Compressor diagnostic and recording system

Abstract

A compressor diagnostic system incorporates a control which receives a plurality of data streams about various operational features of the compressor. As an example, both temperature and pressure of the suction and discharge refrigerant are taken and sent to the control. Moreover, information with regard to the power being supplied to the motor is taken and stored. All of this information is utilized at a control which compares the information to expected values and determines a fault based upon the evaluation. Moreover, in another feature of this invention, much of this data is stored, and maintained at the compressor. In the event of a compressor failure, this stored information will provide a maintenance worker with a good indication of why the compressor failed.

1 . A sealed compressor comprising: 
 a compressor housing enclosing a compressor pump unit and an electric motor for driving said compressor pump unit;    a control;    a plurality of sensors for sensing various features of operation of said compressor, and sending signals to said control, said plurality of sensors including at least one sensor associated with a suction area of said compressor and at least one sensor associated with a discharge area of said compressor, and said control being operable to analyze data received from said sensors and determine whether said analyzed data indicates a fault is occurring in said compressor.    
     
     
         2 . A compressor as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said compressor pump unit is a scroll compressor.  
     
     
         3 . A compressor as recited in  claim 1 , wherein information with regard to the power supply to said electric motor is also analyzed by said control.  
     
     
         4 . A compressor as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said sensors sense pressure information.  
     
     
         5 . A compressor as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said sensors sense temperature information.  
     
     
         6 . A compressor as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a signal is sent to shut down said motor if said analyzed data indicates a fault.  
     
     
         7 . A compressor as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said control is microprocessor based.  
     
     
         8 . A compressor as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said control sends an output to a warning signal that a particular fault is occurring.  
     
     
         9 . A compressor as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said control further stores said sensed data for later retrieval.  
     
     
         10 . A sealed compressor comprising: 
 a housing enclosing a compressor pump unit and a motor for driving said compressor pump unit;    a microprocessor control, said control being provided with data with regard to several operational features of said compressor, and said control storing said data in a memory, said control and said memory being mounted adjacent said housing, and being accessible to a worker to retrieve said data at a later point in time.    
     
     
         11 . A compressor as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said control is mounted on an outer surface of said housing.  
     
     
         12 . A compressor as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said control is mounted on an inner surface of said housing.  
     
     
         13 . A compressor as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said features include features with regard to suction and discharge areas of said compressor, and further with regard to the power being supplied to said motor.  
     
     
         14 . A compressor as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said compressor pump unit is a scroll compressor.  
     
     
         15 . A compressor as recited in  claim 10 , wherein sensors are provided to sense temperature and pressure at a discharge tube, and temperature and pressure at a suction tube, and supplies said temperature and pressure information from both suction and discharge to said control.  
     
     
         16 . A compressor as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said operational features include pressure information.  
     
     
         17 . A compressor as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said operational features include temperature information.  
     
     
         18 . A compressor as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said data includes a fault code with numbers indicative of a particular fault.  
     
     
         19 . A compressor as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said motor is stopped if said data is indicative of a particular fault.  
     
     
         20 . A method of monitoring operation of a compressor comprising the steps of: 
 providing a control mounted adjacent a compressor housing, and providing sensors on said compressor to supply data to said control with regard to operation of said compressor at both suction and discharge areas;    operating said compressor, and sending data to said control;    analyzing said data at said control and identifying a fault; and    sending a signal.    
     
     
         21 . A method as recited in  claim 20 , wherein said signal provides a warning that a particular fault is occurring.  
     
     
         22 . A method as recited in  claim 20 , wherein said signal stops said motor.  
     
     
         23 . A method as recited in  claim 20 , wherein said data is also stored at said control for later retrieval.