| Compressor driving torque estimating apparatus and compressor driving source control apparatus -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Compressor driving torque estimating apparatus and compressor driving source control apparatusUSPTO Application #: 20070237648Title: Compressor driving torque estimating apparatus and compressor driving source control apparatus Abstract: A compressor driving torque estimating apparatus estimates driving torque of a compressor. The apparatus includes a discharge-side detecting device, an inlet-side detecting device, first and second calculating devices, and an estimated driving torque determining device. The discharge-side detecting device detects discharge-side quantity about fluid discharged from the compressor. The inlet-side detecting device detects inlet-side quantity about fluid drawn into the compressor. The first calculating device calculates first estimated driving torque based on the discharge- and inlet-side quantity. The second calculating device calculates second estimated driving torque based on the discharge-side quantity. The estimated driving torque determining device chooses a smaller value between the first and second estimated driving torque as the driving torque. A compressor driving source control apparatus includes the apparatus. The control apparatus controls an output of a driving source, which provides driving force for the compressor, based on the driving torque. (end of abstract)
Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C - Bloomfield Hills, MI, US Inventor: Shigeki Ooya USPTO Applicaton #: 20070237648 - Class: 417019000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Pumps, Condition Responsive Control Of Pump Drive Motor, Single Motor Control Element Responsive To Means Sensing Diverse Conditions, Sensing Both Inlet And Outlet Conditions The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070237648. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is based on and incorporates herein by reference Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-107162 filed on Apr. 10, 2006. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a compressor driving torque estimating apparatus and a compressor driving source control apparatus. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] A variable displacement compressor, which obtains driving force from a vehicle engine, is conventionally employed as a refrigerant compressor of an air conditioner for a vehicle. In such a vehicle, generally by estimating driving torque of the compressor and controlling an engine output based on the estimated driving torque, an engine rotational speed does not change even if the driving torque of the compressor varies. [0006] In JP2001-180261A (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 6,336,335B2, US2001008131 A1), for example, the driving torque of the compressor is estimated based on a control signal that electrically controls a discharge volume changing mechanism of the variable displacement compressor externally, and output torque of the engine is controlled in such a manner that the estimated driving torque is added. [0007] However, in operating the discharge volume changing mechanism of the variable displacement compressor, a mechanical operational delay (response lag) is caused in response to a change in the control signal. Accordingly, as in JP2001-180261A, when the driving torque is estimated based on the control signal, a great difference between the estimated driving torque and actual driving torque arises in a transient state, in which discharge volume changes considerably (e.g., immediately after the variable displacement compressor starts compression). [0008] In JP2006-105030A (corresponding to US2006/0073047A1), the present applicant proposes a compressor driving torque estimation method, whereby smaller driving torque is chosen between first estimated driving torque and second estimated driving torque as the estimated driving torque. The first estimated driving torque is calculated such that it gradually increases according to a time that elapses after the compressor compresses refrigerant. The second estimated driving torque is calculated based on a compressor discharge refrigerant pressure. [0009] According to the estimation method in JP2006-105030A, the first estimated driving torque is calculated such that it is smaller than the second estimated driving torque in the transient state immediately after the compressor starts compression. Consequently, the first estimated driving torque that gradually increases according to the elapsed time is adopted as the estimated driving torque. As a result, the great difference between the estimated driving torque and the actual driving torque in the transient state is limited. [0010] The first estimated driving torque can be calculated based on the volume control signal in JP2006-105030A. However, according to the present inventor's further examination, even though the first estimated driving torque is calculated based on the volume control signal, the difference between the estimated driving torque and the actual driving torque cannot be completely prevented. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0011] The present invention addresses the above disadvantages. Thus, it is an objective of the present invention to limit a difference between estimated driving torque and actual compressor driving torque in a transient state immediately after a variable displacement compressor starts compression. [0012] To achieve the objective of the present invention, there is provided a compressor driving torque estimating apparatus for estimating driving torque of a variable displacement compressor, discharge volume of fluid of which is variable. The apparatus includes a discharge side detecting means, an inlet side detecting means, a first estimated driving torque calculating means, a second estimated driving torque calculating means, and an estimated driving torque determining means. The discharge side detecting means is for detecting discharge side physical quantity about fluid discharged from the variable displacement compressor. The inlet side detecting means is for detecting inlet side physical quantity about fluid drawn into the variable displacement compressor. The first estimated driving torque calculating means is for calculating first estimated driving torque of the variable displacement compressor based on the discharge side physical quantity and the inlet side physical quantity. The second estimated driving torque calculating means is for calculating second estimated driving torque of the variable displacement compressor based on the discharge side physical quantity. The estimated driving torque determining means is for choosing a smaller value between the first estimated driving torque and the second estimated driving torque as the driving torque. [0013] To achieve the objective of the present invention, there is also provided a compressor driving source control apparatus including the compressor driving torque estimating apparatus. The compressor driving source control apparatus controls an output of a driving source, which provides driving force for the variable displacement compressor, based on the driving torque estimated by the compressor driving torque estimating apparatus. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] The invention, together with additional objectives, features and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings in which: [0015] FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an idle-speed control apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [0016] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing control of the idle-speed control apparatus according to the first embodiment; [0017] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a chief part of the control of the idle-speed control apparatus according to the first embodiment; [0018] FIG. 4 is an illustrative graph showing a relationship between estimated driving torque and actual driving torque according to the first embodiment; [0019] FIG. 5 is a graph showing a relationship between a discharge refrigerant pressure and a control current; and [0020] FIG. 6 is an illustrative graph showing variation of the actual driving torque. Continue reading... Full patent description for Compressor driving torque estimating apparatus and compressor driving source control apparatus Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Compressor driving torque estimating apparatus and compressor driving source control apparatus patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Compressor driving torque estimating apparatus and compressor driving source control apparatus or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Vacuum pump with control unit Next Patent Application: Device and method for preventing foreign matters from adhering in dishwasher Industry Class: Pumps ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Compressor driving torque estimating apparatus and compressor driving source control apparatus patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 3.32333 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Computers: Graphics , I/O , Processors , Dyn. Storage , Static Storage , Printers |
||
