Apparatus and method for controlling operation of reciprocating compressor

Abstract

An apparatus and method for controlling an operation of a reciprocating compressor are disclosed. The apparatus for controlling an operation of a reciprocating compressor includes a microcomputer for outputting a control signal for controlling a stroke of a reciprocating compressor; and an electric circuit unit for selecting one of control paths of pre-set general mode and power-saving mode according to a control signal and controlling a stroke of the reciprocating compressor through the selected control path.

1 . An apparatus for controlling an operation of a reciprocating compressor comprising: 
 a microcomputer for outputting a control signal for controlling a stroke of a reciprocating compressor; and    an electric circuit unit for selecting one of control paths of pre-set general mode and power-saving mode according to a control signal and controlling a stroke of the reciprocating compressor through the selected control path.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the electric circuit unit includes a switching unit for selectively connecting one of control paths of pre-set general mode and power-saving mode according to a control signal.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the switching unit is a relay.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the microcomputer outputs a control signal for driving the reciprocating compressor in the general mode when a temperature of a cooling device adopting the reciprocating compressor is changed beyond a predetermined range or greater than a threshold temperature.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein, in the general mode, the stroke of the reciprocating compressor is varied by connecting a triac to a main coil of the reciprocating compressor and controlling an ON/OFF period of the connected triac.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the microcomputer outputs a control signal for controlling the ON/OFF period of the triac when the control path of the general mode is connected.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the microcomputer outputs a control signal for driving the reciprocating compressor in the power-saving mode when the temperature in the cooling device adopting the reciprocating compressor is changed within the predetermined range and lower than the threshold temperature.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein, in the power-saving mode, the predetermined value of stroke of the reciprocating compressor is maintained by connecting a sub-coil having the predetermined number of coils to a main coil in the reciprocating compressor.  
   
   
       9 . A method for controlling an operation of a reciprocating compressor comprising: 
 driving a reciprocating compressor in a general mode to control a stroke through an ON/OFF period of a triac;    determining whether the reciprocating compressor can be driven in a power-saving mode; and    driving the reciprocating compressor in the power-saving mode according to the determined result.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein, in the determining step, when the temperature in the cooling device employing the reciprocating compressor is changed beyond a predetermined range or higher than a threshold temperature, the reciprocating compressor is driven in the general mode.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein, in the general mode, the stroke of the reciprocating compressor is varied by connecting a triac to a main coil in the reciprocating compressor and controlling an ON/OFF period of the connected triac.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein, in the determining step, when the temperature in the cooling device employing the reciprocating compressor is changed within a predetermined range or lower than a threshold temperature, the reciprocating compressor is driven in the power-saving mode.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein, in the power-saving mode, the stroke of the reciprocating compressor is maintained at a predetermined value.