Compressor control mechanism and method

摘要

The present invention is a mechanical refrigeration system and method of operation thereof including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve an evaporator, a hot gas bypass line and a hot gas valve. A control regulates the operation of the compressor and the hot gas valve and, upon determining that the compressor is to be shut off, first opens the hot gas valve for a predetermined time period to reduce any pressure differential between the high and low pressure sides of the compressor. This pressure reduction providing for reducing or eliminating any destructive compressor movement that would otherwise occur at shut down as the momentum of the moving parts of the compressor operate against a pressure differential. A similar method can be used to avoid such unwanted movement at start-up of the compressor.