Refrigerant Circuit and Refrigerant Compressor

Abstract

In order to provide a control unit which can cooperate with a great variety of operating units and/or status acquisition units, it is proposed that the control unit comprises a base module which has at least one processor and at least one memory store for the required program code for operating the processor and terminals for operating units carrying out basic functions and/or status acquisition units and that the processor and the program code stored in the memory store are configured such that therewith additional functions of an additional module connectable to the base module are also executable.

1 . A refrigerant compressor, having a compressor unit which draws in refrigerant with a suction port, compresses it and delivers it by way of a pressure port, wherein the refrigerant compressor has an electrical drive unit driving the compressor unit and wherein the refrigerant compressor is provided with a control unit which cooperates with at least one of i) operating units and ii) status acquisition units associated with the refrigerant compressor or the refrigerant circuit,
 wherein the control unit comprises a base module which has at least one processor and at least one memory store for the required program code and data for operating the processor and also terminals for operating units carrying out at least one of i) basic functions and ii) status acquisition units and wherein the processor and the program code stored in the memory store are configured so that operating units carrying out additional functions by way of an additional module connectable to at least one of i) the base module and ii) status acquisition units are also operable with these.   
     
     
         2 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 1 , wherein, for the execution of additional functions, the base module is connectable to an additional module which has terminals for operating units carrying out at least one of i) the additional functions and ii) the status acquisition units, and wherein the additional module enables, by way of mediatory communication between the base module and at least one of i) the operating units and ii) the status acquisition units connected to the additional module, the execution of the additional functions by way of the operation of at least one of i) the operating units and ii) the status acquisition units by the base module. 
     
     
         3 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 1 , wherein a communication between the base module and the additional module connected thereto takes place directly by way of electrical connecting elements between the base module and the additional module. 
     
     
         4 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 2 , wherein the mediatory communication of the respective additional module comprises at least one of i) a signal conversion and ii) a signal processing and iii) an intelligent signal processing and iv) an evaluating signal processing. 
     
     
         5 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 1 , wherein different additional modules are connectable to the base module, of which each enables an operation of different combinations of at least one of i) operating units and ii) status acquisition units by way of mediatory communication between the base module and these different combinations of at least one of i) operating units and ii) status acquisition units. 
     
     
         6 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 1 , wherein the control unit has a controller housing arranged on the refrigerant compressor, which is configured to accommodate the base module and also to accommodate at least one additional module. 
     
     
         7 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 6 , wherein, in addition to the base module, different additional modules are insertable into the controller housing. 
     
     
         8 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 6 , wherein the controller housing has mounting receptacles for fixedly connecting the base module thereto. 
     
     
         9 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 6 , wherein the controller housing has mounting receptacles for fixedly connecting the one additional module thereto. 
     
     
         10 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 8 , wherein the mounting receptacles are arranged on a housing base of the controller housing, wherein in particular the mounting receptacles are connected by way of reinforcements to the housing base and wherein in particular the reinforcements dampen vibrations of the housing base. 
     
     
         11 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 10 , wherein the housing base is provided with vibration damping structures. 
     
     
         12 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 10 , wherein the respective mounting bases for the base module and the additional module are arranged on the reinforcements of the housing base. 
     
     
         13 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 10 , wherein the respective mounting bases for the base module and the additional module are arranged on the same reinforcements connected to the housing base. 
     
     
         14 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 6 , wherein the base module mounted in the controller housing and the additional module connected thereto are connected to one another by way of a plug-in connector. 
     
     
         15 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 14 , wherein the plug-in connector is secured by fixing the base module by way of its mounting base and the fixing of the additional module is secured by way of its mounting base. 
     
     
         16 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 1 , wherein the base module for at least one of i) the operating units and ii) the status acquisition units has at least one low voltage terminal, in particular for DC voltage, and at least one terminal, in particular for AC voltage. 
     
     
         17 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 1 , wherein the additional module for the operation of at least one of i) the operating units and ii) the status acquisition units has at least one low voltage terminal, in particular for DC voltage, and at least one mains voltage terminal, in particular for AC voltage. 
     
     
         18 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 1 , wherein the base module has at least one BUS terminal unit. 
     
     
         19 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 1 , wherein the base module has a communication unit for wireless communication. 
     
     
         20 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 1 , wherein the base module has a terminal for communication with a system controller of the refrigerant circuit. 
     
     
         21 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 20 , wherein the terminal for communication with the system controller is configured as a BUS terminal unit or as a wireless communication unit. 
     
     
         22 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 1 , wherein the additional module has a BUS terminal unit. 
     
     
         23 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 1 , wherein the drive unit is operable by way of a frequency converter and wherein the frequency converter is controlled by the base module. 
     
     
         24 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 1 , wherein the drive unit is operable by way of a frequency converter and wherein the frequency converter is controlled by the additional module by way of the base module. 
     
     
         25 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 1 , wherein, on occurrence of damage-prone operating states, the base module detects them by way of the processor and stores an alarm signal and wherein at least one of i) the base module and ii) the additional module of the control unit is connected to a display unit for the display of possible operating states, and wherein the base module controls, in particular, the display unit such that it displays at least one of i) an alarm signal recognized by the base module and ii) a stopping of the drive unit and iii) a start readiness of the control unit. 
     
     
         26 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of i) the base module and ii) the additional module detects a temperature of the electrical drive unit by way of a temperature sensor. 
     
     
         27 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of i) the base module and ii) the additional module of the control unit is connected to a lubricant sensor as a status acquisition unit and wherein the base module detects the values of the lubricant sensor. 
     
     
         28 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 27 , wherein the base module evaluates the values of the lubricant sensor. 
     
     
         29 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 1 , wherein the base module as the operating unit controls a lubricant feed from a lubricant separator to the compressor unit by way of a lubricant feed unit connected to at least one of i) the base module and ii) the additional module of the control unit. 
     
     
         30 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 29 , wherein the lubricant feed unit is configured as a lubricant injection valve. 
     
     
         31 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of i) the base module and ii) the additional module of the control unit is connected to a compressed gas temperature sensor as a status acquisition unit and wherein the base module detects the values of the compressed gas temperature sensor. 
     
     
         32 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 31 , wherein the base module evaluates the values of the compressed gas temperature sensor, in particular while taking account of stored reference values. 
     
     
         33 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the base module and ii) the additional module of the control unit is connected to a high pressure sensor as a status acquisition unit and wherein the base module detects the values of the high pressure sensor. 
     
     
         34 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 33 , wherein the base module passes on values that are at least one of i) detected and ii) determined, in particular by way of sensors. 
     
     
         35 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of i) the base module and ii) the additional module of the control unit is connected to a lubricant heater as an operating unit and wherein, in particular, the base module switches the lubricant heater on or off. 
     
     
         36 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of i) the base module and ii) the additional module of the control unit is connected to a power control unit of the compressor unit and wherein the base module controls the power control unit. 
     
     
         37 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 36 , wherein the base module controls the power control unit according to a power demand of the system control unit. 
     
     
         38 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 36 , wherein the base module controls the power control unit by way of the at least one processor dependent upon the compressed gas temperature detected by the compressed gas temperature sensor, while taking account of specifications stored in the memory store. 
     
     
         39 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of i) the base module and ii) the additional module of the control unit is connected to a suction gas temperature sensor as a status acquisition unit and wherein the base module detects the values of the suction gas temperature sensor. 
     
     
         40 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 1 , wherein the processor of the base module compares the values of the suction gas temperature sensor with reference values stored in the memory store or determined by the processor according to an operating state of the refrigerant compressor. 
     
     
         41 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 39 , wherein if a reference value for the suction gas temperature is undershot, the base module communicates with the system controller. 
     
     
         42 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 36 , wherein the base module controls the power control unit by way of the at least one processor, while taking account of the compressed gas temperature and the suction gas temperature and while taking account of specifications stored in the memory store. 
     
     
         43 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of i) the base module and ii) the additional module of the control unit are connected to a fan for cooling the compressor unit as an operating unit and wherein the base module controls the fan. 
     
     
         44 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 43 , wherein the base module controls the fan by way of the at least one processor, while taking account of the compressed gas temperature and while taking account of specifications stored in the memory store. 
     
     
         45 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of i) the base module and ii) the additional module of the control unit are connected to an injection unit for refrigerant as an operating unit and wherein the base module controls the injection unit. 
     
     
         46 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 45 , wherein, by way of the at least one processor, the base module controls the injection unit, while taking account of the compressed gas temperature and while taking account of specifications stored in the memory store or determined by the processor according to further status variables. 
     
     
         47 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of i) the base module and ii) the additional module of the control unit is connected to an ambient temperature sensor as a status acquisition unit and wherein the base module detects the values of the ambient temperature sensor. 
     
     
         48 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 46 , wherein by way of the processor, the base module evaluates the values of the ambient temperature sensor according to reference values specified in the memory store. 
     
     
         49 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 48 , wherein, by way of the processor, according to the values of the ambient temperature sensor, the base module controls a blower unit of the high pressure-side heat exchanger on the basis of specifications stored in the memory store or specifications determined by the processor according to further operating state variables. 
     
     
         50 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of i) the base module and ii) the additional module of the control unit is connected to a refrigeration location temperature sensor as a status acquisition unit and wherein the base module detects the values of the refrigeration location temperature sensor. 
     
     
         51 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 50 , wherein, by way of the processor, the base module compares the refrigeration location temperature with reference values specified in the memory store or determined by the processor on the basis of further operating state variables. 
     
     
         52 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 51 , wherein, by way of the processor, the base module controls a mass flow control unit in the refrigerant circuit, while taking account of the refrigeration location temperature and a control program stored in the memory store. 
     
     
         53 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 1 , wherein the base module is configured to execute a lubricant return operation controlled by the processor in accordance with a lubricant return program, and wherein in particular at least one of i) the base module and ii) the additional module of the control unit is connected to a switchable output to activate the lubricant return operation as an operating unit and wherein the base module controls the output. 
     
     
         54 . The refrigerant compressor according to  claim 1 , wherein, on occurrence of damage-prone operating states, the base module detects them by way of the processor and stores an alarm signal and wherein at least one of i) the base module and ii) the additional module of the control unit is connected to a display unit as an operating unit and wherein the base module controls the display unit such that it displays an alarm signal recognized by the base module. 
     
     
         55 . A refrigerant circuit comprising at least one refrigerant compressor, a high pressure line extending away from the at least one refrigerant compressor, a high pressure-side heat exchanger arranged in the high pressure line, at least one expansion element following the high pressure-side heat exchanger in the high pressure line, a low pressure-side heat exchanger which is arranged in a low pressure line following the expansion element and from which the low pressure line extends to the at least one refrigerant compressor, wherein the at least one refrigerant compressor is configured having a compressor unit which draws in refrigerant with a suction port, compresses it and delivers it by way of a pressure port, wherein the refrigerant compressor has an electrical drive unit driving the compressor unit and wherein the refrigerant compressor is provided with a control unit which cooperates with at least one of i) operating units and ii) status acquisition units associated with the refrigerant compressor or the refrigerant circuit. 
     
     
         56 . The refrigerant circuit according to  claim 55 , wherein it comprises a high pressure sensor arranged in the high pressure line. 
     
     
         57 . The refrigerant circuit according to  claim 55 , wherein the refrigerant circuit comprises a lubricant separator arranged in the high pressure line. 
     
     
         58 . The refrigerant circuit according to  claim 55 , wherein it comprises a mass flow control unit connected upstream of the expansion element. 
     
     
         59 . The refrigerant circuit according to  claim 55 , wherein it comprises a refrigeration location temperature sensor. 
     
     
         60 . The refrigerant circuit according to  claim 55 , wherein it comprises a system controller which cooperates with the control unit of the at least one refrigerant compressor. 
     
     
         61 . The refrigerant circuit according to  claim 60 , wherein the system controller cooperates with the base module of the at least one refrigerant compressor. 
     
     
         62 . The refrigerant circuit according to  claim 60 , wherein the system controller cooperates with a BUS terminal unit of the base module. 
     
     
         63 . The refrigerant circuit according to  claim 60 , wherein the system controller cooperates wirelessly with the base module. 
     
     
         64 . The refrigerant circuit according to  claim 55 , wherein a plurality of refrigerant compressors are provided, each refrigerant compressor having a compressor unit which draws in refrigerant with a suction port, compresses it and delivers it by way of a pressure port, wherein the refrigerant compressor has an electrical drive unit driving the compressor unit and wherein the refrigerant compressor is provided with a control unit which cooperates with at least one of i) operating units and ii) status acquisition units associated with the refrigerant compressor or the refrigerant circuit,
 wherein the control unit comprises a base module which has at least one processor and at least one memory store for the required program code and data for operating the processor and also terminals for operating units carrying out at least one of i) basic functions and ii) status acquisition units and wherein the processor and the program code stored in the memory store are configured so that operating units carrying out additional functions by way of an additional module connectable to at least one of i) the base module and ii) status acquisition units are also operable with these.   
     
     
         65 . The refrigerant circuit according to  claim 64 , wherein the refrigerant compressors are connected in parallel in the refrigerant circuit. 
     
     
         66 . The refrigerant circuit according to  claim 64 , wherein the control units of the refrigerant compressors communicate by way of the respective base module. 
     
     
         67 . The refrigerant circuit according to  claim 64 , wherein the system controller cooperates directly with the respective control unit of the refrigerant compressor. 
     
     
         68 . The refrigerant circuit according to  claim 64 , wherein the system controller cooperates with the control unit of one of the refrigerant compressors and this control unit in turn cooperates with the other control units.