US 12,422,177 B2
Mitigating compressor liquid migration and/or floodback using suction temperature sensor and/or liquid level sensor
Thomas P. Buescher, Webster Groves, MO (US); Gregory E. Sisk, Farmington, MO (US); Charles P. Ketterer, St. Charles, MO (US); and Frank S. Wallis, Sidney, OH (US)
Assigned to Copeland Comfort Control LP, St. Louis, MO (US)
Filed by Copeland Comfort Control LP, St. Louis, MO (US)
Filed on Jul. 25, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/226,077.
Application 18/226,077 is a continuation of application No. 16/859,725, filed on Apr. 27, 2020, granted, now 11,768,019.
Prior Publication US 2023/0366596 A1, Nov. 16, 2023
Int. Cl. F25B 49/02 (2006.01); F04B 49/02 (2006.01); F25B 41/00 (2021.01)
CPC F25B 49/022 (2013.01) [F04B 49/02 (2013.01); F25B 41/006 (2013.01); F25B 2400/077 (2013.01); F25B 2500/26 (2013.01)] 23 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A control configured for connection with one or more line voltage sources and one or more components including a compressor, the control comprising:
a processor;
a relay operable by the processor to electrically connect or disconnect the one or more line voltage sources; and
a control circuit configured to be coupled for communication with and/to transmit control signals to the processor;
wherein the processor is configured to be coupled for communication with:
a temperature sensor configured to be operable for obtaining temperature readings of a suction line; and
a liquid detection sensor configured to be operable for detecting liquid within the compressor;
wherein the temperature sensor is a single negative temperature coefficient (NTC) temperature sensor configured to be operable for obtaining temperature readings of the suction line, and the processor is configured to receive analog signals of the temperature readings of the suction line obtained by the single NTC temperature sensor;
wherein the liquid detection sensor is a single optical liquid detection sensor configured to be operable for detecting liquid within the compressor, and the processor is configured to receive digital signals from the single optical liquid detection sensor;
whereby the control is configured to be operable for providing liquid migration protection for the compressor during an OFF cycle of system demand and/or liquid floodback protection for the compressor during the ON cycle of system demand.