Method and apparatus for oil sensing in a compressor

Abstract

A method comprising determining a first temperature of an oil inside a compressor; determining a second temperature at a moveable part of the compressor, wherein the second temperature at the moveable part is determined at a stationary part of the compressor being in contact with the moveable part; and deriving whether the compressor operates in a safe mode or in an unsafe mode based on an analysis of the determined first temperature and the determined second temperature at the moveable part.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 determining a first temperature of an oil inside a compressor;   determining a second temperature at a moveable part of the compressor which moves during the operation of the compressor, wherein the second temperature at the moveable part is determined at a stationary part of the compressor being in contact with the moveable part; and   deriving whether the compressor operates in a safe mode or in an unsafe mode based on a relationship of the determined first temperature and the determined second temperature at the moveable part.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first temperature of the oil inside the compressor is determined in an area where oil is collected. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the moveable part is lubricated by oil. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the oil which temperature is determined travels along an oil path to lubricate the moveable part. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the moveable part is an orbiting scroll of a scroll compressor. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises determining a vibration of the compressor, and wherein the step of deriving whether the compressor operates in a safe mode or in an unsafe mode is also based on an analysis of the determined vibration. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus comprising:
 means for determining a first temperature of an oil inside a compressor;   means for determining a second temperature at a moveable part of the compressor which moves during the operation of the compressor, wherein the second temperature at the moveable part is determined at a stationary part of the compressor being in contact with the moveable part; and   means for deriving whether the compressor operates in a safe mode or in an unsafe mode based on a relationship of the determined first temperature and the determined second temperature at the moveable part.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the first temperature of the oil inside the compressor is determined in an area where oil is collected. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the moveable part is a part of the compressor which is lubricated by oil. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the oil which temperature is determined travels along an oil path to lubricate the moveable part. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the moveable part is an orbiting scroll of a scroll compressor. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the apparatus further comprises means for determining a vibration of the compressor, and wherein the deriving of the means for deriving whether the compressor operates in a safe mode or in an unsafe mode is also based on an analysis of the determined vibration.