Low ambient temperature operation management

Abstract

In various implementations, an air conditioner may operate in low ambient temperatures. In some implementations, operations of crankcase heater(s) and/or compressor(s) may be managed. For example, the crankcase heater(s) associated with compressors in which operation is restricted may be allowed to operate. In some implementations, operations of compressors may alternate.

1 . A method comprising:
 receiving a request for operation of an air conditioner;   determining an operation of compressors of the air conditioner based at least partially on the received request;   determining a temperature proximate a portion of the air conditioner;   determining if the determined temperature is less than a first predetermined low ambient temperature; and   allowing operation of one or more crankcase heaters associated with one or more compressors of the air conditioner in which operation is restricted, if the ambient temperature is determined to be less than the first predetermined low ambient temperature and if the determined operation of the compressors comprises a part load operation.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 restricting operation of one or more crankcase heaters associated with one or more compressors in which operation is restricted, if the ambient temperature is determined not to be less than the first predetermined low ambient temperature and if the determined operation of the compressors comprises a restricted operation.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 restricting operation of each of the one or more crankcase heaters associated with one or more compressors in which operation is allowed, if the ambient temperature is determined to be less than the first predetermined low ambient temperature and if the determined operation of the compressors comprises allowing operation.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined low ambient temperature comprises approximately 60 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein allowing operation of at least one of the crankcase heaters comprises determining an amount of heat to be provided based at least partially on the determined temperature. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 allowing at least one of the compressors, in which operation is restricted, to operate for a first period of time while allowing one or more of the compressors, in which operation is allowed, to be restricted for the first period of time.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the compressors comprise one or more first compressors and one or more second compressors, and further comprising:
 allowing one or more of the first compressors to operate for a first period of time and restricting operation of one or more of the second compressors for the first period of time, if the ambient temperature is determined to be less than the first predetermined low ambient temperature and if the determined operation of the compressors comprises a part load operation; and   allowing one or more of the second compressors to operate for a second period of time and restricting operation of one or more of the first compressors for the second period of time, after the first period of time has elapsed.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the first period of time is approximately the same as the second period of time. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 determining if the determined temperature is less than a second predetermined low ambient temperature;   allowing one or more of the first compressors to operate for a first period of time and restricting operation of one or more of the second compressors for the first period of time, if the ambient temperature is determined to be less than the first predetermined low ambient temperature and not less than the second predetermined low ambient temperature, and if the determined operation of the compressors comprises a part load operation;   allowing one or more of the second compressors to operate for a second period of time and restricting operation of one or more of the first compressors for the second period of time, after the first period of time has elapsed;   allowing one or more of the first compressors to operate for a third period of time and restricting operation of one or more of the second compressors for the third period of time, if the ambient temperature is determined to be less than the second predetermined low ambient temperature and if the determined operation of the compressors comprises a part load operation, wherein the third period of time is less than the first period of time; and   allowing one or more of the second compressors to operate for a fourth period of time and restricting operation of one or more of the first compressors for the fourth period of time, after the third period of time has elapsed, wherein the fourth period of time is less than the second period of time.   
     
     
         10 . A method comprising:
 receiving a request for operation of an air conditioner;   determining an operation of compressors of the air conditioner based at least partially on the received request;   determining a temperature proximate a portion of the air conditioner; and   determining if the determined temperature is less than a first predetermined low ambient temperature;   wherein if the ambient temperature is less than the first predetermined low ambient temperature and if the operation of the compressor comprises a part load operation, the method further comprising:
 restricting operation of one or more of the compressors for a first period of time; 
 allowing operation of one or more of the compressors for the first period of time; and 
 after the first period of time has elapsed:
 allowing operation of at least one of the compressors in which operation was restricted for the first period of time for a second period of time; and 
 restricting operation of at least one of the compressors in which operation was allowed for the first period of time for the second period of time. 
 
   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the first period of time is approximately equal to the second period of time. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first period of time or the second period of time comprises approximately 90 minutes to approximately 120 minutes. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 determining if the ambient temperature is less than a second predetermined low ambient temperature, wherein the second predetermined low ambient temperature is less than the first predetermined low ambient temperature;   wherein if the ambient temperature is less than the second predetermined low ambient temperature and if the determined operation of the compressors comprises a restricted operation:
 restricting operation of one or more compressors for a third period of time, wherein the third period of time is less than the first period of time; and 
 allowing operation of one or more of the compressors in which operation was restricted for the third period of time for a fourth period of time. 
   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the third period of time is approximately equal to the fourth period of time. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the third period of time or the fourth period of time comprises approximately 30 minutes to approximately 45 minutes. 
     
     
         16 . A method comprising:
 receiving a request for operation of an air conditioner;   determining an operation of compressors of the air conditioner based at least partially on the received request;   determining if an ambient temperature proximate at least a portion of the air conditioner is less than a first predetermined low ambient temperature;   determining if the ambient temperature is less than a second predetermined low ambient temperature, wherein the second predetermined low ambient temperature is less than the first predetermined low ambient temperature; and   allowing operation of a crankcase heater associated with one or more of the compressors in which operation is restricted, if the ambient temperature is determined to be less than the first predetermined low ambient temperature and not less than the second predetermined low ambient temperature, and if the determined operation of the compressors comprises a part load operation;   wherein if the ambient temperature is less than the second predetermined low ambient temperature and if the determined operation of the compressors comprises a part load operation:
 restricting operation of one or more compressors for a first period of time; 
 allowing operation of one or more crankcase heaters associated with one or more of the compressors in which operation is restricted for the first period of time; 
 allowing operation of one or more compressors for the first period of time; 
 allowing operation of at least one of the compressors in which operation was restricted for the first period of time for a second period of time; 
 restricting operation of at least one of the crankcase heaters associated with one or more of the compressors in which operation is allowed for the second period of time; and 
 restricting operation of at least one of the compressors in which operation was allowed for the first period of time for the second period of time. 
   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first period of time is approximately equal to the second period of time. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the first period of time or the second period of time is less than approximately 120 minutes. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 determining whether the ambient temperature is less than a third predetermined low ambient temperature, wherein the third predetermined low ambient temperature is less than the second predetermined low ambient temperature; and   if the ambient temperature is less than the third predetermined low ambient temperature, reducing at least one of the first period of time or the second period of time.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein at least one of the reduced first period of time or the reduced second period of time is less than approximately 45 minutes.