Compressor with control and protection system

Abstract

A compressor protection and control subsystem for a rotary compressor provides temperature pressure, mis-wiring and vibrational protection for the scroll machine. The vibrational protection comprises a vibration sensor which is integrated on the circuit board of the protection and control subsystem. The vibration sensor, in conjunction with at least one timer, monitors the vibrations of the scroll machine and will shut down the machine when excess vibrations are sensed over a prespecified period of time. The temperature system monitors operating temperature conditions the pressure system monitors operating pressures and the mis-wiring system monitors the power supplied to the compressor. Once an undesirable characteristic is identified, the operation of the scroll machine is stopped. These protection systems are integrated into a single subsystem which identifies the reason of shutting off the scroll machine in order to simplify repairs needed. The subsystem incorporates a gateway and/or a serial peripheral interface in order to communicate with a central operating and control system.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A compressor assembly comprising: 
 a compressor;    at least one temperature sensor associated with said compressor;    at least one pressure sensor associated with said compressor; and    a control block in communication with said at least one temperature sensor and said at least one pressure sensor, said control block being operable to monitor operational characteristics of said compressor.    
     
     
         2 . The compressor assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising an oil level sensor in communication with said control block.  
     
     
         3 . The compressor assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein said compressor includes a shell, said oil level sensor being disposed within said shell.  
     
     
         4 . The compressor assembly according to  claim 2 , further comprising a crankcase heater associated with said compressor, said crankcase heater being in communication with said control block.  
     
     
         5 . The compressor assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a solenoid control system in communication with said control block.  
     
     
         6 . The compressor assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein said compressor includes a capacity control system, said capacity control system being in communication with said solenoid control system.  
     
     
         7 . The compressor assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein said compressor includes a liquid injection system, said liquid injection system being in communication with said solenoid control system.  
     
     
         8 . The compressor assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein said compressor includes an oil injection system, said oil injection system being in communication with said solenoid control system.  
     
     
         9 . A compressor protection and control system comprising: 
 a plurality of compressors;    a control block associated with each of said plurality of compressors;    at least one temperature sensor associated with each of said plurality of compressors, each of said at least one temperature sensor being in communication with a respective control block;    at least one pressure sensor associated with each of said plurality of compressors, each of said at least one pressure sensor being in communication with a respective control block; and    a central control in communication with each of said control blocks.    
     
     
         10 . The compressor protection and control system according to  claim 9 , further comprising an oil level sensor associated with each of said plurality of compressors, each of said oil level sensor being in communication with a respective control block.  
     
     
         11 . The compressor protection and control system according to  claim 10 , wherein each of said plurality of compressors includes a shell, each of said oil level sensors being disposed within a respective shell.  
     
     
         12 . The compressor protection and control system according to  claim 9 , further comprising a crankcase heater associated with each of said plurality of compressors, each of said oil level sensors being in communication with a respective control block.  
     
     
         13 . The compressor protection and control system according to  claim 9 , further comprising a solenoid control system associated with at least one of said plurality of compressors, said solenoid control system being in communication with a respective control block.  
     
     
         14 . The compressor protection and control system according to  claim 13 , wherein said solenoid control system includes a capacity control system, said capacity control system being in communication with said solenoid control system.  
     
     
         15 . The compressor protection and control system according to  claim 13 , wherein said solenoid control system includes a liquid injection system, said liquid injection system being in communication with said solenoid control system.  
     
     
         16 . The compressor protection and control system according to  claim 13 , wherein said solenoid control system includes an oil injection system, said oil injection system being in communication with said solenoid control system.