Controlling a oxygen liquefaction system responsive to a disturbance in supplied power

Abstract

Normal operation of an oxygen liquefaction system ( 100 ) may be established responsive to a deviation in current supplied thereto. Current being supplied to a compressor ( 118 ) included in the oxygen liquefaction system may be monitored. The compressor may be deactivated responsive to commencement of a current level deviation event in the monitored current. The compressor may be energized responsive to cessation of the current level deviation event in the monitored current. Performance characteristics of the oxygen liquefaction system may be identified.

1 . A method for establishing normal operation of an oxygen liquefaction system responsive to a deviation in current supplied thereto, the method comprising:
 monitoring current being supplied to a compressor included in the oxygen liquefaction system;   deactivating the compressor responsive to commencement of a current level deviation event in the monitored current; and   energizing the compressor responsive to cessation of the current level deviation event in the monitored current.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the current level deviation event in the monitored current has a duration of less than 30 ms. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising identifying one or more performance characteristics of the oxygen liquefaction system. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein an individual one of the one or more performance characteristics is identified as an open refrigeration compressor circuit or a potential refrigerant leak responsive to the monitored current falling below a threshold level. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein an individual one of the one or more performance characteristics is identified as a potential refrigerant blockage responsive to the monitored current exceeding a threshold level. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus for establishing normal operation of an oxygen liquefaction system responsive to a deviation in current supplied thereto, the apparatus comprising:
 a current monitoring device configured to monitor current being supplied to a refrigeration compressor included in the oxygen liquefaction system; and   a power modulation device configured to deactivate the refrigeration compressor responsive to commencement of a current level deviation event in the monitored current and to energize the refrigeration compressor responsive to cessation of the current level deviation event in the monitored current.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the current level deviation event in the monitored current has a duration of less than 30 ms. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising one or more processors configured to execute computer program modules, the computer program modules including a performance characteristic identification module configured to identify one or more performance characteristics of the oxygen liquefaction system. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein an individual one of the one or more performance characteristics is identified as an open refrigeration compressor circuit or a potential refrigerant leak responsive to the monitored current falling below a threshold level. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein an individual one of the one or more performance characteristics is identified as a potential refrigerant blockage responsive to the monitored current exceeding a threshold level. 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus for establishing normal operation of an oxygen liquefaction system responsive to a deviation in current supplied thereto, the apparatus comprising:
 current monitoring means for monitoring current being supplied to a refrigeration compressor included in the oxygen liquefaction system;   deactivation means for deactivating the refrigeration compressor responsive to commencement of a current level deviation event in the monitored current; and   energization means for energizing the refrigeration compressor responsive to cessation of the current level deviation event in the monitored current.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the current level deviation event in the monitored current has a duration of less than 30 ms. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising performance characteristic identification means for identifying one or more performance characteristics of the oxygen liquefaction system. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein an individual one of the one or more performance characteristics is identified as an open refrigeration compressor circuit or a potential refrigerant leak responsive to the monitored current falling below a threshold level. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein an individual one of the one or more performance characteristics is identified as a potential refrigerant blockage responsive to the monitored current exceeding a threshold level.