Apparatus for controlling operation of compressors

Abstract

An apparatus for controlling an operation of compressors includes a single microcomputer for calculating stroke estimate values of multiple compressors based on voltage and current values applied to the multiple compressors, and generating a plurality of switching control signals for independently controlling a voltage applied to the multiple compressors based on the calculated stroke estimate values and pre-set stroke reference values; and switching devices each installed in the multiple compressors, for independently controlling the voltage applied to the multiple compressors according to the plurality of switching control signals. Since the reciprocating compressors are controlled by a single apparatus, costs and power consumption can be reduced.

1 . An apparatus for controlling an operation of compressors comprising: 
 a single microcomputer for calculating stroke estimate values of multiple compressors based on voltage and current values applied to the multiple compressors, and generating a plurality of switching control signals for independently controlling a voltage applied to the multiple compressors based on the calculated stroke estimate values and pre-set stroke reference values; and    switching devices each installed in the multiple compressors, for independently controlling the voltage applied to the multiple compressors according to the plurality of switching control signals.    
   
   
       2 . An apparatus for controlling an operation of compressors comprising: 
 a first voltage detector for detecting a voltage applied to a first reciprocating compressor;    a first current detector for detecting a current applied to the first reciprocating compressor;    a second voltage detector for detecting a voltage applied to the second reciprocating compressor;    a second current detector for detecting a current applied to the second reciprocating compressor;    a single microcomputer for calculating a first stroke estimate value of the first reciprocating compressor based on the voltage value of the first voltage detector and the current value of the first current detector, comparing the first stroke estimate value with a pre-set first stroke reference value, generating a first switching control signal according to the comparison result, calculating a second stroke estimate value of the second reciprocating compressor based on the voltage value of the second voltage detector and the current value of the second current detector, comparing the second stroke estimate value with a pre-set second stroke reference value, and generating a second switching control signal according to the comparison result;    a first switching device for controlling a voltage applied to the first reciprocating compressor according to a first switching control signal of the single microcomputer; and    a second switching device for controlling a voltage applied to the second reciprocating compressor according to the second switching control signal of the single microcomputer.    
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second switching devices are a triac, respectively.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein when the first stroke estimate value is smaller than the pre-set first stroke reference value, the microcomputer outputs the first switching control signal for lengthening a turn-on period of the first triac to the first triac.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein when the first stroke estimate value is larger than the pre-set first stroke reference value, the microcomputer outputs the first switching control signal for shortening the turn-on period of the first triac to the first triac.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein when the second stroke estimate value is smaller than the pre-set second stroke reference value, the microcomputer outputs the second switching control signal for lengthening a turn-on period of the second triac to the second triac.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein when the second stroke estimate value is larger than the pre-set second stroke reference value, the microcomputer outputs the second switching control signal for shortening the turn-on period of the second triac to the second triac.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the elements are installed in a refrigerator.  
   
   
       9 . An apparatus for controlling an operation of compressors applied to a refrigerator comprising: 
 a first voltage detector for detecting a voltage applied to a first reciprocating compressor installed in a refrigerator;    a first current detector for detecting a current applied to the first reciprocating compressor;    a second voltage detector for detecting a voltage applied to the second reciprocating compressor installed in the refrigerator;    a second current detector for detecting a current applied to the second reciprocating compressor;    a single microcomputer for calculating a first stroke estimate value of the first reciprocating compressor based on the voltage value of the first voltage detector and the current value of the first current detector, comparing the first stroke estimate value with a pre-set first stroke reference value, generating a first switching control signal according to the comparison result, calculating a second stroke estimate value of the second reciprocating compressor based on the voltage value of the second voltage detector and the current value of the second current detector, comparing the second stroke estimate value with a pre-set second stroke reference value, and generating a second switching control signal according to the comparison result;    a first triac for controlling a voltage applied to the first reciprocating compressor according to a first switching control signal of the single microcomputer; and    a second triac for controlling a voltage applied to the second reciprocating compressor according to the second switching control signal of the single microcomputer,    wherein the microcomputer outputs a first switching control signal for lengthening a turn-on period of the first triac to the first triac to increase a voltage applied to the first reciprocating compressor when the first stroke estimate value is smaller than the pre-set first stroke reference value,    outputs a first switching control signal for shortening the turn-on period of the first triac to the first triac to reduce the voltage applied to the first reciprocating compressor when the first stroke estimate value is larger than the pre-set first stroke reference value,    outputs a second switching control signal for lengthening a turn-on period of the second triac to the second triac to increase a voltage applied to the second reciprocating compressor when the second stroke estimate value is smaller than the pre-set second stroke reference value, and    outputs a second switching control signal for shortening the turn-on period of the second triac to the second triac to reduce the voltage applied to the second reciprocating compressor when the second stroke estimate value is larger than the pre-set second stroke reference value.