Variable speed compressor protection system and method

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 9494158
  • Patent Number
    9,494,158
  • Date Filed
    Tuesday, May 14, 2013
    11 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, November 15, 2016
    8 years ago
Abstract
A system and method for a compressor includes a compressor connected to a condenser, a discharge line temperature sensor that outputs a discharge line temperature signal corresponding to a discharge line temperature of refrigerant leaving the compressor, and a control module connected to the discharge line temperature sensor. The control module determines a saturated condenser temperature, calculates a discharge superheat temperature based on the saturated condenser temperature and the discharge line temperature, and monitors a flood back condition of the compressor by comparing the discharge superheat temperature with a predetermined threshold. The control module increases a speed of the compressor or decreases an opening of an expansion valve associated with the compressor when the discharge superheat temperature is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold.
Description
FIELD

The present disclosure relates to compressors, and more particularly, to a protection system for use with a variable speed compressor.


BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.


Compressors may be used in a wide variety of industrial and residential applications to circulate refrigerant within a refrigeration, heat pump, HVAC, or chiller system (generically “refrigeration systems”) to provide a desired heating or cooling effect. In any of the foregoing applications, the compressor should provide consistent and efficient operation to insure that the particular application (i.e., refrigeration, heat pump, HVAC, or chiller system) functions properly. A variable speed compressor may be used to vary compressor capacity according to refrigeration system load.


Operation of the compressor during a flood back condition is undesirable. A flood back condition occurs when excessive liquid refrigerant flows into the compressor. Severe flood back can dilute the oil and reduce its lubrication property, leading to potential seizure. Although some mixture of liquid refrigerant and oil in the compressor may be expected, excessive mixture may cause damage to the compressor.


Likewise, operation of the compressor at excessive temperature levels may be damaging to the compressor. An overheat condition may damage internal compressor components including, for example, the electric motor.


SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.


A system is provided that includes a compressor connected to a condenser and a discharge line temperature sensor that outputs a discharge line temperature signal corresponding to a discharge line temperature of refrigerant leaving the compressor. The system also includes a control module connected to the discharge line temperature sensor. The control module determines a saturated condenser temperature, calculates a discharge superheat temperature based on the saturated condenser temperature and the discharge line temperature, and monitors a flood back condition of the compressor by comparing the discharge superheat temperature with a predetermined threshold. The control module also increases a speed of the compressor or decreases an opening of an expansion valve associated with the compressor when the discharge superheat temperature is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold.


A method is also provided and includes determining, with a control module, a saturated condenser temperature of a condenser connected to a compressor. The method also includes receiving, with the control module, a discharge line temperature signal that corresponds to a discharge line temperature of refrigerant leaving the compressor. The method also includes calculating, with the control module, a discharge superheat temperature based on the saturated condenser temperature and the discharge line temperature. The method also includes monitoring, with the control module, a flood back condition of the compressor by comparing the discharge superheat temperature with a predetermined threshold. The method also includes increasing a speed of the compressor or decreasing an opening of an expansion valve associated with the compressor when the discharge superheat temperature is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold.


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 schematic illustration of a refrigeration system.



FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a compressor with an inverter drive.



FIG. 3 is another perspective view of a compressor with an inverter driver.



FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of a compressor.



FIG. 5 is a graph showing discharge super heat correlated with suction super heat and outdoor temperature.



FIG. 6 is a graph showing condenser temperature correlated with compressor power and compressor speed.



FIG. 7 is a graph showing an operating envelope of a compressor.



FIG. 8 is a graph showing condensing temperature correlated with evaporator temperature and compressor power for a given compressor speed.



FIG. 9 is a graph showing discharge line temperature correlated with evaporator temperature and condenser temperature.



FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing derived data for a refrigeration system.



FIG. 11 is a schematic of a refrigeration system.



FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing derived data for a refrigeration system.



FIG. 13 is a graph showing mass flow correlated with inverter drive heat loss.



FIG. 14 is a graph showing inverter speed correlated with inverter efficiency.



FIG. 15 is a graph showing a control module with measured inputs and derived outputs.



FIG. 16 is a schematic of a refrigeration system.



FIG. 17 is a cross-section view of a compressor.





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 terms module, control module, and controller may refer to one or more of the following: 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 provide the described functionality. As used herein, computer readable medium may refer to any medium capable of storing data for a computer or module, including a processor. Computer-readable medium includes, but is not limited to, memory, RAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, CD-ROM, floppy disk, magnetic tape, other magnetic medium, optical medium, or any other device or medium capable of storing data for a computer.


With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary refrigeration system 5 includes a compressor 10 that compresses refrigerant vapor. While a specific refrigeration system is shown in FIG. 1, the present teachings are applicable to any refrigeration system, including heat pump, HVAC, and chiller systems. Refrigerant vapor from compressor 10 is delivered to a condenser 12 where the refrigerant vapor is liquefied at high pressure, thereby rejecting heat to the outside air. The liquid refrigerant exiting condenser 12 is delivered to an evaporator 16 through an expansion valve 14. Expansion valve 14 may be a mechanical or electronic valve for controlling super heat of the refrigerant. The refrigerant passes through expansion valve 14 where a pressure drop causes the high pressure liquid refrigerant to achieve a lower pressure combination of liquid and vapor. As hot air moves across evaporator 16, the low pressure liquid turns into gas, thereby removing heat from evaporator 16. The low pressure gas is again delivered to compressor 10 where it is compressed to a high pressure gas, and delivered to condenser 12 to start the refrigeration cycle again.


With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, compressor 10 may be driven by an inverter drive 22, also referred to as a variable frequency drive (VFD), housed in an enclosure 20. Enclosure 20 may be near compressor 10. Inverter drive 22 receives electrical power from a power supply 18 and delivers electrical power to compressor 10. Inverter drive 22 includes a control module 25 with a processor and software operable to modulate and control the frequency of electrical power delivered to an electric motor of compressor 10. Control module 25 includes a computer readable medium for storing data including the software executed by the processor to modulate and control the frequency of electrical power delivered to the electric motor of compressor and the software necessary for control module 25 to execute and perform the protection and control algorithms of the present teachings. By modulating the frequency of electrical power delivered to the electric motor of compressor 10, control module 25 may thereby modulate and control the speed, and consequently the capacity, of compressor 10.


Inverter drive 22 includes solid state electronics to modulate the frequency of electrical power. Generally, inverter drive 22 converts the inputted electrical power from AC to DC, and then converts the electrical power from DC back to AC at a desired frequency. For example, inverter drive 22 may directly rectify electrical power with a full-wave rectifier bridge. Inverter driver 22 may then chop the electrical power using insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBT's) or thyristors to achieve the desired frequency. Other suitable electronic components may be used to modulate the frequency of electrical power from power supply 18.


Electric motor speed of compressor 10 is controlled by the frequency of electrical power received from inverter driver 22. For example, when compressor 10 is driven at sixty hertz electric power, compressor 10 may operate at full capacity operation. When compressor 10 is driven at thirty hertz electric power, compressor 10 may operate at half capacity operation.


Piping from evaporator 16 to compressor 10 may be routed through enclosure 20 to cool the electronic components of inverter drive 22 within enclosure 20. Enclosure 20 may include a cold plate 15. Suction gas refrigerant may cool the cold plate prior to entering compressor 10 and thereby cool the electrical components of inverter drive 22. In this way, cold plate 15 may function as a heat exchanger between suction gas and inverter drive 22 such that heat from inverter drive 22 is transferred to suction gas prior to the suction gas entering compressor 10.


As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, electric power from inverter drive 22 housed within enclosure 20 may be delivered to compressor 10 via a terminal box 24 attached to compressor 10.


A compressor floodback or overheat condition is undesirable and may cause damage to compressor 10 or other refrigeration system components. Suction super heat (SSH) and/or discharge super heat (DSH) may be correlated to a flood back or overheating condition of compressor 10 and may be monitored to detect and/or predict a flood back or overheating condition of compressor 10. DSH is the difference between the temperature of refrigerant vapor leaving the compressor, referred to as discharge line temperature (DLT) and the saturated condenser temperature (Tcond). Suction super heat (SSH) is the difference between the temperature of refrigerant vapor entering the compressor, referred to as suction line temperature (SLT) and saturated evaporator temperature (Tevap).


SSH and DSH may be correlated as shown in FIG. 5. The correlation between DSH and SSH may be particularly accurate for scroll type compressors, with outside ambient temperature being only a secondary effect. As shown in FIG. 5, correlations between DSH and SSH are shown for outdoor temperatures (ODT) of one-hundred fifteen degrees Fahrenheit, ninety-five degrees Fahrenheit, seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit, and fifty-five degrees Fahrenheit. The correlation shown in FIG. 5 is an example only and specific correlations for specific compressors may vary by compressor type, model, capacity, etc.


A flood back condition may occur when SSH is approaching zero degrees or when DSH is approaching twenty to forty degrees Fahrenheit. For this reason, DSH may be used to detect the onset of a flood back condition and its severity. When SSH is at zero degrees, SSH may not indicate the severity of the flood back condition. As the floodback condition becomes more severe, SSH remains at around zero degrees. When SSH is at zero degrees, however, DSH may be between twenty and forty degrees Fahrenheit and may more accurately indicate the severity of a flood back condition. When DSH is in the range of thirty degrees Fahrenheit to eighty degrees Fahrenheit, compressor 10 may operate within a normal range. When DSH is below thirty degrees Fahrenheit, the onset of a flood back condition may occur. When DSH is below ten degrees Fahrenheit, a severe flood back condition may occur.


With respect to overheating, when DSH is greater than eighty degrees Fahrenheit, the onset of an overheating condition may occur. When DSH is greater than one-hundred degrees Fahrenheit, a severe overheating condition may be present.


In FIG. 5, typical SSH temperatures for exemplar refrigerant charge levels are shown. For example, as the percentage of refrigerant charge in refrigeration system 5 decreases, SSH typically increases.


To determine DSH, DLT may be subtracted from Tcond. DLT may be sensed by a DLT sensor 28 that senses a temperature of refrigerant exiting compressor 10. As shown in FIG. 1, DLT sensor 28 may be external to compressor 10 and may be mounted proximate a discharge outlet of compressor 10. Alternatively, an internal DLT sensor 30 may be used as shown in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, a cross-section of compressor 10 is shown. Internal DLT sensor 30 may be embedded in an upper fixed scroll of a scroll compressor and may sense a temperature of discharge refrigerant exiting the intermeshing scrolls.


In the alternative, a combination temperature/pressure sensor may be used. In such case, Tcond may be measured based on the pressure of refrigerant exiting compressor 10 as measured by the combination sensor. Moreover, in such case, DSH may be calculated based on DLT, as measured by the temperature portion of the sensor, and on Tcond, as measured by the pressure portion of the combination sensor.


Tcond may be derived from other system parameters. Specifically, Tcond may be derived from compressor current and voltage (i.e., compressor power), compressor speed, and compressor map data associated with compressor 10. A method for deriving Tcond based on current, voltage and compressor map data for a fixed speed compressor is described in the commonly assigned application for Compressor Diagnostic and Protection System, U.S. application Ser. No. 11/059,646, Publication No. U.S. 2005/0235660. Compressor map data for a fixed speed compressor correlating compressor current and voltage to Tcond may be compressor specific and based on test data for a specific compressor type, model and capacity.


In the case of a variable speed compressor, Tcond may also be a function of compressor speed, in addition to compressor power.


A graphical correlation between compressor power in watts and compressor speed is shown in FIG. 6. As shown, Tcond is a function of compressor power and compressor speed. In this way, a three-dimensional compressor map with data correlating compressor power, compressor speed, and Tcond may be derived for a specific compressor based on test data. Compressor current may be used instead of compressor power. Compressor power, however, may be preferred over compressor current to reduce the impact of any line voltage variation. The compressor map may be stored in a computer readable medium accessible to control module 25.


In this way, control module 25 may calculate Tcond based on compressor power data and compressor speed data. Control module 25 may calculate, monitor, or detect compressor power data during the calculations performed to convert electrical power from power supply 18 to electrical power at a desired frequency. In this way, compressor power and current data may be readily available to control module 25. In addition, control module 25 may calculate, monitor, or detect compressor speed based on the frequency of electrical power delivered to the electric motor of compressor 10. In this way, compressor speed data may also be readily available to control module 25. Based on compressor power and compressor speed, control module 25 may derive Tcond.


After measuring or calculating Tcond, control module 25 may calculate DSH as the difference between Tcond and DLT, with DLT data being receiving from external DLT sensor 28 or internal DLT sensor 30.


Control module 25 may monitor DSH to detect a flood back or overheat condition, based on the correlation between DSH and flood back and overheat conditions described above. Upon detection of a flood back or overheat condition, control module 25 may adjust compressor speed or adjust expansion valve 14 accordingly. Control module 25 may communicate with or control expansion valve 14. Alternatively, control module 25 may communicate with a system controller for refrigeration system 5 and may notify system controller of the flood back or overheat condition. System controller may then adjust expansion valve or compressor speed accordingly.


DSH may be monitored to detect or predict a sudden flood back or overheat condition. A sudden reduction in DLT or DSH without significant accompanying change in Tcond may be indicative of a sudden flood back or overheat condition. For example, if DLT or DSH decreases by a predetermined temperature amount (e.g., fifty degrees Fahrenheit) within a predetermined time period (e.g., fifty seconds), a sudden flood back condition may exist. Such a condition may be caused by expansion valve 14 being stuck open. Likewise, a sudden increase in DLT or DSH with similar magnitude and without significant accompanying change in Tcond may be indicative of a sudden overheat condition due to expansion valve 14 being stuck closed. For example, if DLT or DSH increases by a predetermined temperature amount (e.g., fifty degrees Fahrenheit) within a predetermined time period (e.g., fifty seconds), a sudden overheat condition may exist.


Control module 25 may monitor DSH and DLT to determine whether compressor 10 is operating within a predetermined operating envelope. As shown in FIG. 7, a compressor operating envelope may provide maximum flood back and maximum and/or minimum DSH/DLT limits. In addition, a maximum scroll temperature limit (Tscroll) may be provided, in the case of a scroll compressor. In addition, a maximum motor temperature (Tmotor) may be provided. As shown in FIG. 7, compressor speed and expansion valve 14 may be adjusted based on DSH and/or DLT to insure compressor operation within the compressor operating envelope. In this way, DSH and/or DLT may move back into an acceptable range as indicated by FIG. 7. Compressor speed adjustment may take priority over expansion valve adjustment. In some cases, such as a defrost state, it may be difficult for expansion valve 14 to respond quickly and compressor speed adjustment may be more appropriate.


In the event of a flood back condition, control module 25 may limit a compressor speed range. For example, when DSH is below thirty degrees Fahrenheit, compressor operation may be limited to the compressor's cooling capacity rating speed. For example, the cooling capacity rating speed may be 4500 RPM. When DSH is between thirty degrees Fahrenheit and sixty degrees Fahrenheit, compressor operating speed range may be expanded linearly to the full operating speed range. For example, compressor operating speed range may be between 1800 and 7000 RPM.


The function correlating Tcond with compressor speed and power, may assume a predetermined or constant saturated Tevap. As shown in FIG. 8, the correlation between compressor power and Tcond may be insensitive to variations of Tevap.


For additional accuracy, Tevap may be derived as a function of Tcond and DLT, as described in commonly assigned U.S. application Ser. No. 11/059,646, U.S. Publication No. 2005/0235660. For variable speed compressors, the correlation may also reflect compressor speed. In this way, Tevap may be derived as a function of Tcond, DLT and compressor speed.


As shown in FIG. 9, Tevap is shown correlated with DLT, for various Tcond levels. For this reason, compressor map data for different speeds may be used.


Tcond and Tevap may be calculated based on a single derivation.


In addition, iterative calculations may be made based on the following equations:

Tcond=f(compressor power,compressor speed,Tevap)  Equation 1:
Tevap=f(Tcond,DLT,compressor speed)  Equation 2:


Multiple iterations of these equations may be performed to achieve convergence. For example, three iterations may provide optimal convergence. As discussed above, more or less iteration, or no iterations, may be used.


Tevap and Tcond may also be determined by using compressor map data, for different speeds, based on DLT and compressor power, based on the following equations:

Tevap=f(compressor power,compressor speed,DLT)  Equation 3:
Tcond=f(compressor power,compressor speed,DLT)  Equation 4:


Once Tevap and Tcond are known, additional compressor performance parameters may be derived. For example, compressor capacity and compressor efficiency may be derived based on additional compressor performance map data for a specific compressor model and capacity. Such additional compressor map data may be derived from test data. For example, compressor mass flow or capacity, may be derived according to the following equation:

Tevap=f(compressor speed,Tcond,mass flow)  Equation 5:


Mass flow may be derived according to the following equation:

Mass Flow=m0+m1*Tevap+m2*Tcond+m3*RPM+m4*Tevap*Tcond+m5*Tevap*RPM+m6*Tcond*RPM+m7*Tevap^2+m8*Tcond^2+m9*RPM^2+m10*Tevap*Tcond*RPM+m11*Tevap^2*Tcond+m12*Tevap^2*RPM+m13*Tevap^3+m14*Tevap*Tcond^2+m15*Tcond^2*RPM+m16*Tcond^3+m17*Tevap*RPM^2+m18*Tcond*RPM^2+m19*RPM^3  Equation 6:


where m0-m19 are compressor model and size specific, as published by compressor manufacturers.


Compressor map data may be stored within a computer readable medium within control module 25 or accessible to control module 25.


As shown in FIG. 10, a flow chart for derived parameters is shown. In step 100, Tcond may be derived from compressor power and compressor speed. In step 101, Tevap may be derived from DLT and Tcond. In step 102, capacity/mass flow and a compressor energy efficiency ratio may be derived from Tevap and Tcond. In addition, by monitoring run time in step 103, additional parameters may be derived. Specifically, in step 104, load and Kwh/Day may be derived from run time, capacity/mass flow, EER, and compressor power.


By monitoring the above operating parameters, control module 25 may insure that compressor 10 is operating within acceptable operating envelope limits that are preset by a particular compressor designer or manufacturer and may detect and predict certain undesirable operating conditions, such as compressor floodback and overheat conditions. Further, control module 25 may derive other useful data related to compressor efficiency, power consumption, etc.


Where compressor 10 is driven by a suction cooled inverter drive 22, Tevap may be alternatively calculated. Because Tevap may be calculated from mass flow, Tcond, and compressor speed as discussed above, control module 25 may derive mass flow from a difference in temperature between suction gas entering cold plate 15 (Ts) and a temperature of a heat sink (Ti) located on or near inverter drive 22. Control module 25 may calculate delta T according to the following equation:

delta T=Ts−Ti  Equation 7:


Ts and Ti may be measured by two temperature sensors 33 and 34 shown in FIG. 11. Temperature sensor 33 measures the temperature of the heat sink (Ti) and may be incorporated as part of inverter drive 22. Alternatively, temperature sensor 33 may measure a temperature of suction gas exiting cold plate 15 and may be located on or near the piping between cold plate 15 and compressor 10. Temperature sensor 34 measures the temperature of suction gas entering cold plate 15.


Control module 25 may determine mass flow based on delta T and by determining the applied heat of inverter drive 22. As shown in FIG. 12, mass flow may be derived based on lost heat of inverter drive 22 and delta T. As shown in FIG. 13, the relationship between mass flow, delta T and applied inverter heat may be mapped based on test data.


Inverter heat may be derived based on inverter speed (i.e., compressor speed) and inverter efficiency as shown in FIG. 14.


With reference again to FIG. 12, inputs include compressor speed (RPM) 120, compressor current 122, compressor voltage 124, compressor power factor 126, Ti 128 and Ts 130. From compressor current 122, compressor voltage 124, and power factor 126, compressor power 132 is derived. From temperatures Ti 128 and Ts 130, delta T 134 is derived. From RPM 120 and power, Tcond 136 is derived. Also from RPM 120 and power 132, inverter heat loss 138 is derived. From inverter heat loss, and delta T 134, mass flow 140 is derived. From RPM 120, Tcond 136, and mass flow 140, Tevap 142 is derived. From Tevap 142 and Ts 130, SSH 144 is derived. From SSH 144 and ambient temperature as sensed by ambient temperature sensor 29, DSH 146 is derived. Once DSH 146 is derived, all of the benefits of the algorithms described above may be gained, including protection of compressor 10 from flood back and overheat conditions.


As shown by dotted line 141, Tcond and Tevap may be iteratively calculated to more accurately derive Tcond and Tevap. For example, optimal convergence may be achieved with three iterations. More or less iterations may also be used.


As shown in FIG. 15, control module 25 takes as measured inputs compressor speed RPM, inverter drive current, voltage, and power, and heat sink temperatures Ti and Ts. Control module also takes as input ambient temperature as indicated by ambient temperature sensor 29. As discussed above, control module 25 derives from these measured inputs the outputs of Tcond, Tevap, mass flow, SSH, DSH, and DLT.


As shown in FIG. 16, control module 25 may monitor SLT with SLT sensor 35, which may include a combination pressure and temperature sensor may be used. In such case, Tevap may be measured based on the suction pressure as measured by the pressure portion of the combination sensor. Further, SSH may be calculated based on SLT, as measured by the temperature portion of the combination sensor, and Tevap. SLT sensor 34, 35 may be located at an inlet to compressor 10 and may sense a temperature or pressure of refrigerant entering compressor 10 subsequent to inverter 22, enclosure 20, or cold plate 15. Alternatively SLT sensor may be located at an inlet to enclosure 20, inverter 22, or cold plate 15 and may sense a temperature or pressure of refrigerant entering the enclosure 20, inverter 22, or cold plate 15.


In addition, similar to the calculation of DSH based on DLT described above, control module 25 may also calculate SSH. For example, compressor power, compressor speed, and compressor map data may be used to derive Tcond and Tevap may be derived from Tcond. Once Tevap is derived, SSH may be derived from SLT and Tevap and used as described above for monitoring various compressor operating parameters and protecting against flood back and overheat conditions.

Claims
  • 1. A system comprising: a compressor connected to a condenser;a discharge line temperature sensor that outputs a discharge line temperature signal corresponding to a discharge line temperature of refrigerant leaving the compressor;a control module connected to the discharge line temperature sensor, said control module receiving compressor power data, determining a saturated condenser temperature as a function of the compressor power data and a speed of the compressor, calculating a discharge superheat temperature based on the saturated condenser temperature and the discharge line temperature, monitoring a flood back condition of the compressor by comparing the discharge superheat temperature with a predetermined threshold, and, when the discharge superheat temperature is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold, increasing the speed of the compressor or decreasing an opening of an expansion valve associated with the compressor.
  • 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the predetermined threshold is thirty degrees Fahrenheit.
  • 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the control module increases the speed of the compressor when the discharge superheat temperature is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold.
  • 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the control module decreases the opening of the expansion valve when the discharge superheat temperature is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold.
  • 5. The system of claim 1 wherein the control module monitors a sudden flood back condition by determining whether the discharge superheat temperature decreases by a predetermined amount within a predetermined time period.
  • 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the control module receives a discharge pressure signal corresponding to a discharge pressure of refrigerant leaving the compressor and determines the saturated condenser temperature based on the discharge pressure.
  • 7. The system of claim 1 further comprising an evaporator connected to the compressor and the condenser, wherein the control module receives compressor power data, determines a saturated evaporator temperature as a function of the saturated condenser temperature, the discharge line temperature, and the speed of the compressor, and determines the saturated condenser temperature as a function of the compressor power data, the speed of the compressor, and the saturated evaporator temperature.
  • 8. The system of claim 7 wherein the control module performs multiple iterations of determining the saturated condenser temperature and the saturated evaporator temperature to achieve convergence.
  • 9. The system of claim 1 wherein the control module receives compressor power data and determines the saturated condenser temperature as a function of the compressor power data, the speed of the compressor, and the discharge line temperature.
  • 10. A method comprising: receiving, with a control module, compressor power data of a compressor;determining, with the control module, a saturated condenser temperature of a condenser connected to the compressor as a function of the compressor power data and a speed of the compressor;receiving, with the control module, a discharge line temperature signal that corresponds to a discharge line temperature of refrigerant leaving the compressor;calculating, with the control module, a discharge superheat temperature based on the saturated condenser temperature and the discharge line temperature;monitoring, with the control module, a flood back condition of the compressor by comparing the discharge superheat temperature with a predetermined threshold; andincreasing the speed of the compressor or decreasing an opening of an expansion valve, with the control module, when the discharge superheat temperature is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold.
  • 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the predetermined threshold is thirty degrees Fahrenheit.
  • 12. The method of claim 10 wherein the control module increases the speed of the compressor when the discharge superheat temperature is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold.
  • 13. The method of claim 10 wherein the control module decreases the opening of the expansion valve when the discharge superheat temperature is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold.
  • 14. The method of claim 10 further comprising monitoring, with the control module, a sudden flood back condition by determining whether the discharge superheat temperature decreases by a predetermined amount within a predetermined time period.
  • 15. The method of claim 10 further comprising receiving, with the control module, a discharge pressure signal corresponding to a discharge pressure of refrigerant leaving the compressor and determining the saturated condenser temperature based on the discharge pressure.
  • 16. The method of claim 10 further comprising receiving, with the control module, compressor power data, determining a saturated evaporator temperature of an evaporator connected to the compressor and the condenser as a function of the saturated condenser temperature, the discharge line temperature, and the speed of the compressor, and determining the saturated condenser temperature as a function of the compressor power data, the speed of the compressor, and the saturated evaporator temperature.
  • 17. The method of claim 16 further comprising performing, with the control module, multiple iterations of determining the saturated condenser temperature and the saturated evaporator temperature to achieve convergence.
  • 18. The method of claim 10 further comprising receiving, with the control module, compressor power data and determining the saturated condenser temperature as a function of the compressor power data, the speed of the compressor, and the discharge line temperature.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/246,959 filed on Oct. 7, 2008. This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/978,258, filed on Oct. 8, 2007. The entire disclosures of each of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.

US Referenced Citations (283)
Number Name Date Kind
2883255 Anderson Apr 1959 A
2981076 Gaugler Apr 1961 A
3082609 Ryan et al. Mar 1963 A
3242321 Chope Mar 1966 A
3265948 Sones et al. Aug 1966 A
3600657 Pfaff et al. Aug 1971 A
4130997 Hara et al. Dec 1978 A
4280910 Baumann Jul 1981 A
4370564 Matsushita Jan 1983 A
4448038 Barbier May 1984 A
4460861 Rosa Jul 1984 A
4461153 Lindner et al. Jul 1984 A
4507936 Yoshino Apr 1985 A
4527399 Lord Jul 1985 A
4653280 Hansen et al. Mar 1987 A
4706469 Oguni et al. Nov 1987 A
4750338 Hingst Jun 1988 A
4940929 Williams Jul 1990 A
4974427 Diab Dec 1990 A
5056712 Enck Oct 1991 A
5058389 Yasuda et al. Oct 1991 A
5182918 Manz et al. Feb 1993 A
5203178 Shyu Apr 1993 A
5255529 Powell et al. Oct 1993 A
5258901 Fraidlin Nov 1993 A
5269146 Kerner Dec 1993 A
5291115 Ehsani Mar 1994 A
5315214 Lesea May 1994 A
5347467 Staroselsky et al. Sep 1994 A
5359276 Mammano Oct 1994 A
5359281 Barrow et al. Oct 1994 A
5410221 Mattas et al. Apr 1995 A
5410235 Ehsani Apr 1995 A
5425246 Bessler Jun 1995 A
5426952 Bessler Jun 1995 A
5428965 Grunwald et al. Jul 1995 A
5440218 Oldenkamp Aug 1995 A
5502970 Rajendran Apr 1996 A
5506930 Umida Apr 1996 A
5519300 Leon et al. May 1996 A
5524449 Ueno et al. Jun 1996 A
5603222 Dube Feb 1997 A
5603227 Holden et al. Feb 1997 A
5646499 Doyama et al. Jul 1997 A
5663627 Ogawa Sep 1997 A
5712551 Lee Jan 1998 A
5712802 Kumar et al. Jan 1998 A
5742103 Ashok Apr 1998 A
5786992 Vinciarelli et al. Jul 1998 A
5903138 Hwang et al. May 1999 A
5960207 Brown Sep 1999 A
5963442 Yoshida et al. Oct 1999 A
6005365 Kaneko et al. Dec 1999 A
6028406 Birk Feb 2000 A
6035653 Itoh et al. Mar 2000 A
6041609 Hornsleth et al. Mar 2000 A
6065298 Fujimoto May 2000 A
6073457 Kampf et al. Jun 2000 A
6091215 Lovett et al. Jul 2000 A
6091233 Hwang et al. Jul 2000 A
6102665 Centers et al. Aug 2000 A
6116040 Stark Sep 2000 A
6123146 Dias Sep 2000 A
6220045 Kim Apr 2001 B1
6222746 Kim Apr 2001 B1
6226998 Reason et al. May 2001 B1
6236183 Schroeder May 2001 B1
6236193 Paul May 2001 B1
6259614 Ribarich et al. Jul 2001 B1
6281656 Masaki et al. Aug 2001 B1
6281658 Han et al. Aug 2001 B1
6316918 Underwood et al. Nov 2001 B1
6318100 Brendel et al. Nov 2001 B1
6318101 Pham et al. Nov 2001 B1
6321549 Reason et al. Nov 2001 B1
6326750 Marcinkiewicz Dec 2001 B1
6344725 Kaitani et al. Feb 2002 B2
6370888 Grabon Apr 2002 B1
6373200 Nerone et al. Apr 2002 B1
6396229 Sakamoto et al. May 2002 B1
6404154 Marcinkiewicz et al. Jun 2002 B2
6406265 Hahn et al. Jun 2002 B1
6414462 Chong Jul 2002 B2
6434960 Rousseau Aug 2002 B1
6438978 Bessler Aug 2002 B1
6446618 Hill Sep 2002 B1
6462492 Sakamoto et al. Oct 2002 B1
6471486 Centers et al. Oct 2002 B1
6523361 Higashiyama Feb 2003 B2
6532754 Haley et al. Mar 2003 B2
6539734 Weyna Apr 2003 B1
6578373 Barbier Jun 2003 B1
6583593 Iijima et al. Jun 2003 B2
6636011 Sadasivam et al. Oct 2003 B2
6670784 Odachi et al. Dec 2003 B2
6688124 Stark et al. Feb 2004 B1
6698217 Tanimoto et al. Mar 2004 B2
6708507 Sem et al. Mar 2004 B1
6711911 Grabon et al. Mar 2004 B1
6714425 Yamada et al. Mar 2004 B2
6735284 Cheong et al. May 2004 B2
6749404 Gennami et al. Jun 2004 B2
6753670 Kadah Jun 2004 B2
6756753 Marcinkiewicz Jun 2004 B1
6756757 Marcinkiewicz et al. Jun 2004 B2
6758050 Jayanth et al. Jul 2004 B2
6767851 Rokman et al. Jul 2004 B1
6788024 Kaneko et al. Sep 2004 B2
6815925 Chen et al. Nov 2004 B2
6825637 Kinpara et al. Nov 2004 B2
6828751 Sadasivam et al. Dec 2004 B2
6831439 Won et al. Dec 2004 B2
6876171 Lee Apr 2005 B2
6915646 Kadle et al. Jul 2005 B2
6955039 Nomura et al. Oct 2005 B2
6966759 Hahn et al. Nov 2005 B2
6967851 Yang et al. Nov 2005 B2
6982533 Seibel et al. Jan 2006 B2
6984948 Nakata et al. Jan 2006 B2
7005829 Schnetzka Feb 2006 B2
7049774 Chin et al. May 2006 B2
7095208 Kawaji et al. Aug 2006 B2
7138777 Won et al. Nov 2006 B2
7143594 Ludwig et al. Dec 2006 B2
7154237 Welchko et al. Dec 2006 B2
7176644 Ueda et al. Feb 2007 B2
7184902 El-Ibiary Feb 2007 B2
7208895 Marcinkiewicz et al. Apr 2007 B2
7234305 Nomura et al. Jun 2007 B2
7272018 Yamada et al. Sep 2007 B2
7307401 Gataric et al. Dec 2007 B2
7342379 Marcinkiewicz et al. Mar 2008 B2
7375485 Shahi et al. May 2008 B2
7458223 Pham Dec 2008 B2
7554271 Thiery et al. Jun 2009 B2
7580272 Taguchi et al. Aug 2009 B2
7595613 Thompson et al. Sep 2009 B2
7605570 Liu et al. Oct 2009 B2
7613018 Lim et al. Nov 2009 B2
7644591 Singh et al. Jan 2010 B2
7660139 Garabandic Feb 2010 B2
7667986 Artusi et al. Feb 2010 B2
7675759 Artusi et al. Mar 2010 B2
7683568 Pande et al. Mar 2010 B2
7688608 Oettinger et al. Mar 2010 B2
7706143 Lang et al. Apr 2010 B2
7723964 Taguchi May 2010 B2
7733678 Notohamiprodjo et al. Jun 2010 B1
7738228 Taylor Jun 2010 B2
7782033 Turchi et al. Aug 2010 B2
7821237 Melanson Oct 2010 B2
7895003 Caillat Feb 2011 B2
20010022939 Morita et al. Sep 2001 A1
20020047635 Ribarich et al. Apr 2002 A1
20020062656 Suitou et al. May 2002 A1
20020108384 Higashiyama Aug 2002 A1
20020117989 Kawabata et al. Aug 2002 A1
20020157408 Egawa et al. Oct 2002 A1
20020162339 Harrison et al. Nov 2002 A1
20030019221 Rossi et al. Jan 2003 A1
20030077179 Collins et al. Apr 2003 A1
20030085621 Potega May 2003 A1
20030094004 Pham et al. May 2003 A1
20030146290 Wang et al. Aug 2003 A1
20030182956 Kurita et al. Oct 2003 A1
20040011020 Nomura et al. Jan 2004 A1
20040061472 Won et al. Apr 2004 A1
20040070364 Cheong et al. Apr 2004 A1
20040085785 Taimela May 2004 A1
20040100221 Fu May 2004 A1
20040107716 Hirota Jun 2004 A1
20040119434 Dadd Jun 2004 A1
20040183491 Sidey Sep 2004 A1
20040221594 Suzuki et al. Nov 2004 A1
20040261431 Singh et al. Dec 2004 A1
20040261448 Nishijima et al. Dec 2004 A1
20050047179 Lesea Mar 2005 A1
20050204760 Kurita et al. Sep 2005 A1
20050235660 Pham Oct 2005 A1
20050235661 Pham Oct 2005 A1
20050235662 Pham Oct 2005 A1
20050235663 Pham Oct 2005 A1
20050235664 Pham Oct 2005 A1
20050247073 Hikawa et al. Nov 2005 A1
20050262849 Nomura et al. Dec 2005 A1
20050270814 Oh Dec 2005 A1
20060041335 Rossi et al. Feb 2006 A9
20060042276 Doll et al. Mar 2006 A1
20060048530 Jun et al. Mar 2006 A1
20060056210 Yamada et al. Mar 2006 A1
20060090490 Grimm et al. May 2006 A1
20060117773 Street et al. Jun 2006 A1
20060123809 Ha et al. Jun 2006 A1
20060130501 Singh et al. Jun 2006 A1
20060150651 Goto et al. Jul 2006 A1
20060158912 Wu et al. Jul 2006 A1
20060185373 Butler et al. Aug 2006 A1
20060187693 Tang Aug 2006 A1
20060198172 Wood Sep 2006 A1
20060198744 Lifson et al. Sep 2006 A1
20060247895 Jayanth Nov 2006 A1
20060255772 Chen Nov 2006 A1
20060261830 Taylor Nov 2006 A1
20060290302 Marcinkiewicz et al. Dec 2006 A1
20070012052 Butler et al. Jan 2007 A1
20070029987 Li Feb 2007 A1
20070040524 Sarlioglu et al. Feb 2007 A1
20070040534 Ghosh et al. Feb 2007 A1
20070089424 Venkataramani et al. Apr 2007 A1
20070118307 El-Ibiary May 2007 A1
20070118308 El-Ibiary May 2007 A1
20070132437 Scollo et al. Jun 2007 A1
20070144354 Muller et al. Jun 2007 A1
20070289322 Mathews Dec 2007 A1
20080089792 Bae et al. Apr 2008 A1
20080110610 Lifson et al. May 2008 A1
20080112823 Yoshida et al. May 2008 A1
20080143289 Marcinkiewicz et al. Jun 2008 A1
20080160840 Bax et al. Jul 2008 A1
20080209925 Pham Sep 2008 A1
20080216494 Pham et al. Sep 2008 A1
20080232065 Lang et al. Sep 2008 A1
20080245083 Tutunoglu et al. Oct 2008 A1
20080252269 Feldtkeller et al. Oct 2008 A1
20080265847 Woo et al. Oct 2008 A1
20080272745 Melanson Nov 2008 A1
20080272747 Melanson Nov 2008 A1
20080273356 Melanson Nov 2008 A1
20080284399 Oettinger et al. Nov 2008 A1
20080285318 Tan et al. Nov 2008 A1
20090015214 Chen Jan 2009 A1
20090015225 Turchi et al. Jan 2009 A1
20090016087 Shimizu Jan 2009 A1
20090033296 Hammerstrom Feb 2009 A1
20090039852 Fishelov et al. Feb 2009 A1
20090059625 Viitanen et al. Mar 2009 A1
20090071175 Pham Mar 2009 A1
20090090117 McSweeney Apr 2009 A1
20090090118 Pham et al. Apr 2009 A1
20090091961 Hsia et al. Apr 2009 A1
20090092501 Seibel Apr 2009 A1
20090093911 Caillat Apr 2009 A1
20090094997 McSweeney Apr 2009 A1
20090094998 McSweeney et al. Apr 2009 A1
20090095002 McSweeney et al. Apr 2009 A1
20090112368 Mann, III et al. Apr 2009 A1
20090140680 Park Jun 2009 A1
20090237963 Prasad et al. Sep 2009 A1
20090243561 Tan et al. Oct 2009 A1
20090255278 Taras et al. Oct 2009 A1
20090273330 Sisson Nov 2009 A1
20090290395 Osaka Nov 2009 A1
20090295347 Popescu et al. Dec 2009 A1
20090303765 Shimizu et al. Dec 2009 A1
20090316454 Colbeck et al. Dec 2009 A1
20100007317 Yang Jan 2010 A1
20100014326 Gu et al. Jan 2010 A1
20100014329 Zhang et al. Jan 2010 A1
20100052601 Pummer Mar 2010 A1
20100052641 Popescu et al. Mar 2010 A1
20100057263 Tutunoglu Mar 2010 A1
20100079125 Melanson et al. Apr 2010 A1
20100080026 Zhang Apr 2010 A1
20100109615 Hwang et al. May 2010 A1
20100109626 Chen May 2010 A1
20100118571 Saint-Pierre May 2010 A1
20100118576 Osaka May 2010 A1
20100128503 Liu et al. May 2010 A1
20100156377 Siegler Jun 2010 A1
20100165683 Sugawara Jul 2010 A1
20100179703 Singh et al. Jul 2010 A1
20100181930 Hopwood et al. Jul 2010 A1
20100187914 Rada et al. Jul 2010 A1
20100202169 Gaboury et al. Aug 2010 A1
20100226149 Masumoto Sep 2010 A1
20100246220 Irving et al. Sep 2010 A1
20100246226 Ku et al. Sep 2010 A1
20100253307 Chen et al. Oct 2010 A1
20100259230 Boothroyd Oct 2010 A1
20100270984 Park et al. Oct 2010 A1
20110138826 Lifson et al. Jun 2011 A1
20120279251 Kido et al. Nov 2012 A1
20140033746 McSweeney Feb 2014 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (90)
Number Date Country
1051080 May 1991 CN
1382912 Dec 2002 CN
1532474 Sep 2004 CN
1697954 Nov 2005 CN
1806478 Jul 2006 CN
1830131 Sep 2006 CN
1987258 Jun 2007 CN
19859340 Jul 2000 DE
10036378 May 2001 DE
10328213 Jan 2005 DE
0697086 Feb 1996 EP
0697087 Feb 1996 EP
1146299 Oct 2001 EP
1209362 May 2002 EP
1541869 Jun 2005 EP
1580498 Sep 2005 EP
55155134 Dec 1980 JP
61272483 Dec 1986 JP
S6277539 Apr 1987 JP
01167556 Jul 1989 JP
2004163 Jan 1990 JP
03129255 Jun 1991 JP
04344073 Nov 1992 JP
H05322224 Dec 1993 JP
06159738 Jun 1994 JP
07035393 Feb 1995 JP
H0926246 Jan 1997 JP
09196524 Jul 1997 JP
10009683 Jan 1998 JP
1998097331 Apr 1998 JP
10153353 Jun 1998 JP
10160271 Jun 1998 JP
H1123075 Jan 1999 JP
11159895 Jun 1999 JP
11287497 Oct 1999 JP
2000002496 Jan 2000 JP
2000205630 Jul 2000 JP
2000297970 Oct 2000 JP
2001026214 Jan 2001 JP
2001317470 Nov 2001 JP
2002013858 Jan 2002 JP
2002243246 Aug 2002 JP
2003074945 Mar 2003 JP
2003156244 May 2003 JP
2004069295 Mar 2004 JP
2004135491 Apr 2004 JP
2005-003710 Jan 2005 JP
2005132167 May 2005 JP
2005282972 Oct 2005 JP
3799732 Jul 2006 JP
2006177214 Jul 2006 JP
2006188954 Jul 2006 JP
2006188954 Jul 2006 JP
2006233820 Sep 2006 JP
2006233820 Sep 2006 JP
2007198230 Aug 2007 JP
2007198705 Aug 2007 JP
4150870 Sep 2008 JP
2009264699 Nov 2009 JP
2010266132 Nov 2010 JP
2011033340 Feb 2011 JP
10-1996-0024115 Jul 1996 KR
2001-0044273 Jun 2001 KR
2003-0011415 Feb 2003 KR
2005-0059842 Jun 2005 KR
20050085544 Aug 2005 KR
20070071407 Jul 2007 KR
WO-9523943 Sep 1995 WO
WO-9523944 Sep 1995 WO
WO-9702729 Jan 1997 WO
WO-9911987 Mar 1999 WO
WO-9913225 Mar 1999 WO
WO-02090840 Nov 2002 WO
WO-02090913 Nov 2002 WO
WO-02090842 Nov 2002 WO
WO-03038987 May 2003 WO
2004059822 Jul 2004 WO
2004083744 Sep 2004 WO
2005101939 Oct 2005 WO
WO-2006023075 Mar 2006 WO
WO-2009045495 Apr 2009 WO
WO-2009048466 Apr 2009 WO
WO-2009048575 Apr 2009 WO
WO-2009048576 Apr 2009 WO
WO-2009048577 Apr 2009 WO
WO-2009048578 Apr 2009 WO
WO-2009048579 Apr 2009 WO
2009048566 May 2009 WO
WO-2009151841 Dec 2009 WO
2011083756 Jul 2011 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (130)
Entry
European Search Report regarding Application No. 08837748.6-1608, dated Aug. 7, 2015.
Office Action regarding Chinese Patent Application No. 201410312784.1, dated Nov. 30, 2015. Translation provided by Unitalen Attorneys at Law.
Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 14/739,207, dated Dec. 31, 2015.
Office Action regarding India Patent Application No. 536/MUMNP/2010, dated Dec. 31, 2015.
Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 14/031,905, dated Dec. 13, 2013.
Decision of Rejection from the State Intellectual Property Office for People's Republic of China regarding Chinese Patent Application No. 200880110616.7, dated Nov. 27, 2013.
European Search Report regarding Application No. 08836902.0-1602 / 2198159 PCT/US2008011464, dated Apr. 4, 2014.
Notice of Allowance and Fees Due regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/983,615 dated Feb. 28, 2014.
Second Office Action from the State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China regarding Chinese Patent Application No. 201110371859.X, dated Jun. 23, 2014. Translation provided by Unitalen Attorneys at Law.
Final Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 14/031,905, dated Jul. 23, 2014.
Notice of Allowance and Fees Due regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/983,615, dated May 23, 2014.
Supplementary European Search Report regarding Application No. 08837095.2-1605 / 2195539 PCT/US2008011576, dated Nov. 25, 2014.
Extended European Search Report regarding Application No. 08837249.5-1605 / 2195540 PCT/US2008011589, dated Dec. 4, 2014.
Extended European Search Report regarding Application No. 08837777.5-1605 / 2198160 PCT/US2008011590, dated Dec. 3, 2014.
Extended European Search Report regarding Application No. 08837504.3-1605 / 2198218 PCT/US2008011597, dated Dec. 3, 2014.
Extended European Search Report regarding Application No. 08838154.6-1605 / 2195588 PCT/US2008011593, dated Dec. 4, 2014.
Extended European Search Report regarding Application No. 08836944.2-1605 / 2198165 PCT/US2008011596, dated Dec. 4, 2014.
Notice of Allowance and Fees Due regarding U.S. Appl. No. 14/031,905, dated Mar. 23, 2015.
Notice of Allowance and Fees Due regarding U.S. Appl. No. 14/031,905, dated Apr. 27, 2015.
U.S. Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 13/845,784, dated May 11, 2015.
First Office Action regarding Chinese Patent Application No. 201310484685.7, dated May 20, 2015. Translation provided by Unitalen Attorneys at Law.
Search Report regarding European Patent Application No. 08835849.4-1608 / 2198157 PCT/US2008011441, dated Jun. 9, 2015.
Search Report regarding European Patent Application No. 08836567.1-1608 / 2198158 PCT/US2008011442, dated Jun. 9, 2015.
Search Report regarding European Patent Application No. 08837748.6-1608 / 2201437 PCT/US2008011570, dated Aug. 7, 2015.
Advisory Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 14/739,207, dated Aug. 2, 2016.
Office Action regarding European Patent Application No. 08835849.4, dated Aug. 5, 2016.
Office Action regarding Chinese Patent Application No. 201410312784.1, dated Aug. 3, 2016. Translation provided by Unitalen Attorneys At Law.
“Electrical Power vs Mechanical Power,” by Suvo, http://www.brighthubengineering.com/machine-design/62310-electrical-power-vs-mechanical-power/; dated Jan. 25, 2010; 2 pages.
“Solving System of Equations by Substitution,” by http://cstl.syr.edu/fipse/algebra/unit5/subst.htm, dated Aug. 30, 2012; 4 pages.
Appeal Brief regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/247,001, dated Feb. 1, 2012.
Applicant-Initiated Interview Summary regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/246,927, dated Sep. 5, 2012.
Applicant-Initiated Interview Summary regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/247,020, dated Sep. 6, 2012.
European Search Report regarding Application No. 13161753.2-1602, dated Jul. 12, 2013.
Examiner's Answer to Appellant's Appeal Brief regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/247,001, dated Mar. 26, 2012.
Final Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/244,387, dated Aug. 17, 2011.
Final Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/246,825, dated Jun. 14, 2011.
Final Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/244,387, dated Aug. 13, 2012.
Final Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/244,416, dated Nov. 15, 2011.
Final Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/246,959, dated Oct. 12, 2011.
Final Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/246,959, dated Dec. 4, 2012.
Final Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/247,001, dated Sep. 1, 2011.
Final Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/247,020, dated Jun. 6, 2012.
Final Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/247,033, dated Jul. 5, 2012.
Final Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/247,033, dated Jul. 12, 2011.
Fourth Office Action from the State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China regarding Chinese Patent Application No. 200880110785.0 dated Oct. 21, 2013. Translation provided by Unitalen Attorneys at Law.
International Preliminary Report on Patentability for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011441, dated Apr. 7, 2010.
International Preliminary Report on Patentability for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011442, dated Apr. 7, 2010.
International Preliminary Report on Patentability for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011464, dated Apr. 7, 2010.
International Preliminary Report on Patentability for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011570, dated Apr. 13, 2010.
International Preliminary Report on Patentability for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011576, dated Apr. 13, 2010.
International Preliminary Report on Patentability for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011589, dated Apr. 13, 2010.
International Preliminary Report on Patentability for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011590, dated Apr. 13, 2010.
International Preliminary Report on Patentability for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011593, dated Apr. 13, 2010.
International Preliminary Report on Patentability for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011596, dated Apr. 13, 2010.
International Preliminary Report on Patentability for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011597, dated Apr. 13, 2010.
International Search Report for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011441, dated Jan. 30, 2009.
International Search Report for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011442 dated Feb. 3, 2009.
International Search Report for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011570, dated May 26, 2009.
International Search Report for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011589, dated Feb. 27, 2009.
International Search Report for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011590, dated Feb. 27, 2009.
International Search Report for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011593, dated Jun. 17, 2009.
International Search Report for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011597, dated Jun. 19, 2009.
International Search Report for International Applicatoin No. PCT/US2008/011596, dated Feb. 25, 2009.
International Search Report regarding International Application No. PCT/US2008/011464 dated Mar. 13, 2009.
International Search Report regarding International Application No. PCT/US2008/011576 dated Mar. 23, 2009.
Interview Summary regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/247,001, dated Mar. 25, 2011.
Interview Summary regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/247,033, dated Mar. 25, 2011.
Non-Final Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/244,387, dated Mar. 3, 2011.
Non-Final Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/246,825, dated Jan. 4, 2011.
Non-Final Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/246,893, dated Apr. 1, 2011.
Non-Final Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/246,927, dated Jun. 6, 2012.
Non-Final Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/246,959, dated Jun. 13, 2012.
Non-Final Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/247,001, dated Feb. 25, 2011.
Non-Final Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/247,033, dated Jan. 19, 2012.
Non-Final Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/247,033, dated Jan. 21, 2011.
Non-Final Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/247,033, dated Jan. 29, 2013.
Notice of Allowance and Fee(s) Due and Notice of Allowability regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/244,528, dated Sep. 7, 2010.
Notice of Allowance and Fee(s) Due regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/246,959, dated Feb. 14, 2013.
Notice of Allowance and Fees Due regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/246,927, dated Dec. 21, 2012.
Notice of Allowance and Fees Due regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/247,020, dated Jan. 4, 2013.
Notice of Appeal from the Examiner to the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences and Pre-Appeal Brief Request for Review regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/247,001, dated Dec. 1, 2011.
Notice of Final Rejection from the Korean Intellectual Property Office regarding Korean Application No. 10-2010-7009374, dated Nov. 18, 2011. Translation provided by Y.S. Chang & Associates.
Notice of Grounds for Rejection from the Korean Intellectual Property Office regarding Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-7009374, dated May 31, 2011. Translation provided by Y.S. Change & Associates.
Notice of Panel Decision from Pre-Appeal Brief Review regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/247,001, dated Dec. 27, 2011.
Notification of Final Rejection from Korean Intellectual Property Office regarding Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-7006707, dated Apr. 2, 2013. Translation provided by Y.S. Chang & Associates.
Notification of Final Rejection regarding Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-7007375, dated Apr. 3, 2012. Translation provided by Y.S. Chang & Associates.
Notification of First Office action from the State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China regarding Chinese Patent Application No. 200880110484.8, dated Dec. 23, 2011. Translation provided by Unitalen Attorneys at Law.
Notification of First Office Action from the State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China regarding Chinese Patent Application No. 200880110590.6, dated Feb. 29, 2012. Translation provided by Unitalen Attorneys at Law.
Notification of First Office Action from the State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China regarding Chinese Patent Application No. 200880110616.7, dated Jul. 4, 2012. Translation provided by Unitalen Attorneys at Law.
Notification of First Office Action from the State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China regarding Chinese Patent Application No. 200880110665.0, dated Apr. 8, 2011. Translation provided by Unitalean Attorneys At Law.
Notification of Grounds for Refusal regarding Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-7006707, dated Oct. 23, 2012. Translation provided by Y.S. Chang & Associates.
Notification of Grounds for Refusal regarding Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-7006707, dated May 22, 2012. Translation provided by Y.S. Chang & Associates.
Notification of Grounds for Refusal regarding Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-7007375, dated Dec. 7, 2011. Translation provided by Y.S. Chang & Associates.
Notification of Grounds for Refusal regarding Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-7007581, dated Nov. 14, 2011. Translation provided by Y.S. Chang & Associates.
Notification of Grounds for Refusal regarding Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-7007583 from the Korean Intellectual Property Office, dated Dec. 28, 2011. Translation provided by Y.S. Chang & Associates.
Notification of Grounds for Refusal regarding Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-7009659, dated Feb. 8, 2012.
Notification of the First Office Action from the State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China regarding Chinese Application No. 2008801110726, dated Jun. 5, 2012. Translation provided by Unitalen Attorneys at Law.
Notification of the First Office Action from the State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China regarding Chinese Patent Application No. 200880110785.0, dated May 14, 2012. Translation by Unitalen Attorneys at Law.
Notification of the First Office Action from the State Intellectural Property Office of People's Republic of China regarding Chinese Patent Application No. 200880111091.9 dated Nov. 23, 2011. Translation provided by Unitalen Attorneys at Law.
Notification of the First Office Action from the State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China regarding Chinese Application No. 200880110551.6, dated Feb. 11, 2011. Translation provided by Unitalen Attorneys At Law.
Notification of the Second Office Action from the State intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China regarding Chinese Patent Application No. 200880110665.0, dated Apr. 5, 2012. Translation provided by Unitalen Attorneys at Law.
Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/246,825, dated Oct. 12, 2011.
Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/246,959, dated Jun. 21, 2011.
Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/244,387, dated Mar. 1, 2012.
Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/244,416, dated Aug. 8, 2011.
Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/246,893, dated Dec. 7, 2011.
Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/246,893, dated Aug. 1, 2011.
Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/246,927, dated Sep. 6, 2011.
Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/247,020, dated Sep. 1, 2011.
Response to Rule 312 Communication regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/244,528, dated Dec. 7, 2010.
Second Office Action from the State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China regarding Chinese Patent Application No. 200880110484.8, dated Aug. 17, 2012. Translation provided by Unitalen Attorneys at Law.
Second Office Action from the State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China regarding Chinese Patent Application No. 200880110616.7, dated Apr. 1, 2013. Translation provided by Unitalen Attorneys at Law.
Second Office Action from the State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China regarding Chinese Patent Application No. 200880110785.0, dated Dec. 28, 2012. Translation provided by Unitalen Attorneys at Law.
Second Office Action from the State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China regarding Chinese Patent Application No. 2008801110726, dated Mar. 15, 2013. Translation provided by Unitalen Attorneys at Law.
Supplemental Notice of Allowability regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/244,528, dated Dec. 17, 2010.
Supplemental Notice of Allowability regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/244,528, dated Jan. 12, 2011.
Third Chinese Office Action from the State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China regarding Chinese Patent Application No. 200880111091.9, dated Feb. 18, 2013. Translation provided by Unitalen Attorneys at Law.
Third Office Action from the State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China regarding Chinese Patent Application No. 200880110616.7, dated Jul. 22, 2013. Translation provided by Unitalen Attorneys at Law.
Third Office Action from the State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China regarding Chinese Patent Application No. 2008801110726, dated Sep. 12, 2013. Translation provided by Unitalen Attorneys at Law.
Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011441, dated Jan. 30, 2009.
Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011442, dated Feb. 3, 2009.
Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011570, dated May 26, 2009.
Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011589, dated Feb. 27, 2009.
Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011590, dated Feb. 27, 2009.
Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011593, dated Jun. 17, 2009.
Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011596, dated Feb. 25, 2009.
Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011597, dated Jun. 19, 2009.
Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority regarding International Application No. PCT/US2008/011464 dated Mar. 13, 2009.
Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority regarding International Application No. PCT/US2008/011576 dated Mar. 20, 2009.
Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 14/739,207, dated May 20, 2016.
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20130240043 A1 Sep 2013 US
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60978258 Oct 2007 US
Continuations (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 12246959 Oct 2008 US
Child 13893493 US