Patent ID: 8904814
Filing Date: 2014-12-09
Classification: F04B

Abstract:
1. A method of determining fault conditions in a compressor for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system comprising: storing a plurality of predefined ranges of current values for a motor drive current, each predefined range of current values of the plurality of predefined ranges of current values being associated with a corresponding outdoor ambient temperature and including: measuring an outdoor ambient temperature for the HVAC system; measuring a current of a motor drive for the compressor; selecting a predefined range of current values from the plurality of predefined ranges of current values using the measured outdoor ambient temperature; comparing the measured current to the first range of current values, the second range of current values and the third range of current values; determining acceptable operation of the compressor in response to the measured current being located in the first range of current values; determining a potential fault condition in response to the measured current being located in either the second range of current values or the third range of current values, the determined potential fault condition being based on the range of current values in which the measured current is located; and changing an operating condition of the compressor in response to the determined potential fault condition.