Patent ID: 7478539

Claim:
A control system for managing operation of a dual-piston linear compressor with an economizer cycle wherein a first piston operates as a first stage of the economizer cycle and a second piston operates as a second stage of the economizer cycle, the control system comprising: a controller coupled to the linear compressor to control a volume flow ratio of the linear compressor and to vary the linear compressor between the economizer cycle having a first gas flow path through the linear compressor and a single stage cycle having a second gas flow path through the linear compressor, the first gas flow path partially defined by the first piston receiving gas from an evaporator line and discharging gas to an economizer line, and further partially defined by the second piston receiving gas from the economizer line and discharging gas to a condenser line such that a suction chamber of the second stage is in fluid communication with a discharge chamber of the first stage; a first sensor coupled to the controller to measure a first operating condition of the linear compressor including a suction pressure of the linear compressor; a second sensor coupled to the controller to measure a second operating condition of the linear compressor including a discharge pressure of the linear compressor; and a third sensor coupled to the controller to measure a third operating condition of the linear compressor including an intermediate pressure of the linear compressor, wherein based upon the first operating condition measured by the first sensor, the second operating condition measured by the second sensor, and the third operating condition measured by the third sensor, the controller varies operation of at least one of the first and second pistons until the intermediate pressure is substantially equal to a pressure required for most efficient operation of the linear compressor.