Patent ID: 6073457
Filing Date: 2000-06-13
Classification: B60H,F04C,F25B

Abstract:
A method for operating an air conditioner in a motor vehicle, whereby the air conditioner comprises a refrigerant circuit including:an evaporator;a compressor driven by an engine, said compressor being output-controlled;a condenser;an expansion device; andan electronic control device in electronic communication with said refrigerant circuit which, as a function of input signals, generates output signals for driving actuators for output-controlled components of the air conditioner,whereby the evaporator and the condenser each are assigned a blower for applying an air flow, and wherein said evaporator, compressor, condenser and expansion device are in fluid communication with one another;the method comprising:detecting at least two state variables of the refrigerant circuit;determining a value relating to the current delivery rate of the compressor (V.sub.stroke), said value being derived from the at least two state variables detected; anddetermining whether the compressor is being operated outside its maximum delivery rate by comparing said determined value with a predetermined value for the maximum delivery rate of the compressor (V.sub.max).