초록 ▼

A controller for a system having at least one variable-capacity, pulse-width modulated compressor and at least one fixed-capacity compressor is provided. The controller may include processing circuitry that modulates the at least one variable-capacity, pulse-width modulated compressor to any capacit

A controller for a system having at least one variable-capacity, pulse-width modulated compressor and at least one fixed-capacity compressor is provided. The controller may include processing circuitry that modulates the at least one variable-capacity, pulse-width modulated compressor to any capacity substantially between ten percent capacity and one hundred percent capacity. The processing circuitry may determine a desired capacity of the at least one variable capacity, pulse-width modulated compressor based on a load sensor signal and a current run percentage of the at least one variable capacity, pulse-width modulated compressor and may toggle the at least one fixed-capacity compressor between a run mode and a shutdown mode based on the desired capacity of the at least one variable-capacity, pulse-width modulated compressor.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A controller for a system having at least one variable-capacity, pulse-width modulated compressor and at least one fixed-capacity compressor, said controller comprising: processing circuitry operable to modulate the at least one variable-capacity, pulse-width modulated compressor to any capacity

1. A controller for a system having at least one variable-capacity, pulse-width modulated compressor and at least one fixed-capacity compressor, said controller comprising: processing circuitry operable to modulate the at least one variable-capacity, pulse-width modulated compressor to any capacity substantially between ten percent capacity and one hundred percent capacity, said processing circuitry determining a desired capacity of the at least one variable capacity, pulse-width modulated compressor based on a load sensor signal and a current run percentage of the at least one variable capacity, pulse-width modulated compressor and operable to toggle the at least one fixed-capacity compressor between a run mode and a shutdown mode based on said desired capacity of the at least one variable-capacity, pulse-width modulated compressor, said processing circuitry toggling the at least one fixed-capacity compressor into the run mode when the desired capacity of the at least one variable-capacity, pulse-width modulated compressor is at one hundred percent capacity for a first predetermined time. 2. The controller of claim 1, further comprising a module detecting compressor operating conditions. 3. The controller of claim 2, wherein said module is operable to communicate said compressor operating conditions to said processing circuitry. 4. The controller of claim 2, wherein said compressor operating conditions include an operating state of the at least one fixed-capacity compressor selected from the group comprising a run mode and a shutdown mode. 5. The controller of claim 4, wherein said compressor operating conditions include a suction pressure of the at least one variable-capacity, pulse-width modulated compressor. 6. The controller of claim 2, wherein said module monitors the variable-capacity, pulse-width modulated compressor for a second predetermined time to ensure that said compressor operating conditions are indicative of true compressor operating conditions. 7. The controller of claim 6, wherein said second predetermined time is approximately equal to a duty cycle of the variable-capacity, pulse-width modulated compressor. 8. The controller of claim 1, wherein said processing circuitry uses proportional-integral-derivative control or fuzzy logic to determine said current run percentage of the at least one variable-capacity, pulse-width modulated compressor. 9. The controller of claim 1, wherein said current run percentage is a run percentage of the at least one variable-capacity, pulse-width modulated compressor and said modulation is based on a comparison of said run percentage to a set point. 10. The controller of claim 9, wherein said set point is a suction-pressure set point. 11. The controller of claim 1, wherein said processing circuitry delays entry of the at least one fixed-capacity compressor into said run mode to allow the at least one variable-capacity, pulse-width modulated compressor to achieve said desired capacity. 12. The controller of claim 1, wherein said processing circuitry delays entry of the at least one fixed-capacity compressor into said shutdown mode to allow the at least one variable-capacity, pulse-width modulated compressor to achieve said desired capacity. 13. The controller of claim 1, wherein said processing circuitry times entry of the at least one fixed-capacity compressor into said run mode and said shutdown mode with the at least one variable-capacity, pulse-width modulated compressor achieving said desired capacity. 14. The controller of claim 1, wherein said processing circuitry said processing circuitry toggling the at least one fixed-capacity compressor into the shutdown mode when the desired capacity of the at least one pulse-width modulated compressor is at ten percent capacity for a second predetermined time.