System and method for operating a variable speed compressor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Variable capacity HVAC systems are costly due to the need for electronic thermostats with microprocessors to communicate control signals and data over a system bus, creating a barrier for users to enjoy the benefits of these systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and HVAC assembly that operate a variable speed compressor using a computing element to transmit control signals and determine operational speed based on outdoor air temperature data, operational run time, and estimated day period, eliminating the need for expensive communicating controls by using a thermostat to send control signals and a sensing device to measure outdoor air temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a communicating thermostat with microprocessor and system bus is used to control variable capacity compressor, then the compressor can be controlled efficiently with speed and capacity communication, but the system cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the communicating control features from the thermostat and relocates them to the compressor control board. The thermostat is simplified to provide only basic operational signals (heat/cool/dehumidify commands), while the intelligent processing and speed modulation capabilities are moved to the compressor side, eliminating the need for expensive communicating thermostats and system buses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a simple signal interface as an intermediary between the basic thermostat and the intelligent compressor control board. This intermediary allows the thermostat to communicate essential operational mode signals without requiring complex communicating protocols, while the control board interprets these simple signals and manages compressor speed accordingly.
2Device complexity
If a simple thermostat without microprocessor is used, then the system cost is reduced, but the ability to control variable speed compressor efficiently is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the intelligent control processing from the thermostat and places it in the compressor control board. This allows the use of a simple, inexpensive thermostat while maintaining advanced variable speed control capabilities through the external control board that receives basic operational signals and translates them into precise compressor speed commands.
Solution Approach 2:
The compressor control board performs self-service by autonomously determining compressor speed and capacity based on simple operational signals from the thermostat and environmental sensor data. The control board independently calculates required cooling/heating loads and modulates compressor speed without requiring complex thermostat processing or communicating infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a variable speed compressor, the variable speed compressor in electrical communication with a computing element and the computing element in electrical communication with a sensing device, the method including operating the computing element to transmit a control signal to the compressor to operate in an operational mode, operating the computing element to receive outdoor air temperature data from the sensing device, operating the computing element to determine an operational run time value of the compressor based in part on the outside air temperature data, operating the computing element to determine an estimated day period based in part on the control signal, and operating the compressor at an operational speed based in part on the outdoor air temperature data, the operational run time value, and the estimated day period.