The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 31, 2002
Filed:
Oct. 26, 2000
Lee W. Marriott, Ypsilanti, MI (US);
Tecumseh Products Company, Tecumseh, MI (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides a device and method for protecting the motor of a hermetic refrigeration compressor. The device comprises a motor, input power lines, and a motor protector connected to the input power lines to control the power to the motor. The motor protector includes a microprocessor, an input power measurement device, and a switch means for controlling the connection of the power lines to the motor. The input power measurement device includes a motor power input signal to the microprocessor. The microprocessor includes memory having instructions for storing an operating input power limit range based on the torque limits of the motor and for comparing the power input signal to the operating input power limit range of the motor. The microprocessor controls the switch means to open when the input power signal is outside of the operating input power limit range of the motor. The method includes the steps of providing a motor protector having a microprocessor with memory and an input power switch, storing an operating input power limit range based on the torque limits of the compressor motor in the memory of the microprocessor, measuring the input power to the compressor motor, providing the measured input power to the microprocessor, comparing the measured input power value to the operating input power limit range of the compressor motor, and opening the input power switch to remove power from the compressor motor when the measured input power value is outside of the operating input power limit range.