Refrigeration fan motor controller for ECM

Abstract

A control system for use with refrigeration devices utilizes a refrigeration evaporator fan speed controller, at least one remote current sensor, temperature sensor, or compressor mechanical/electrical contact sensor, and a sensing relay to determine when the compressor in a refrigeration system is operating. When the current, temperature, or electrical contact sensor detects that the compressor is not operating, the refrigeration evaporator fan speed is reduced to run at a lower speed than when the compressor is operating.

1 . A control system for controlling at least one fan motor in a refrigeration system comprising: 
 a voltage controller;    a current sensing relay in communication with the voltage controller; and    at least one current sensor in communication with the current sensing relay, whereby the speed of the at least one fan motor is controlled by at least one current sensor.    
   
   
       2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one current sensor is located remotely from the refrigeration system.  
   
   
       3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the voltage controller is a triac.  
   
   
       4 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the triac is integrated with the current sensing relay.  
   
   
       5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the voltage controller is a quadric.  
   
   
       6 . The system according to  claim 5 , wherein the quadric is integrated with the current sensing relay.  
   
   
       7 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one current sensor is placed in the electrical wiring of the refrigeration system.  
   
   
       8 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one current sensor senses the current in the compressor power wiring.  
   
   
       9 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one current sensor senses the current in the control power wiring.  
   
   
       10 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein when the at least one current sensor senses that current is flowing in the wiring, the evaporator fan motor will be set to rotate at high speed.  
   
   
       11 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one current sensor senses that no current is flowing in the wiring, the evaporator fan motor will be set to rotate at low speed.  
   
   
       12 . A method for controlling a refrigeration evaporator fan motor in a refrigeration system comprising the steps of: 
 providing a control system having at least one remote current sensor for sensing current flow in the refrigeration system electrical wiring; and    setting the speed of the evaporator fan motor in accordance with the presence or absence of current flow as sensed by the current sensor.    
   
   
       13 . A method for controlling a refrigeration evaporator fan motor in a refrigeration system, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a control system having at least one remote, external temperature sensor, sensing a change a change in temperature entering and exiting the evaporator coil.    setting the speed of the evaporator fan motor in accordance with the presence or absence of said change in temperature.    
   
   
       14 . A method for controlling a refrigeration evaporator fan motor in a refrigeration system, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a control system having at least one remote compressor, electrical contact sensor for sensing when the compressor is turned on;    setting the speed of the evaporator fan motor in accordance with the presence or absence electrical contact continuity.    
   
   
       15 . The method according to claims  12 ,  13 , and  14 , further comprising the steps of: 
 setting the speed of the evaporator fan motor to high speed when there is current flow, a temperature differential, and electrical contact sensed by said sensors; and    setting the speed of the evaporator fan motor to low speed when there is no current flow, no temperature differential, and no electrical contact of the compressor sensed by said sensors.