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Infrared thermal imaging analysis of a 1-kW variable capacity compressor frequency inverter

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Abstract

The present paper deals with the experimental characterization via infrared thermography of the temperature distribution in the electronic components of a frequency inverter of a 1-kW cooling capacity variable-speed refrigeration compressor. The transient thermal behavior was measured at the maximum compressor cooling capacity, and the tests were kept as closely as possible to real operating conditions by having the compressor connected to a hot-gas cycle calorimeter during the experiment. The printed circuit board was kept inside the hard plastic enclosure designed to protect the electronic components from airborne dust particles and moisture. Therefore, the experimental analysis involved the application of infrared-transparent material (plastic tape) on specific regions of the plastic enclosure to allow visual access to the electronic components. The infrared transmissivity of the plastic tape was experimentally determined as part of the analysis. The results reveal details about the thermal interaction between the components and confirm the applicability of infrared thermography in the analysis of heat transfer effects inside closed cavities. The insulated-gate bipolar transistors exhibited the largest and fastest variation among all components, while the capacitors presented the smallest temperature change. Agreement between infrared thermography and calibrated type-T thermocouples was within ±3 °C at steady state for some components.

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Abbreviations

f :

Compressor frequency (Hz)

Q :

Cooling capacity (W)

v :

Specific volume (m3/kg)

V d :

Swept volume (m3)

Δh e :

Specific refrigerating effect (kJ/kg)

ac:

Alternating current

dc:

Direct current

CFD:

Computational fluid dynamics

EMI:

Electromagnetic interference

IGBT:

Insulated-gate bipolar transistor

IR:

Infrared

MOSFET:

Metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor

NTC:

Negative temperature coefficient

PCB:

Printed circuit board

VCC:

Variable capacity compressor

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Mr. Gunter J. Maass (EECON) for technical support and advice. Financial support from EECON (Embraco Electronic Controls) and CNPq through grant No. 573581/2008-8 (National Institute of Science and Technology in Cooling and Thermophysics) is duly acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Polo, Research Laboratories for Emerging Technologies in Cooling and Thermophysics, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, SC, 88040900, Brazil

    Tiago de C. Macarios & Jader R. Barbosa Jr.

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  1. Tiago de C. Macarios
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  2. Jader R. Barbosa Jr.
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Correspondence to Jader R. Barbosa Jr..

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Technical Editor: Jose Parise.

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Macarios, T.d.C., Barbosa, J.R. Infrared thermal imaging analysis of a 1-kW variable capacity compressor frequency inverter. J Braz. Soc. Mech. Sci. Eng. 37, 275–284 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40430-014-0148-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40430-014-0148-9

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