Method and system for cooling a work machine compartment

Abstract

A method of controlling a heating and cooling system for providing conditioned air to a compartment of a work machine includes providing a heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) system including an electric motor driven compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator assembly, setting a desired air temperature of the compartment, and adjusting a speed of the compressor as a function of the desired air temperature. The method further includes evaluating an output power of the compressor and regulating the speed of the compressor based upon the evaluation.

1 . A method of controlling a heating and cooling system for providing conditioned air to a compartment of a work machine, comprising: 
 providing a heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) system including an electric motor driven compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator assembly;    setting a desired air temperature of the compartment;    adjusting a speed of the compressor as a function of the desired air temperature;    evaluating an output power of the compressor; and    regulating the speed of the compressor based upon the evaluation.    
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the evaluating includes: 
 setting a prescribed temperature threshold limit of the evaporator assembly;    measuring a value indicative of the temperature of a surface of the evaporator assembly;    determining whether the measured value indicates that the temperature threshold limit is reached; and    reducing the speed of the compressor if the threshold limit is reached.    
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the speed is adjusted and regulated by a controller.  
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 2 , further including: 
 controllably supplying heat to the conditioned air to assist in obtaining a desired temperature of the compartment.    
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the supply of heat is provided by a work machine power source.  
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the power source is an internal combustion engine.  
   
   
       7 . A method of controlling a heating and cooling system for providing conditioned air to a compartment of a work machine comprising: 
 providing a heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) system including an electric motor driven compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator assembly;    setting a prescribed temperature threshold limit of the evaporator assembly;    measuring a value indicative of a temperature of a surface of the evaporator assembly;    determining whether the temperature threshold limit is reached; and    adjusting a speed of the compressor as a function of the measured value.    
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 7 , further including: 
 performing another measurement of a value indicative of a temperature of a surface of the evaporator assembly;    determining whether the temperature threshold limit is reached; and    further adjusting a speed of the compressor as a function of the another measured value.    
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the speed is adjusted by a controller.  
   
   
       10 . A system for controlling a heating and cooling system for providing conditioned air to a compartment of a work machine comprising: 
 a heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) system including an electric motor driven compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator assembly;    means for actuating the compressor;    means for setting a prescribed temperature threshold limit of the evaporator assembly;    means for measuring a temperature indicative of a surface of the evaporator assembly;    means for determining whether the temperature threshold limit is reached; and    means for adjusting a speed of the compressor if the threshold limit is reached in order to regulate a temperature of the conditioned air in the compartment.    
   
   
       11 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the actuating means includes an electrical power source.  
   
   
       12 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the means for adjusting includes a controller operable to regulate an operational speed of the compressor based upon information inputted to the controller.  
   
   
       13 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the setting means includes a controller operable to set a prescribed temperature threshold limit of the evaporator assembly based upon information inputted to the controller.  
   
   
       14 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the measuring means includes a temperature sensor.  
   
   
       15 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the determining means includes a controller operable to determine whether the temperature threshold limit is reached based upon information inputted to the controller.  
   
   
       16 . The system according to  claim 12 , further including: 
 a means for supplying heat to the conditioned air in the cabin.    
   
   
       17 . The system according to  claim 16 , wherein the heat supply means includes a work machine power source.  
   
   
       18 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein the adjusting means is configured to adjust a speed of the compressor and supply an amount of heat via the heat supply means to the conditioned air in order to achieve the desired air temperature.