The compressor's motor has a substantially continuous range of useable operating speeds which varies by a ratio of more than two to one. Furthermore, the controller has a plurality of control strategies for adjusting the speed of the compressor's motor, including one for adjusting the motor's speed in accordance with difference between the measured temperature and a specified target temperature, one for adjusting the motor's speed in accordance with difference between the pressure in the compressor's refrigerant suction line and a specified target temperature, and one for adjusting the motor's speed in accordance with both the temperature and suction pressure.

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First Claim