Abstract:
A compressor is provided and includes a shell, a compression mechanism, a motor, a data module, and a compressor controller. The data module includes a data module processor and a data module memory. The compressor controller includes a controller processor and a controller memory distinct from the data module processor and the data module memory. The data module receives sensed data, stores the sensed data in the data module memory, determines a first diagnosis of the compressor based on the sensed data, and communicates the sensed data and the first diagnosis to the compressor controller. The compressor controller determines a second diagnosis of the compressor based on the sensed data and verifies the first diagnosis by comparing the first diagnosis to the second diagnosis.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/850,846, filed on Sep. 6, 2007. This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/842,898, filed on Sep. 7, 2006. The disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to compressors, and more particularly, to a data module for use with a compressor. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art. 
     Compressors are used in a wide variety of industrial and residential applications to circulate refrigerant within a refrigeration, heat pump, HVAC, or chiller system (generically referred to as “refrigeration systems”) to provide a desired heating and/or cooling effect. In any of the foregoing applications, the compressor should provide consistent and efficient operation to ensure that the particular refrigeration system functions properly. 
     Refrigeration systems and associated compressors may include a protection device that intermittently restricts power to the compressor to prevent operation of the compressor and associated components of the refrigeration system (i.e., evaporator, condenser, etc.) when conditions are unfavorable. For example, when a particular fault or failure is detected within the compressor, the protection device may restrict power to the compressor to prevent operation of the compressor and refrigeration system under such conditions. 
     The types of faults that may cause protection concerns include electrical, mechanical, and system faults. Electrical faults typically have a direct effect on an electrical motor associated with the compressor, while mechanical faults generally include faulty bearings or broken parts. Mechanical faults often raise a temperature of working components within the compressor and, thus, may cause malfunction of, and possible damage to, the compressor. 
     In addition to electrical and mechanical faults associated with the compressor, the refrigeration system components may be affected by system faults attributed to system conditions such as an adverse level of fluid disposed within the system or to a blocked-flow condition external to the compressor. Such system conditions may raise an internal compressor temperature or pressure to high levels, thereby damaging the compressor and causing system inefficiencies and/or failures. To prevent system and compressor damage or failure, the compressor may be shut down by the protection system when any of the aforementioned conditions are present. 
     Conventional protection systems may sense temperature and/or pressure parameters as discrete switches to interrupt power supplied to the electrical motor of the compressor should a predetermined temperature or pressure threshold be exceeded. Such systems typically employ multiple temperature and pressure sensors to detect operating parameters of the compressor, which results in a complex and costly protection system. 
     Because conventional protection systems directly control a compressor to which they are tied, conventional protection systems cannot be used with multiple control modules, and may only be used with a single compressor and a single controller. 
     SUMMARY 
     A compressor is provided and may include a shell, a compression mechanism, a motor, a data module, and a compressor controller. The data module may include a data module processor and a data module memory. The compressor controller may include a controller processor and a controller memory distinct from the data module processor and the data module memory. The data module may receive sensed data, may store the sensed data in the data module memory, may determine a first diagnosis of the compressor based on the sensed data, and may communicate the sensed data and the diagnosis to the compressor controller. The compressor controller may determine a second diagnosis of the compressor based on the sensed data and may verify the first diagnosis by comparing the first diagnosis to the second diagnosis. 
     In another configuration, a refrigeration system is provided and may include a compressor with a shell, a compression mechanism, and a motor. The system may additionally include a data module having a data module processor and a data module memory. The data module may receive sensed data, may store the sensed data in the data module memory, and may determine a first diagnosis of at least one of the refrigeration system and the compressor based on the sensed data. The system may also include a compressor controller having a controller processor and a controller memory distinct from the data module processor and the data module memory. The compressor controller may determine a second diagnosis of at least one of the refrigeration system and the compressor based on the sensed data and may verify the first diagnosis by comparing the first diagnosis to the second diagnosis. 
     Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a compressor incorporating a data module in accordance with the principles of the present teachings; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the compressor of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic representation of a refrigeration system incorporating the compressor of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a table illustrating various sensor combinations used to determine various compressor and system operating parameters; 
         FIG. 5  is a graph of compressor current versus condenser temperature for use in determining condenser temperature at a given evaporator temperature; 
         FIG. 6  is a graph of discharge temperature versus evaporator temperature for use in determining an evaporator temperature at a given condenser temperature; 
         FIG. 7  is a graph of discharge superheat versus suction superheat to determine suction superheat at a given outdoor/ambient temperature; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic representation of the data module of  FIG. 1  shown in communication with a diagnostic and control module and a plurality of sensors; 
         FIG. 9  is a more detailed schematic representation of the data module of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic representation of another data module for use with the compressor of  FIG. 1  incorporating a diagnostic and control module and in communication with a plurality of sensors. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features. As used herein, the term module refers to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated or group) and memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, or other suitable components that proved the described functionality. 
     With reference to the drawings, a compressor  10  is shown incorporating a protection and control system  12 . The protection and control system  12  utilizes a series of sensors and non-measured operating parameters derived from information received from the sensors to diagnose the compressor  10  and refrigeration system  11  to which the compressor  10  may be tied. The protection and control system  12  includes a data module  14  and a diagnostics and control module  15 . The data module  14  may provide multiple levels of data for use by the diagnostics and control module  15  in diagnosing and controlling the compressor  10  and/or refrigeration system  11 . For example, the data module  14  may provide three levels of data for use by the diagnostics and control module  15 , including sensor data, non-measured operating parameters (i.e., processed sensor data), and diagnostics for use by the diagnostics and control module  15  in diagnosing and controlling the compressor  10  and/or refrigeration system  11 . 
     The data provided by the data module  14  is not controller specific. Therefore, the data module  14  may be used with any control module. Providing the data module  14  with the ability to be used with any control module allows the data module  14  flexibility in that the data module  14  may be used with various controllers of various manufacturers and configurations. 
     With particular reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the compressor  10  is shown to include a generally cylindrical hermetic shell  17  having a welded cap  16  at a top portion and a base  18  having a plurality of feet  20  welded at a bottom portion. The cap  16  and the base  18  are fitted to the shell  17  such that an interior volume  22  of the compressor  10  is defined. The cap  16  is provided with a discharge fitting  24 , while the shell  17  is similarly provided with an inlet fitting  26 , disposed generally between the cap  16  and base  18 , as best shown in  FIG. 2 . In addition, an electrical enclosure  28  is fixedly attached to the shell  17  generally between the cap  16  and the base  18  and supports a portion of the protection and control system  12  therein. 
     A crankshaft  30  is rotatably driven by an electric motor  32  relative to the shell  17 . The motor  32  includes a stator  34  fixedly supported by the hermetic shell  17 , windings  36  passing therethrough, and a rotor  38  press-fit on the crankshaft  30 . The motor  32  and associated stator  34 , windings  36 , and rotor  38  cooperate to drive the crankshaft  30  relative to the shell  17  to compress a fluid. 
     The compressor  10  further includes an orbiting scroll member  40  having a spiral vein or wrap  42  on an upper surface thereof for use in receiving and compressing a fluid. An Oldham coupling  44  is disposed generally between the orbiting scroll member  40  and bearing housing  46  and is keyed to the orbiting scroll member  40  and a non-orbiting scroll member  48 . The Oldham coupling  44  transmits rotational forces from the crankshaft  30  to the orbiting scroll member  40  to compress a fluid disposed generally between the orbiting scroll member  40  and the non-orbiting scroll member  48 . Oldham coupling  44 , and its interaction with orbiting scroll member  40  and non-orbiting scroll member  48 , is preferably of the type disclosed in assignee&#39;s commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,320,506, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     Non-orbiting scroll member  48  also includes a wrap  50  positioned in meshing engagement with the wrap  42  of the orbiting scroll member  40 . Non-orbiting scroll member  48  has a centrally disposed discharge passage  52 , which communicates with an upwardly open recess  54 . Recess  54  is in fluid communication with the discharge fitting  24  defined by the cap  16  and a partition  56 , such that compressed fluid exits the shell  17  via discharge passage  52 , recess  54 , and fitting  24 . Non-orbiting scroll member  48  is designed to be mounted to bearing housing  46  in a suitable manner such as disclosed in assignee&#39;s commonly owned U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,877,382 and 5,102,316, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     The electrical enclosure  28  includes a lower housing  58 , an upper housing  60 , and a cavity  62 . The lower housing  58  is mounted to the shell  17  using a plurality of studs  64 , which are welded or otherwise fixedly attached to the shell  17 . The upper housing  60  is matingly received by the lower housing  58  and defines the cavity  62  therebetween. The cavity  62  is positioned on the shell  17  of the compressor  10  and may be used to house respective components of the protection and control system  12  and/or other hardware used to control operation of the compressor  10  and/or refrigeration system  11 . 
     With particular reference to  FIG. 2 , the compressor  10  includes an actuation assembly  65  that selectively separates the orbiting scroll member  40  from the non-orbiting scroll member  48  to modulate a capacity of the compressor  10 . The actuation assembly  65  may include a solenoid  66  connected to the orbiting scroll member  40  and a controller  68  coupled to the solenoid  66  for controlling movement of the solenoid  66  between an extended position and a retracted position. 
     Movement of the solenoid  66  into the extended position separates the wraps  42  of the orbiting scroll member  40  from the wraps  50  of the non-orbiting scroll member  48  to reduce an output of the compressor  10 . Conversely, movement of the solenoid  66  into the retracted position moves the wraps  42  of the orbiting scroll member  40  closer to the wraps  50  of the non-orbiting scroll member  48  to increase an output of the compressor. In this manner, the capacity of the compressor  10  may be modulated in accordance with demand or in response to a fault condition. 
     While movement of the solenoid  66  into the extended position is described as separating the wraps  42  of the orbiting scroll member  40  from the wraps  50  of the non-orbiting scroll member  48 , movement of the solenoid  66  into the extended position could alternately move the wraps  42  of the orbiting scroll member  40  into engagement with the wraps  50  of the non-orbiting scroll member  48 . Similarly, while movement of the solenoid  66  into the retracted position is described as moving the wraps  42  of the orbiting scroll member  40  closer to the wraps  50  of the non-orbiting scroll member  48 , movement of the solenoid  66  into the retracted position could alternately move the wraps  42  of the orbiting scroll member  40  away from the wraps  50  of the non-orbiting scroll member  48 . The actuation assembly  65  is preferably of the type disclosed in assignee&#39;s commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,412,293, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     With particular reference to  FIG. 3 , the refrigeration system  11  includes a condenser  70 , an evaporator  72 , and an expansion device  74  disposed generally between the condenser  70  and the evaporator  72 . The refrigeration system  11  also includes a condenser fan  76  associated with the condenser  70  and an evaporator fan  78  associated with the evaporator  72 . Each of the condenser fan  76  and the evaporator fan  78  may be variable-speed fans that can be controlled based on a cooling and/or heating demand of the refrigeration system  11 . Furthermore, each of the condenser fan  76  and evaporator fan  78  may be controlled by the protection and control system  12  such that operation of the condenser fan  76  and evaporator fan  78  may be coordinated with operation of the compressor  10 . 
     In operation, the compressor  10  circulates refrigerant generally between the condenser  70  and evaporator  72  to produce a desired heating and/or cooling effect. The compressor  10  receives vapor refrigerant from the evaporator  72  generally at the inlet fitting  26  and compresses the vapor refrigerant between the orbiting scroll member  40  and the non-orbiting scroll member  48  to deliver vapor refrigerant at discharge pressure at discharge fitting  24 . 
     Once the compressor  10  has sufficiently compressed the vapor refrigerant to discharge pressure, the discharge-pressure refrigerant exits the compressor  10  at the discharge fitting  24  and travels within the refrigeration system  11  to the condenser  70 . Once the vapor enters the condenser  70 , the refrigerant changes phase from a vapor to a liquid, thereby rejecting heat. The rejected heat is removed from the condenser  70  through circulation of air through the condenser  70  by the condenser fan  76 . When the refrigerant has sufficiently changed phase from a vapor to a liquid, the refrigerant exits the condenser  70  and travels within the refrigeration system  11  generally towards the expansion device  74  and evaporator  72 . 
     Upon exiting the condenser  70 , the refrigerant first encounters the expansion device  74 . Once the expansion device  74  has sufficiently expanded the liquid refrigerant, the liquid refrigerant enters the evaporator  72  to change phase from a liquid to a vapor. Once disposed within the evaporator  72 , the liquid refrigerant absorbs heat, thereby changing from a liquid to a vapor and producing a cooling effect. If the evaporator  72  is disposed within an interior of a building, the desired cooling effect is circulated into the building to cool the building by the evaporator fan  78 . if the evaporator  72  is associated with a heat-pump refrigeration system, the evaporator  72  may be located remote from the building such that the cooling effect is lost to the atmosphere and the rejected heat experienced by the condenser  70  is directed to the interior of the building to heat the building. In either configuration, once the refrigerant has sufficiently changed phase from a liquid to a vapor, the vaporized refrigerant is received by the inlet fitting  26  of the compressor  10  to begin the cycle anew. 
     With particular reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the protection and control system  12  is shown to include a current sensor  80 , a temperature sensor  82 , a liquid line temperature sensor  84 , and an outdoor/ambient temperature sensor  86 . The protection and control system  12  also includes processing circuitry  88 ,  89 , respectively associated with the data module  14  and diagnostics and control module  15 , and a power interruption system  90 . The processing circuitry  88 ,  89  and power interruption system  90  may be disposed within the electrical enclosure  28  mounted to the shell  17  of the compressor  10  ( FIG. 2 ). The sensors  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86  cooperate to provide the processing circuitry  88  of the data module  14  with sensor data indicative of compressor and/or refrigeration system operating parameters for use by the processing circuitry  88  in determining operating parameters of the compressor  10  and/or refrigeration system  11  that are not directly sensed by a sensor (hereinafter “non-measured operating parameters”). The processing circuitry  88  may use the sensor data to compute the non-measured operating parameters. 
     The processing circuitry  88  may use the sensor data and/or non-measured operating parameters to diagnose the compressor  10  and/or refrigeration system  11 . The data module  14  may transmit the sensor data, derived non-measured operating parameters, and/or compressor/refrigeration system diagnosis to the processing circuitry  89  of the diagnostics and control module  15  for use by the processing circuitry  89  in diagnosing and controlling the compressor  10  and/or refrigeration system  11 . Because the data module  14  provides compressor and/or refrigeration system operational data, the data module  14  is not controller specific and may be used with various control modules including diagnostics and control module  15 . Operation of the data module  14  and diagnostics and control module  15  will be described in detail below. 
     The current sensor  80  may provide diagnostics related to high-side faults such as compressor mechanical failures, motor failures, and electrical component failures such as missing phase, reverse phase, motor winding current imbalance, open circuit, low voltage, locked rotor current, excessive motor winding temperature, welded or open contactors, and short cycling. The current sensor  80  may monitor compressor current and voltage for use in determining and differentiating between mechanical failures, motor failures, and electrical component failures. 
     The current sensor  80  may be mounted within the electrical enclosure  28  or may alternatively be incorporated inside the shell  17  of the compressor  10  ( FIG. 2 ). In either case, the current sensor  80  may monitor current drawn by the compressor  10  and generate a signal indicative thereof, such as disclosed in assignee&#39;s commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,615,594, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/027,757 filed on Dec. 30, 2004, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/059,646 filed on Feb. 16, 2005, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     While a current sensor  80  is disclosed, the protection and control system  12  may also include a discharge-pressure sensor  92  mounted in a discharge-pressure zone and/or a temperature sensor  94  mounted within or near the compressor shell  17  such as within the discharge fitting  24  ( FIG. 2 ) or in an external system such as the condenser  70  ( FIG. 3 ). The temperature sensor  94  may additionally or alternatively be positioned external of the compressor  10  along a conduit  103  extending generally between the compressor  10  and the condenser  70  ( FIG. 3 ) and may be disposed in close proximity to an inlet of the condenser  70 . Any or all of the foregoing sensors may be used in conjunction with the current sensor  80  to provide the protection and control system  12  with additional system information. 
     The temperature sensor  82  generally provides data related to low-side faults such as a low charge in the refrigerant, a plugged orifice, an evaporator fan failure, or a leak in the compressor  10 . The temperature sensor  82  may be disposed proximate to the discharge fitting  24  or the discharge passage  52  of the compressor  10  and may monitor a discharge line temperature of a compressed fluid exiting the compressor  10 . In addition to the foregoing, the temperature sensor  82  may be disposed external from the compressor shell  17  and proximate to the discharge fitting  24  such that vapor at discharge pressure encounters the temperature sensor  82 . Locating the temperature sensor  82  external of the shell  17  allows flexibility in compressor and system design by providing the temperature sensor  82  with the ability to be readily adapted for use with practically any compressor and any system. 
     While the temperature sensor  82  may provide discharge line temperature information, the protection and control system  12  may also include a suction-pressure sensor  96  or a low-side temperature sensor  98 , which may be mounted proximate to an inlet of the compressor  10 . In one configuration, the suction pressure sensor  96  or the low-side temperature sensor  98  is located proximate to the inlet fitting  26  ( FIG. 2 ) or is mounted in an external system such as the evaporator  72  ( FIG. 3 ). The suction-pressure sensor  96  and low-side temperature sensor  98  may additionally or alternatively be disposed along a conduit  105  extending generally between the evaporator  72  and the compressor  10  ( FIG. 3 ) and may be disposed in close proximity to an outlet of the evaporator  72 . Any or all of the foregoing sensors may be used in conjunction with the temperature sensor  82  to provide the protection and control system  12  with additional system information. 
     While the temperature sensor  82  may be positioned external to the shell  17  of the compressor  10 , the discharge temperature of the compressor  10  can similarly be measured within the shell  17  of the compressor  10 . A discharge-core temperature, taken generally at the discharge fitting  24 , could be used in place of the discharge line temperature arrangement shown in  FIG. 2 . A hermetic terminal assembly  100  may be used with such an internal discharge temperature sensor to maintain the sealed nature of the compressor shell  17 . 
     The liquid line temperature sensor  84  may be positioned either within the condenser  70  or may be positioned along a conduit  102  extending generally between an outlet of the condenser  70  and the expansion device  74 . In this position, the temperature sensor  84  is located in a position within the refrigeration system  11  that represents a liquid location that is common to both a cooling mode and a heating mode if the refrigeration system  11  is a heat pump. Because the liquid line temperature sensor  84  is disposed generally near an outlet of the condenser  70  or along the conduit  102  extending generally between the outlet of the condenser  70  and the expansion device  74 , the liquid line temperature sensor  84  encounters liquid refrigerant (i.e., after the refrigerant has changed from a vapor to a liquid within the condenser  70 ) and therefore can provide an indication of a temperature of the liquid refrigerant to the processing circuitry  88 . While the liquid line temperature sensor  84  is described as being near an outlet of the condenser  70  or along a conduit  102  extending between the condenser  70  and the expansion device  74 , the liquid line temperature sensor  84  may also be placed anywhere within the refrigeration system  11  that would allow the liquid line temperature sensor  84  to provide an indication of a temperature of liquid refrigerant within the refrigeration system  11  to the processing circuitry  88 . 
     The outdoor/ambient temperature sensor  86  may be located external from the compressor shell  17  and generally provides an indication of the outdoor/ambient temperature surrounding the compressor  10  and/or refrigeration system  11 . The outdoor/ambient temperature sensor  86  may be positioned adjacent to the compressor shell  17  such that the outdoor/ambient temperature sensor  86  is in close proximity to the processing circuitry  88  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ). Placing the outdoor/ambient temperature sensor  86  in close proximity to the compressor shell  17  provides the processing circuitry  88  of the data module  14  with a measure of the temperature generally adjacent to the compressor  10 . Locating the outdoor/ambient temperature sensor  86  in close proximity to the compressor shell  17  not only provides the processing circuitry  88  with an accurate measure of the surrounding air around the compressor  10 , but also allows the outdoor/ambient temperature sensor  86  to be attached to or disposed within the electrical enclosure  28 . 
     The processing circuitry  88  of the data module  14  may receive sensor information from the current sensor  80 , temperature sensor  82 , liquid line temperature sensor  84 , and outdoor/ambient temperature sensor  86 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the processing circuitry  88  uses the sensor data from the respective sensors  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86  to determine non-measured operating parameters of the compressor  10  and/or refrigeration system  11 . 
     The processing circuitry  88  may be able to determine non-measured operating parameters of the compressor  10  and/or refrigeration system  11  based on sensor data received from the respective sensors  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86  without requiring individual sensors for each of the non-measured operating parameters. The processing circuitry  88  may be able to determine condenser temperature (T cond ), subcooling of the refrigeration system  11 , a temperature difference between the condenser temperature and outdoor/ambient temperature condenser (TD), and a discharge superheat of the refrigeration system  11 . 
     The processing circuitry  88  may determine the condenser temperature by referencing compressor power on a compressor map. The derived condenser temperature is generally the saturated condenser temperature equivalent to the discharge pressure for a particular refrigerant. The condenser temperature should be close to a temperature at a mid-point of the condenser  70 . Using a compressor map to determine the condenser temperature provides a more accurate representation of the overall temperature of the condenser  70  when compared to a condenser temperature value provided by a temperature sensor mounted on a coil of the condenser  70 , as the condenser coil likely includes many parallel circuits having different temperatures. 
       FIG. 5  is an example of a compressor map showing compressor current versus condenser temperature at various evaporator temperatures (T evap ). As shown, current remains fairly constant irrespective of evaporator temperature. Therefore, while an exact evaporator temperature can be determined by a second degree polynomial (i.e., a quadratic function), for purposes of control, the evaporator temperature can be determined by a first degree polynomial (i.e., a linear function) and can be approximated as roughly 45, 50, or 55 degrees Fahrenheit. The error associated with choosing an incorrect evaporator temperature is minimal when determining the condenser temperature. While compressor current is shown, compressor power and/or voltage may be used in place of current for use in determining condenser temperature. Compressor power may be determined based on the current drawn by motor  32 , as indicated by the current sensor  80 . 
     Once the compressor current is known it may adjust for voltage based on a baseline voltage contained in a compressor map. The condenser temperature may be determined by comparing compressor current with condenser temperature using the graph shown in  FIG. 5 . The above process for determining the condenser temperature is described in assignee&#39;s commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/059,646 filed on Feb. 16, 2005, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     Once the condenser temperature is known, the processing circuitry  88  may then determine the subcooling of the refrigeration system  11  by subtracting the liquid line temperature indicated by the liquid line temperature sensor  84  from the condenser temperature and then subtracting an additional small value (typically 2-3° F.) representing the pressure drop between an outlet of the compressor  10  and an outlet of the condenser  70 . The processing circuitry  88  is therefore able to determine not only the condenser temperature but also the subcooling of the refrigeration system  11  without requiring an additional temperature sensor for either operating parameter. 
     The processing circuitry  88  may also be able to calculate a temperature difference (TD) between the condenser  70  and the outdoor/ambient temperature surrounding the refrigeration system  11 . The processing circuitry  88  may determine the condenser temperature by referencing either the power or current drawn by the compressor  10  against the graph shown in  FIG. 5  without requiring a temperature sensor to be positioned within the condenser  70 . Once the condenser temperature is known (i.e., derived), the processing circuitry  88  can determine the temperature difference (TD) by subtracting the ambient temperature as received from the outdoor/ambient temperature sensor  86  from the derived condenser temperature. 
     The discharge superheat of the refrigeration system  11  may also be determined once the condenser temperature is known. Specifically, the processing circuitry  88  may determine the discharge superheat of the refrigeration system  11  by subtracting the condenser temperature from the discharge line temperature. As described above, the discharge line temperature may be detected by the temperature sensor  82  and is provided to the processing circuitry  88 . Because the processing circuitry  88  can determine the condenser temperature by referencing the compressor power against the graph shown in  FIG. 5 , and because the processing circuitry  88  knows the discharge line temperature based on information received from the temperature sensor  82 , the processing circuitry  88  can determine the discharge superheat of the compressor  10  by subtracting the condenser temperature from the discharge line temperature. 
     Once the discharge superheat is determined, the processing circuitry  88  can determine the suction superheat by referencing a plot as shown in  FIG. 7 . Specifically, the suction superheat may be determined by referencing the discharge superheat against the ambient temperature as indicated by the outdoor/ambient temperature sensor  86 . 
     Once the condenser temperature is determined, the processing circuitry  88  can reference a plot as shown in  FIG. 6  to determine the exact evaporator temperature based on discharge temperature information received from the temperature sensor  82 . Once both the condenser temperature and the evaporator temperature are known, the processing circuitry  88  can then determine compressor capacity and flow. 
     In addition to deriving the condenser temperature, evaporator temperature, subcooling, discharge superheat, compressor capacity and flow, and suction superheat, the processing circuitry  88  may also measure or estimate the fan power of the condenser fan  76  and/or evaporator fan  78  and derive a compressor power factor for use in determining the efficiency of the refrigeration system  11  and the capacity of the evaporator  72 . The fan power of the condenser fan  76  and/or evaporator fan  78  may be directly measured by sensors  85  associated with the fans  76 ,  78  or may be estimated by the processing circuitry  88 . 
     Once the non-measured operating parameters are determined, the performance of the compressor  10  and refrigeration system  11  can be determined by the data module  14 . As noted above, the data module  14  may provide three levels of data to the diagnostics and control module  15 . First, sensor data may be transmitted from the data module  14  to the diagnostics and control module  15  for use by the diagnostics and control module  15  in diagnosing and controlling the compressor  10  and refrigeration system  11 . Second, the sensor data and/or non-measured operating parameters may be transmitted to the diagnostics and control system  15  for use by the diagnostics and control module  15  in diagnosing and controlling the compressor  10  and/or refrigeration system  11 . Third, the sensor data, non-measured operating parameters, and compressor/refrigeration system diagnostics may be transmitted to the diagnostics and control module  15  for use by the diagnostics and control module  15  in diagnosing and controlling the compressor  10  and/or refrigeration system  11 . 
     The data module  14  may include configuration data and fault history data stored therein in addition to the three tiers of data discussed above. Configuration data may include compressor serial number, manufacturing date, compressor performance maps, etc., while fault history data may include a list of faults previously experienced by the compressor and/or refrigeration system and a related cause of the particular fault. The configuration data and fault history data may be provided to the diagnostics and control module  15  to update the diagnostics and control module  15  or to configure a new diagnostics and control module  15  should the diagnostics and control module  15  require replacement. For example, if the diagnostics and control module  15  becomes faulty and a new diagnostics and control module  15  is installed, the data module  14  may provide the configuration and/or fault history data to the new diagnostics and control module  15  to configure the diagnostics and control module  15 . Such configuration and fault history data may include data described in assignee&#39;s commonly-owned U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/674,781 filed on Apr. 26, 2005 now U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/405,021 filed on Apr. 14, 2006, the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     With particular reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , operation of the data module  14  and diagnostics and control module  15  will be described in detail. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the data module  14  receives inputs from the various sensors  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86 , which provide the data module  14  with current operating conditions of the compressor  10  and/or refrigeration system  11 . The processing circuitry  88  of the data module  14  may use the data from the respective sensors  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86  to determine non-measured operating parameters of the compressor  10  and/or refrigeration system  11 . 
     As described above, the data module  14  may determine non-measured operating parameters of the compressor  10  and/or refrigeration system  11  such as subcooling, condenser temperature, condenser temperature difference, suction superheat, discharge superheat, and evaporator temperature. For example, the data module  14  may receive liquid line temperature information from the liquid line temperature sensor  84  and current and/or voltage information from the current sensor  80  and may use the information received from the respective sensors  80 ,  84  to determine the condenser temperature and subcooling ( FIG. 4 ). Specifically, once the current drawn by the motor  32  is known by information received from current sensor  80 , the processing circuitry  88  of data module  14  may reference the current reading from the current sensor  80  against a compressor map such as the plot shown in  FIG. 5 , which may be stored within the data module  14 . Referencing the current drawn by the motor  32  against a compressor map such as the plot shown in  FIG. 5 , yields an approximated condenser temperature by referencing the current drawn by the motor  32  against an approximated evaporator temperature. Once the condenser temperature is determined by the processing circuitry  88 , the subcooling may then be determined simply by subtracting the liquid line temperature as measured by the liquid line temperature sensor  84  from the determined condenser temperature, as indicated in  FIG. 4 . 
     Once the processing circuitry  88  of the data module  14  has determined the non-measured parameters of the compressor  10  and/or refrigeration system  11 , the data module  14  may then transmit one or both of the sensor data received from sensors  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86  and the derived, non-measured parameters to the diagnostics and control module  15 . The processing circuitry  89  of the diagnostics and control module  15  may use the sensor data from the sensors  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86  and/or the derived, non-measured parameters to diagnose the compressor  10  and/or refrigeration system  11 . 
     Such diagnostics may be used to differentiate between various fault conditions of the compressor  10  and/or refrigeration system  11  and may be used to control/protect the compressor  10  and/or refrigeration system  11 . For example, the diagnostics and control module  15  may use the received data from the data module  14  to control a capacity of the compressor  10 . The diagnostics and control module  15  may modulate the compressor capacity by selectively separating the orbiting scroll member  40  from the non-orbiting scroll member  48  via solenoid  66 , by selectively toggling the compressor between an ON state and an OFF state, and/or through blocked-suction modulation. 
     In addition to simply transmitting the sensor data received from sensors  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86  and the non-measured parameters to the diagnostics and control module  15 , the data module  14  may also use the sensor data received from sensors  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86  and/or the non-measured parameters to diagnose the compressor  10  and/or refrigeration system  11 . Specifically, the processing circuitry  88  of the data module  14  may use the sensor data received from the sensors  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86  and the non-measured parameters to provide the diagnostics and control module  15  with a diagnosis of the compressor  10  and/or refrigeration system  11 . 
     In addition to the foregoing, the data module  14  may alternatively provide a diagnosis of the compressor  10  and/or refrigeration system  11  directly to the processing circuitry  89  of the diagnostics and control module  15  for use in directly controlling operation of the compressor  10  and/or refrigeration system  11 . 
     The diagnostics and control module  15  may use the diagnosis provided by the data module  14  for use in comparison to the diagnosis of the compressor  10  and/or refrigeration system  11  made by the processing circuitry  89  of the diagnostics and control module  15 . In this manner, the diagnostics and control module  15  is able to verify the diagnostics made by the processing circuitry  89  by comparing the diagnostic made by the processing circuitry  89  with that of the processing circuitry  88 . 
     In addition to transmitting the sensor data from sensors  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86 , the non-measured operating parameters, and the diagnosis of the compressor  10  and/or refrigeration system  11  to the diagnostics and control module  15 , the data module  14  may additionally or alternatively supply such sensor data, non-measured operating parameters, and/or diagnosis directly to an external system such as a computer or system controller  104  and/or hand-held device  106 . The diagnostics and control module  15  may also supply the computer  104  and/or hand-held device  106  with the sensor data, non-measured operating parameters, and/or diagnosis received from the data module  14  as well as the diagnostics performed by the diagnostics and control module  15  for use by the computer  104  and/or hand-held device  106 . 
     The computer  104  and/or hand-held device  106  may use the sensor data, non-measured operating parameters, and/or diagnosis to control, track and/or monitor operation of the compressor  10  and/or refrigeration system  11 . For example, the computer  104  may be remotely located from the compressor  10  and/or refrigeration system  11  such that the compressor  10  and/or refrigeration system  11  may be diagnosed, controlled, and monitored from a remote location. Providing a hand-held device  106  with the sensor data, non-measured operating parameters, and/or diagnostics performed by the data module  14  and/or diagnostics and control module  15  provides a service technician with an operational history of a compressor  10  and/or refrigeration system  11  for use in servicing the compressor  10  and/or refrigeration system  11 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the data module  14  and associated processing circuitry  88  may be separated from the diagnostics and control module  15  and associated processing circuitry  89 . For example, the data module  14  and associated processing circuitry  88  may be positioned within the electrical enclosure  28  such that the data module  14  and associated processing circuitry  88  are mounted to the shell  17  of the compressor  10  while the diagnostics and control module  15  and associated processing circuitry  89  are remotely located from the compressor  10 . Remotely locating the diagnostics and control module  15  from the data module  14  allows for remote control of the compressor  10  and/or refrigeration system  11 . 
     While the diagnostics and control module  15  may be remotely located from the data module  14 , the diagnostics and control module  15  may alternatively be received in the electrical enclosure  28  such that the diagnostics and control module  15  and associated processing circuitry  89  are mounted to the shell  17  of the compressor  10 .  FIG. 2  shows the data module  14  and associated processing circuitry  88  as well as the diagnostics and control module  15  and associated processing circuitry  88  being disposed generally within the electrical enclosure  28  and mounted to the shell  17  of the compressor  10 .  FIG. 10  schematically represents this relationship, whereby the data module  14  and diagnostics and control module  15  are integrated as a single unit. While the data module  14  and diagnostics and control module  15  are described as including separate processing circuitry  88 ,  89 , respectively, when the data module  14  and diagnostics and control module  15  are incorporated into the electrical enclosure  28 , the data module  14  and diagnostics and control module  15  may share processing circuitry. 
     While the data module  14  and diagnostics and control module  15  may both be received within the electrical enclosure  28  of the compressor  10 , separating the diagnostics and control module  15  from the data module  14 , such that the diagnostics and control module  15  is remotely located from the data module  14  and compressor  10 , allows the data module  14  to be used with various diagnostic and control modules. Because the data module  14  essentially serves as a hub for receiving sensor data and for determining non-measured operating parameters of a compressor and/or refrigeration system, the data module  14  may be used with virtually any diagnostics and control module  15 . 
     Original equipment manufacturers typically use different diagnostics and control modules and schemes. Therefore, a data module  14  that may be interchanged and used with any diagnostics and control module  15  allows a compressor  10  incorporating such a data module  14  to be used with virtually any diagnostics and control module  15 . 
     Those skilled in the art may now appreciate from the foregoing that the broad teachings of the present disclosure may be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this disclosure has been described in connection with particular examples thereof, the true scope of the disclosure should no be so limited since other modifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings, the specification and the following claims.