초록 ▼

An apparatus (38) is disclosed for controlling the level of oil in one or more compressors (10) of a refrigeration system. The compressors (10) are supplied with oil from a reservoir (28) which is in fluid communication via a common conduit (32) and second conduit (98) with the oil sump (not shown)

An apparatus (38) is disclosed for controlling the level of oil in one or more compressors (10) of a refrigeration system. The compressors (10) are supplied with oil from a reservoir (28) which is in fluid communication via a common conduit (32) and second conduit (98) with the oil sump (not shown) of each compressor (10). The apparatus (38) includes a housing composed of a main body portion and a spacer block. The body portion is provided with a chamber which houses a float. The chamber is in fluid communication with the oil sump of its respective compressor (10). As the oil level within the compressor (10) varies, the angle of pivot of float also varies. This variation is sensed by a sensor which produces a signal indicative of the level of the oil. When the signal is indicative that the level of oil within the compressor is below a first predetermined minimum level, solenoid valve (78) is opened and solenoid valve (82) closed. This allows oil from the reservoir (24) to flow via conduits (32 and 98) into the compressor. In another embodiment, if the signal is indicative that the oil level within the compressor is higher than a predetermined maximum level, solenoid valve (78) is caused to close and solenoid valve (82) caused to open resulting in oil being dumped from the compressor back to the oil reservoir (28) via conduits (98 and 32).

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] An oil level control apparatus for a compressor in a refrigeration system which includes an oil reservoir for holding a supply of oil and being in fluid communication with said compressor, said compressor having an oil pump and an oil sump, said apparatus comprising:an oil level sen

[ I claim:] [1.] An oil level control apparatus for a compressor in a refrigeration system which includes an oil reservoir for holding a supply of oil and being in fluid communication with said compressor, said compressor having an oil pump and an oil sump, said apparatus comprising:an oil level sensor in fluid communication with said compressor for producing a signal indicative of the level of oil within said compressor, said oil level sensor including a housing in which a chamber is formed, said housing adapted for attachment to a wall of said compressor and having separate first and second ducts, said first duct for spacing, and providing fluid communication between, said compressor and said chamber, and acting to stabilize oil within said chamber so that the oil in said chamber is substantially stagnant, and said second duct located above said first duct and providing a path through which refrigerant vapour disassociating from the oil in the chamber can return to said compressor;a float member pivotally mounted in said chamber, and a float position sensor for sensing the angle of pivoting of the float member and producing said signal;control means for operating first and second valves, said first valve adapted for controlling fluid communication between said oil sump and said reservoir and said second valve adapted for controlling fluid communication between said oil pump and said oil reservoir; andwherein, when said signal is indicative of the oil level in said compressor being less than a first predetermined minimum level, said control means operates to open said first valve and close said second valve providing fluid communication between said sump and said reservoir so that oil from said oil reservoir can flow into said oil sump; when said signal is indicative of the oil level in the compressor being greater than a predetermined maximum level, said control means operates to open said second valve and close said first valve providing fluid communication between said oil pump and said oil reservoir so that said oil pump can pump oil from said sump to said oil reservoir; and, when said signal is indicative of the oil level being between said predetermined minimum and maximum levels, said control means operates to close both said first valve and said second valve to prevent oil flow between said compressor and reservoir via said first and second valves.