Leakage sensor position confirmation method and storage medium

Abstract

The invention discloses a position confirmation method of a leakage sensor and a storage medium. The position confirmation method of the leakage sensor comprises the following steps: firstly, counting all possible leakage points and all predicted installation positions of the leakage sensor; the installation position factor priority of each predicted installation position relative to each possible leakage point is obtained; the concentration factor priority of the predicted installation position relative to each leakage point is obtained through operation of analogue simulation equipment; obtaining the priority of each predicted installation position based on the installation position factor priority and the concentration factor priority; data with the priority smaller than or equal to a threshold value is removed, and statistics is conducted on the priority of each possible leakage point at each predicted installation position; and determining a final installation position by judging that at least several predicted installation positions are required to contain position domains of all possible leakage points. Scientific confirmation of the position of the leakage sensor is realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of leakage sensors, and more particularly to a method for confirming the location of a leakage sensor. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous advancement of industrial technology and the constant improvement of people's living standards, production safety and equipment operation safety have become one of the core concerns of all sectors of society.

[0003] Taking the air conditioning industry as an example, air conditioning equipment, as a key device for regulating indoor temperature and humidity, is of paramount importance for its safe and stable operation. Air conditioning systems primarily rely on the phase change process of refrigerant (commonly known as cooling medium) in a closed-loop circuit (liquid endothermic vaporization, gaseous compression exothermic liquefaction) to achieve cooling / heating functions. However, traditional refrigerants (such as CFCs and HCFCs), if leaked, have a destructive effect on the ozone layer (high ODP value), while currently mainstream alternative refrigerants (such as HFCs and HFOs), although having low or zero ODP values, generally have high global warming potential (GWP) if leaked. Once refrigerant leaks due to pipe corrosion, loose joints, vibration fatigue, manufacturing defects, or accidental damage, it will not only exacerbate the greenhouse effect and damage the ecological environment, but if it accumulates to a certain concentration in a confined space, it may also pose a potential threat to human health or equipment safety. More importantly, refrigerant is the "blood" of the air conditioning system for achieving thermal circulation. Refrigerant leakage directly reduces the total amount of circulating refrigerant in the system, triggering a series of chain reactions. For example, insufficient refrigerant prevents the evaporator from absorbing enough heat and the condenser from releasing enough heat, requiring the unit to operate for longer periods or under overload to reach the set temperature, resulting in a sharp increase in energy consumption. Refrigerant leakage also poses a risk of system malfunction and component damage. Therefore, timely, comprehensive, and effective detection of refrigerant leaks is of paramount importance for ensuring environmental safety, personnel health, reliable equipment operation, and reducing operating costs.

[0004] However, existing sensors all have the following problems.

[0005] First, the installation location is limited, and the detection range cannot be guaranteed. Traditional refrigerant sensors in indoor units are often installed near densely packed pipes, such as the liquid inlet pipe or gas manifold. The installation location is determined based on the designer's experience, resulting in a limited range that cannot cover all potential refrigerant leak locations within the entire unit. If a leak occurs at a point far from the refrigerant sensor, the detection range is not guaranteed, posing a risk of delayed detection or even serious damage.

[0006] Secondly, the number of refrigerant sensors to be installed cannot be accurately determined, which may lead to increased costs or insufficient detection range. For indoor units with large detection spaces, it is impossible to determine the number of refrigerant sensors required based on experience. Traditional methods for determining the number, such as installing them at certain intervals, can easily result in too many (or too few) refrigerant sensors being installed. Installing too many refrigerant sensors leads to excessive energy consumption and costs, which is detrimental to product development; installing too few sensors can result in insufficient detection range and the risk of not being able to detect in a timely manner.

[0007] Although the above specific scenarios use air conditioners as an example, other devices also face the same two problems when detecting potentially leaked substances: limited installation locations, unreliable detection range, and / or inaccurate determination of the number of devices to install, which can easily lead to increased costs or insufficient detection range.

[0008] Therefore, how to provide a method for confirming the location of a leaking sensor that can ensure the detection range without causing meaningless sensor redundancy and unnecessary cost increases is a technical problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0009] In order to solve the technical problems of the lack of a scientific method for confirming the location of leakage sensors in the prior art, which leads to the inability to guarantee comprehensive detection or sensor redundancy, this invention proposes a method for confirming the location of leakage sensors and a storage medium.

[0010] The method for confirming the location of a leakage sensor according to the present invention includes:

[0011] After confirming the installation structure and location of the equipment, all possible leakage points and all expected installation locations of leakage sensors are identified.

[0012] Based on the positional relationship between each expected installation location and each possible leak point, the priority of the installation location factor relative to each possible leak point is obtained.

[0013] The concentration of leaked substances at the expected installation location is obtained by simulating the operation of the equipment at each possible leak point;

[0014] Based on the concentration of the leaked substance, the concentration factor priority of the expected installation location relative to each leak point is obtained;

[0015] The priority of each expected installation location is obtained based on the priority of installation location factors and the priority of concentration factors;

[0016] Data with a priority level less than or equal to the threshold is removed, and the priority of each expected installation location for each possible leak point is statistically analyzed.

[0017] Use the set of data on the priority of a single expected installation location for each possible leak point as the initial data set and the current data set;

[0018] The priority of all anticipated installation locations is analyzed, and one or more anticipated installation locations that have the fewest anticipated installation locations and can include all possible leakage points are selected as the final installation locations.

[0019] Furthermore, the process of analyzing the priority of all expected installation locations and selecting one or more expected installation locations that have the fewest expected installation locations and can contain all possible leakage points as the final installation locations can be performed using the following loop.

[0020] Check sequentially whether each current data set contains the location fields of all possible leak points;

[0021] If included, the expected installation location corresponding to one of the data sets containing the location field will be taken as the final installation location;

[0022] If not included, then based on the current data set, each initial data set not included in the current data set is merged to form multiple new, non-repeating current data sets, and the process returns to the previous step of determining whether the location field is included, until the final installation location is found.

[0023] Furthermore, when multiple current datasets contain location domains, the expected installation location corresponding to the current dataset with the largest average priority value of each possible leak point is taken as the final installation location.

[0024] Furthermore, if the new, non-repeating current data set does not contain a location field, and there is no initial data set not included in the current data set, then a corresponding prompt will be given.

[0025] Furthermore, the priority of the installation location factor is obtained according to the following steps:

[0026] Based on the characteristics of the leaked substance, the leaked substance is divided into two leakage directions: upward leakage and downward leakage.

[0027] The center of a circle is the point on the corresponding side of the equipment housing that is perpendicularly projected towards the direction of leakage for each possible leak point.

[0028] The plane perpendicular to the leakage direction at each potential leak point will be used as the interface.

[0029] For the expected installation location on the side above the corresponding interface, the installation factor priority relative to the corresponding possible leakage point is a value less than or equal to the threshold.

[0030] For the expected installation location on the side below the corresponding interface, relative to the corresponding possible leak point, the installation factor priority of the expected installation location relative to the corresponding possible leak point is obtained based on the distance of the expected installation location from the center of the circle.

[0031] Furthermore, the installation priority of the expected installation location relative to the corresponding potential leak point is obtained based on the distance of the expected installation location from the center of the circle, specifically according to the formula...

[0032]

[0033] The calculations show that k is the correction factor, r is the distance from the expected installation position to the center of the corresponding circle, and R is the maximum distance from the center of the corresponding circle to the boundary of the corresponding side of the shell.

[0034] Furthermore, if the concentration at the corresponding leak point that diffuses to the corresponding expected installation location is less than the lowest concentration detectable by the leak sensor at the corresponding expected installation location, then the concentration factor priority of the corresponding expected installation location relative to the corresponding leak point is less than or equal to the threshold; otherwise, the concentration factor priority of the expected installation location relative to each leak point is obtained based on the concentration value at the corresponding leak point that diffuses to the corresponding expected installation location.

[0035] Furthermore, the formula used to prioritize the concentration factor of the expected installation location relative to each leak point is as follows:

[0036]

[0037] Calculated; L represents the concentration of the leaking substance at the corresponding expected installation location for the possible leak point. min To correspond to the lowest concentration that the leak sensor can detect at the expected installation location, L max k is a correction factor, where k > 1, corresponding to the highest concentration at all expected installation locations at potential leak points.

[0038] Furthermore, the method for confirming the location of the leakage sensor of the present invention further includes: obtaining the priority of interference factors of each expected installation location relative to the airflow direction in the same space according to the airflow direction of each expected installation location, and calculating the priority of each expected installation location based on the priority of installation location factors, the priority of concentration factors, and the priority of interference factors.

[0039] Furthermore, the priority of the interfering factors is obtained according to the following steps:

[0040] The airflow direction between the corresponding leak point and the corresponding expected installation location is divided into positive and negative directions;

[0041] When the airflow direction between the potential leak point and the expected installation location is positive, the priority of the interference factor of the expected installation location relative to the potential leak point is set to a value that has no impact on the priority of other factors; or compared with the priority of the interference factor of the expected installation location when the airflow direction is opposite, it is set to a value that has a relatively small impact on the priority of other factors.

[0042] Furthermore, the priority of the interference factors is based on the formula

[0043]

[0044] The calculations show that l is the distance between the expected installation location and the corresponding possible leak point, and a is a correction parameter related to the airflow velocity.

[0045] Furthermore, when there are interfering factors at the expected installation location, the priority of the installation location factor, the priority of the concentration factor, and the priority of the interfering factor are multiplied together to obtain the priority of the corresponding expected installation location.

[0046] Furthermore, the device in question is an air conditioning system, and the leaked substance is refrigerant.

[0047] The present invention proposes a computer-readable storage medium, including a computer program for storing a computer program that, when executed, performs the method for confirming the location of a leakage sensor as described in the above technical solution.

[0048] This invention quantifies the expected installation locations for detecting leaking substances using corresponding parameters, and scientifically selects these locations based on the final quantification results. This achieves comprehensive detection while avoiding sensor redundancy. Taking its application in the air conditioning field as an example, this invention determines the most likely locations of refrigerant leaks (such as pipe weld points or areas with dense piping) and suitable locations for installing refrigerant sensors. It analyzes the time required for refrigerant to diffuse from each potential leak point to the installation point and the concentration at the installation point, determining multiple optimal installation locations. By identifying the optimal installation locations for the refrigerant sensors, the minimum number of sensors can be used to detect the maximum range that can be warned, reducing the number of sensors required, lowering costs, and improving user safety and experience. Attached Figure Description

[0049] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the embodiments and accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0050] Figure 1 This is a main flowchart of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Figure 2 This is a main flowchart of another embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Figure 3This is a main flowchart of an application example of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0053] To make the technical problems to be solved, the technical solutions, and the beneficial effects of the present invention clearer, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0054] Therefore, a feature pointed out in this specification is used to describe one feature of one embodiment of the invention, and does not imply that every embodiment of the invention must have the described feature. Furthermore, it should be noted that this specification describes many features. Although certain features may be combined to illustrate possible system designs, these features may also be used in other combinations not explicitly stated. Therefore, unless otherwise stated, the described combinations are not intended to be limiting.

[0055] In order to form a scientific method for confirming the location of a leak sensor, the present invention proposes a method for confirming the location of a leak sensor, which includes the following steps in a basic embodiment.

[0056] like Figure 1 As shown, after confirming the installation structure and location of the equipment, all possible leakage points and all expected installation locations of leakage sensors are counted.

[0057] Based on the positional relationship between each expected installation location and each possible leak point, the priority of the installation location factor relative to each possible leak point is obtained.

[0058] The concentration of leaked substances at the expected installation location is obtained by simulating the operation of the equipment at each possible leak point;

[0059] Based on the concentration of leaked substances at each expected installation location corresponding to each possible leak point obtained from the simulation, the concentration factor priority of the expected installation location relative to each leak point is obtained;

[0060] The priority of each expected installation location is obtained based on the priority of installation location factors and the priority of concentration factors;

[0061] Data with a priority level less than or equal to the threshold is removed, and the priority of each expected installation location for each possible leak point is statistically analyzed.

[0062] Use the set of data on the priority of a single expected installation location for each possible leak point as the initial data set and the current data set;

[0063] The priority of all anticipated installation locations is analyzed, and one or more anticipated installation locations that have the fewest anticipated installation locations and can include all possible leakage points are selected as the final installation locations.

[0064] In the above basic embodiments, the technical solution of the present invention mainly includes two stages.

[0065] The first stage involves determining the priority of each anticipated installation location relative to each potential leak point. For example, if there are 3 potential leak points and 5 anticipated installation locations, then the priority of the first anticipated installation location, B1, is {A11, A12, A13}. A11 represents the priority of the anticipated installation location B1 relative to the first potential leak point, and A12 and A13 follow the same pattern. The second to fifth anticipated installation locations also form corresponding datasets based on the first anticipated installation location. The values ​​of A11, A12, and A13 may be 0 or negative. When the priority of an anticipated installation location relative to a potential leak point is less than or equal to a threshold (e.g., A11 ≤ 0), it means that the priority of the first anticipated installation location relative to the first potential leak point is less than or equal to 0, indicating that even if a sensor is installed at the first anticipated installation location, the leaked material from the first potential leak point cannot be detected.

[0066] Therefore, this invention requires cleaning the statistical dataset, removing priority data less than or equal to the threshold. Thus, B1 becomes B1 = {A12, A13}. In specific implementation, the threshold is determined based on the priority of each factor. For example, if the priorities of factors such as installation location are all proportional values ​​less than 1, using 0 or negative values ​​to represent extremely low or infinite priority, then the threshold can be 0. If the priorities of factors such as installation location are all greater than 50, and priority is represented by a product, then the threshold can be set to 2500 or higher; values ​​below 2500 indicate extremely low or infinite priority. These examples illustrate that priority can be represented by quantifiable values ​​and are used to define the specific value of the priority threshold without limiting its exact value.

[0067] After removing priority values ​​that would be ineffective even if installed, this invention refers to these data sets as the initial data set.

[0068] The second stage is to achieve a comprehensive detection effect by determining which datasets can meet the requirements of a comprehensive detection.

[0069] Assume the initial data sets corresponding to the priority of the three previously expected installation locations are as follows.

[0070] B1 = {A12, A13};

[0071] B2 = {A21, A22, A23};

[0072] B3 = {A31}.

[0073] So, after the second stage of filtering the initial data set, it is clear that the initial data set of the second expected installation location contains the location domain of all possible leak points, that is, it contains all three possible leak points. Only one leak sensor needs to be installed at the second expected installation location to effectively detect the leaked gas from the three possible leak points, which achieves the effect of comprehensive detection and reduces the cost of deploying sensors.

[0074] Assume the initial data sets corresponding to the priority of the three previously expected installation locations are as follows.

[0075] B1 = {A12, A13};

[0076] B2 = {A21};

[0077] B3 = {A31}.

[0078] Therefore, after the second stage of filtering the initial dataset, the first and second expected installation locations contain the location domains of all possible leak points, as do the first and third expected installation locations. Thus, installing two leak sensors at the first and second expected installation locations is sufficient to effectively detect leaks from all three possible leak points; alternatively, installing two leak sensors at the first and third expected installation locations is also sufficient to effectively detect leaks from all three possible leak points.

[0079] Through the detailed description of the basic embodiments, it can be seen that the present invention fully considers two factors: the priority of the installation location and the priority of the concentration. These two factors are essential for detecting the location of leaks. The present invention represents the situation of each expected installation location with specific quantifiable values, thereby scientifically and statistically analyzing the situation of each expected installation location. By combining the two priorities, the final initial data set is determined, and based on the initial data set, a leak sensor detection location that can be fully covered is obtained.

[0080] The process of analyzing the priority of all anticipated installation locations and selecting one or more anticipated installation locations that have the fewest anticipated installation locations and can contain all possible leakage points as the final installation locations can be performed using the following loop.

[0081] Check sequentially whether each current data set contains the location fields of all possible leak points;

[0082] If included, the data set containing all possible leak points and corresponding to the expected installation location will be used as the final installation location;

[0083] If not included, then based on the current data set, each initial data set not included in the current data set is merged to form multiple new current data sets, and the process returns to the previous step of determining whether the location domain of all possible leak points is included, until the final installation location is found.

[0084] The above loop is suitable for situations with a large amount of data, i.e., a large number of datasets and / or a large number of priorities within the datasets, in order to quickly determine the final installation location. If the amount of data is small, the above loop can be omitted. Alternatively, one can start with the largest dataset and gradually reduce the initial dataset to find the case with the fewest expected installation locations.

[0085] In a further relatively preferred embodiment, assuming there are multiple current datasets containing the location domains of all possible leak points, the expected installation location corresponding to the current dataset with the largest average priority value of each possible leak point is taken as the final installation location.

[0086] Assume the initial data sets corresponding to the priority of the three previously expected installation locations are as follows.

[0087] B1={A12, A13}={0.8, 0.9};

[0088] B2 = {A21} = {0.9};

[0089] B3 = {A31} = {0.5}.

[0090] Therefore, between the two scenarios of combining the first and second expected positions, and combining the first and third expected positions, it is clear that choosing the combination of the first and second expected positions will more accurately detect leaked gas. The best option should be to choose the combination of the first and second expected positions as the final installation location for the leak sensor. This method yields the best and most balanced installation location for the leak sensor.

[0091] In one embodiment, if the new, non-repeating current data set does not contain a location field and there is no initial data set not included in the current data set, a corresponding prompt is given. This embodiment can be combined with any of the above embodiments to form a new technical solution.

[0092] In this embodiment, a new, non-duplicate current data set will only exist after all initial data sets are merged. There are no initial data sets not included in the current data set. If all initial data sets are merged together but still do not contain the location domains of all possible leakage points, then it indicates that there is a problem with the initially planned installation location.

[0093] Assume the initial data sets corresponding to the priority of the three previously expected installation locations are as follows.

[0094] B1 = {A13};

[0095] B2 = {A21, A33};

[0096] B3 = {A31}.

[0097] When B1+B2+B3={(A21,A31),(A13,A33)}, the new, non-repeating current data set does not contain any initial data sets that are not included in the current data set. That is, the new current data set has included all the initial data sets. However, it can be seen that the new data set still does not include the location domains of all possible leakage points. The second possible leakage point is not included, indicating that there was an oversight in the original design of the expected installation location. Therefore, it can remind the designer that the location domains not included in the new current data set, which has merged all the initial data sets, should be corrected.

[0098] This embodiment effectively avoids human design errors, ensuring that the final installation location can fully cover the detection of all possible leakage points, thus guaranteeing the safe use of the equipment.

[0099] In the above embodiments, the key is to determine the priority of installation location factors and the priority of concentration factors for each expected installation location.

[0100] In some embodiments, the distance between each expected installation location and a potential leak point can be calculated. This distance can be a projected distance, a straight-line distance, or an actual path distance, etc. The priority of the corresponding installation location factor can be set according to the length of the distance. For example, the priority of the installation location factor for the expected installation location within 10cm of the first potential leak point can be set to 0.95, the priority of the installation location factor for the expected installation location within 10cm-20cm of the first potential leak point can be set to 0.9, and so on, thereby determining the priority of the installation location factor for each expected installation location relative to each potential leak point.

[0101] In a preferred embodiment, the priority of the installation location factor can also be obtained according to the following steps.

[0102] Based on the characteristics of the leaked substance, the leaked substance is divided into two leakage directions: upward leakage and downward leakage.

[0103] The center of a circle is the point on the corresponding side of the equipment housing that is perpendicularly projected towards the direction of leakage for each possible leak point.

[0104] The plane perpendicular to the leakage direction at each potential leak point will be used as the interface.

[0105] For the expected installation location on the side above the corresponding interface, the installation factor priority relative to the corresponding possible leakage point is a value less than or equal to the threshold.

[0106] For the expected installation location on the side below the corresponding interface, relative to the corresponding possible leak point, the installation factor priority of the expected installation location relative to the corresponding possible leak point is obtained based on the distance of the expected installation location from the center of the circle.

[0107] Taking refrigerant leakage as an example, refrigerant is denser than air, so its characteristic is to leak downwards. Therefore, the optimal installation location is on the bottom surface of the air conditioning unit casing. Using the point obtained by projecting each possible leak point vertically towards the bottom surface as the center of a circle, and the horizontal plane where each possible leak point is located as the dividing line,...

[0108] If the first expected installation location is on the side of the casing above the interface of the first possible leak point, then the first expected installation location cannot detect the refrigerant leaking from the first possible leak point. Therefore, the installation factor priority of the first expected installation location relative to the first possible leak point is a value less than or equal to a threshold. Assuming the threshold is 0, then the value of A11 in B1 can be 0. For example, if the bottom surface of the air conditioning unit casing corresponding to a possible leak point is a drip tray, then the installation factor priority of the expected installation location installed on the side of the air conditioning unit casing above the leak point can be set to 0. If the current data set, which merges all initial data sets, lacks the location domain of the leak point, it indicates that the expected installation location is poorly designed and needs to be redesigned on the side near the possible leak point or on the bottom surface near the drip tray.

[0109] In a preferred embodiment, the installation factor priority of a projected installation location relative to a potential leak point can be calculated using a formula that uses the distance from the projected center of the circle corresponding to the potential leak point. The formula is shown below.

[0110]

[0111] Where k is the correction factor, r is the distance from the expected installation position to the center of the corresponding circle, and R is the maximum distance from the center of the corresponding circle to the boundary of the corresponding side of the shell.

[0112] This formula converts the installation factor priority of the expected installation location into a dimensionless proportional value less than 1. Combined with setting the installation factor priority of obviously undetectable locations (such as expected installation locations above the corresponding interface) to 0, it can effectively represent the quantitative value of the installation factor priority of each expected installation location relative to each possible leak point.

[0113] The formula in this embodiment is only a basic formula. Those skilled in the art can further optimize it based on the basic formula. For example, the formula can also be expressed as follows.

[0114]

[0115] Where x and y are the corresponding error values.

[0116] Both the basic and modified formulas use the maximum distance from the center of the circle to the boundary of the corresponding side of the casing as a whole value. The result is an exponential function representing the ratio of the expected installation location's distance from the center of the circle to this whole value. For more accurate quantification, the expected installation location should be as perpendicular to the leakage direction as possible; for example, a refrigerant leak sensor should ideally be installed on the bottom surface of the air conditioning unit's casing.

[0117] In some embodiments, concentration factor priority can also be determined using a similar method.

[0118] In one embodiment, when the concentration of a leak point diffused to the corresponding expected installation location is less than the lowest detectable concentration of the leak sensor at the corresponding expected installation location, the concentration factor priority of the expected installation location relative to the corresponding leak point is less than or equal to a threshold value. The threshold value can be 0, less than 0, the same as the installation location factor priority value, or other values. If the concentration of a leak point diffused to an expected installation location is greater than or equal to the lowest detectable concentration, the concentration factor priority of the expected installation location relative to each leak point is obtained based on the concentration value of the leak point diffused to the corresponding expected installation location.

[0119] By simulating the leakage at each potential leak point individually, the concentration of the leaking substance at each expected installation location is recorded. Assuming the detection accuracy of each leak sensor is 0.1, the concentration can be divided into levels starting from the lowest detectable concentration and incrementing by 0.5. If the concentration at the first potential leak point detected at the first expected installation location is the lowest detectable concentration, the concentration factor priority can be set to a lower level, such as 0.5. If the concentration at the second potential leak point detected at the first expected installation location is the lowest detectable concentration + 2, the concentration factor priority can be set to a relatively high level, such as 0.9. If the concentration at the third potential leak point detected at the first expected installation location is lower than the lowest detectable concentration, the concentration factor priority can be set to 0. This process continues, thus generating a quantified concentration factor priority value for each expected installation location corresponding to a potential leak point.

[0120] In one embodiment, the concentration factor priority can also be calculated using a formula, as shown below.

[0121]

[0122] In this formula, L represents the concentration of the leaking substance at the corresponding expected installation location at the potential leak point. min To correspond to the lowest concentration that the leak sensor can detect at the expected installation location, L max k is a correction factor, where k > 1, corresponding to the highest concentration at all expected installation locations at potential leak points.

[0123] This formula is also a basic formula, which takes the highest concentration at all expected installation locations corresponding to the possible leak point as an overall value, and then looks at the ratio of the difference between other concentrations and the lowest detectable concentration to this overall value to obtain a quantified concentration factor priority.

[0124] Those skilled in the art can also transform the formula into the following form, and by combining it with some priority setting rules for concentration factors below the lowest detectable concentration, the same purpose can be achieved.

[0125]

[0126] In addition to the above-mentioned formula modifications, error values ​​can also be considered for the corresponding values, all of which are modifications of the basic formula and should fall within the protection scope of this invention.

[0127] like Figure 2 As shown, based on the above embodiments or any combination of embodiments, the influence of airflow on detection can be further considered.

[0128] Before obtaining the priority of each expected installation location, the priority of each expected installation location relative to the airflow direction is obtained based on the airflow direction of the expected installation location. Then, based on the priority of the installation location factor, the priority of the concentration factor, and the priority of the interference factor, the priority of each expected installation location is calculated.

[0129] Taking refrigerant leakage as an example, if the expected installation location is upwind of the potential leak point, the refrigerant leak is difficult to detect there. In this case, the interference factor priority can be set to 0 or other values ​​indicating that the refrigerant leak is difficult to detect. Sensors installed downwind are less affected, so the interference factor priority can be set to 1 or other values ​​indicating less impact.

[0130] Prioritizing interfering factors is not always necessary. For example, both scenarios—inside and outside the duct—can be considered. A potential leak point inside the duct might reduce the concentration of the leaked substance (such as refrigerant) at the installation location. Since the leaked substance flows with the duct direction after leakage, the impact of a potential leak point outside the duct on the expected concentration at the installation location is smaller compared to a potential leak point inside the duct. Therefore, prioritizing interfering factors is appropriate for expected installation locations inside the duct, but not for those outside.

[0131] In one embodiment, the priority of interfering factors is obtained according to the following steps.

[0132] The airflow direction between the corresponding leak point and the corresponding expected installation location is divided into positive and negative directions;

[0133] When the airflow direction between the potential leak point and the expected installation location is positive, the priority of the interference factor of the expected installation location relative to the potential leak point is set to a value that has no impact on the priority of other factors; or compared with the priority of the interference factor of the expected installation location when the airflow direction is opposite, it is set to a value that has a relatively small impact on the priority of other factors.

[0134] When the expected installation location is upwind of a potential leak point, leaks of substances such as refrigerant are difficult to detect. Being downwind has less impact on the concentration at the installation location. With proper configuration, airflow interference can be taken into account, resulting in more accurate quantification of priority levels.

[0135] In a specific embodiment, the priority of interfering factors can be determined according to the formula.

[0136]

[0137] The calculations show that 'l' represents the distance between the expected installation location and the potential leak point, and 'a' is a correction parameter related to airflow velocity. By converting the priority of interfering factors into a function related to distance and airflow velocity, more accurate quantification values ​​are obtained.

[0138] In one embodiment, when there are interfering factors at the expected installation location, the priority of the installation location factor, the priority of the concentration factor, and the priority of the interfering factor are multiplied together to obtain the priority of each expected installation location.

[0139] By multiplying, we can obtain a priority value of 0 or a negative priority value, which makes it easier to exclude and is simpler to calculate. Of course, those skilled in the art can also use other methods, such as summation, to calculate the priority, but it will be relatively difficult to identify unreasonable data.

[0140] The present invention will be described below using an air conditioning system as an example and a refrigerant as a leaked substance as a detailed embodiment.

[0141] like Figure 3 As shown, air conditioning systems need to be modeled before they can be installed on-site to determine the piping structure and installation location.

[0142] Then, based on the structure of the piping system and the refrigerant heat exchanger, determine the most likely location of refrigerant leakage, such as pipe welding points, dense pipe areas, pipe bends, etc., which is the determination of possible leakage points.

[0143] Based on the refrigerant flow rate during operation, the refrigerant concentration at each expected installation location within the air conditioner casing is determined by simulating leaks at various possible leak points within a certain time after a refrigerant leak.

[0144] In the air conditioning industry, because refrigerant is denser than air, leaked refrigerant typically settles downwards and gradually diffuses outwards. Therefore, the selection of the expected installation location in air conditioning systems is usually based on the base plate. However, some base plates may have drip trays installed, so side mounting plates can also be considered. For example, for indoor units, locations such as heat exchanger brackets, fan mounting plates, side plates, and air outlets can be considered; for outdoor units, locations such as the partition, heat exchanger, and chassis can be selected. The expected installation location at the bottom is more advantageous for detection, thus increasing the priority of the bottom location selection factor. However, for areas with potential obstructions such as drip trays or condensation, refrigerant sensors are not suitable for installation at the bottom. If the designer still sets the expected installation location at the bottom, the priority of that bottom location can be set to zero, and the priority of the installation location factor can change from high to low for nearby side plate locations ranging from low to high.

[0145] Furthermore, based on the lowest detectable concentration (minimum trigger concentration) of the refrigerant sensor, the installation range of the refrigerant sensor at the leak point is determined, and different concentration factor priorities are set for each location according to the concentration level. The priority of the installation location corresponding to the leak point is the product of the concentration factor and the installation location factor priority. That is, the priority of the expected installation location can be calculated using the formula A0 = A1 × A2.

[0146] Furthermore, the priority of interference factors related to airflow direction can be considered in air conditioning systems. Most air conditioners, whether indoor or outdoor units, have fans. During operation, the fans significantly impact the priority of potential installation locations if refrigerant leaks and the system continues to operate. A leak located inside the duct might cause a decrease in refrigerant concentration at the installation location. However, since the refrigerant flows with the duct after a leak, the impact of a leak outside the duct on the concentration at the installation location is smaller compared to a leak inside the duct. In other words, potential installation locations outside the duct may not require prioritization of interference factors.

[0147] Wind direction can also be further considered. When the installation location is upwind of the leak point, it is difficult to detect the refrigerant leak. Being downwind has less impact on the concentration at the installation location. With the wind direction positive, the leak point as the origin, and the distance between the leak point and the installation location as l, the distance is negative when the installation location is upwind of the leak point. Therefore, the relative direction between the leak point and the installation location is influenced by the factor k. 相 The calculation formula is:

[0148]

[0149] Where: 'a' is a correction factor, which is related to wind speed; the higher the wind speed, the larger the value of 'a'.

[0150] When the expected installation location is affected by airflow within the casing, the formula for calculating the priority of the expected installation location for the corresponding potential leak point is A = k. 相 A0.

[0151] After calculating the priority of each expected installation location, the location of all possible leak points in the entire range is determined and recorded as the location field {T}. The priority of each possible leak point corresponding to each expected installation location is obtained through data collection. Values ​​with a priority A less than or equal to 0 are undetectable points and need to be cleared.

[0152] The priority of each expected installation location corresponding to all possible leak points is set as a data set B. m ={A m1 A m2 A mn}, Amn This indicates the priority of selecting the nth leaky point corresponding to the mth possible installation location.

[0153] If there exists one or more data sets B m If the dataset contains all possible leak points, i.e., includes the location domain {T}, then it proves that installing a refrigerant sensor at the planned installation location can detect all potential refrigerant leak points within the space. These points can be used as the final installation locations for the intended sensors, and the dataset B can be calculated. m The average value of the internal data is calculated and compared, and the point with the maximum value is the optimal installation point.

[0154] If no data set B exists m If the data includes the location domain {T}, it proves that installing a single refrigerant sensor cannot detect all leak points across the entire space. The data set B from different installation points... m For each pair of locations where leakage points are likely to occur, the higher priority value is used. The resulting new dataset C is obtained by combining the pairs. ab (C ab This indicates that the data set B a and data set B b (The newly constructed data set), determine the data set C. ab Whether the entire location domain {T} is included determines whether all leakable points can be detected.

[0155] The set of values ​​that have the highest average values ​​in the new set is the optimal set of data, and the mounting point that constitutes the new set of data is the best mounting point.

[0156] If the new set obtained by combining two refrigerant sensors cannot contain the location domain {T}, it proves that installing two refrigerant sensors cannot detect all leak points in the entire space. The number of refrigerant sensors needs to be increased, and so on, until a new data set is obtained that can contain the location domain {T}. At this point, the number of refrigerant sensors is the minimum number of refrigerant sensors required to detect refrigerant leaks.

[0157] For example, in the location domain {T} = {"1", "2", "3", "4"} of all possible leak points, there are three locations where refrigerant can be installed. Collected data at B1 = {A 11 A 12} = {0.9, 0.8}, B2 = {A 22 A 24}={0.7,0.7},B3={A 31 A 32 A 33} = {0.8, 0.6, 0.8}. It is obvious that a single refrigerant sensor cannot detect all potential leak points. Location "1" cannot detect leak points "3" and "4", location "2" cannot detect leak points "1" and "3", and location "3" cannot detect leak point "4". Combining data from any two different installation points yields C. 12 =B1&B2={A 11 ,max(A 12 A 22 ), A 24}={0.9, 0.8, 0.7}, C 13 =B1&B3={0.9, 0.8, 0.8}, C 23 ={0.9, 0.8, 0.8, 0.7}. This yields only a new set C. 23 The inclusion of all location fields {T} indicates that installing refrigerant sensors at locations "2" and "3" can detect all leak points throughout the entire space. Therefore, it can be concluded that the minimum number of refrigerant sensors to be installed is 2, and the optimal installation locations are locations "2" and "3".

[0158] The above technical solutions can help determine the accurate and scientific installation locations and quantities of refrigerant leak sensors for air conditioners.

[0159] The present invention also protects a corresponding computer-readable storage medium, which includes a computer program for storing a computer program that, when executed, performs the method for confirming the location of a leak sensor according to the above-described technical solution.

[0160] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for confirming the location of a leakage sensor, characterized in that, include: After confirming the installation structure and location of the equipment, all possible leakage points and all expected installation locations of leakage sensors are identified. Based on the positional relationship between each expected installation location and each possible leak point, the priority of the installation location factor relative to each possible leak point is obtained. The concentration of leaked substances at the expected installation location is obtained by simulating the operation of the equipment at each possible leak point; Based on the concentration of the leaked substance, the concentration factor priority of the expected installation location relative to each leak point is obtained; The priority of each expected installation location is obtained based on the priority of installation location factors and the priority of concentration factors; Data with a priority level less than or equal to the threshold is removed, and the priority of each expected installation location for each possible leak point is statistically analyzed. The priority of all anticipated installation locations is analyzed, and one or more anticipated installation locations that have the fewest anticipated installation locations and can include all possible leakage points are selected as the final installation locations.

2. The method for confirming the location of a leakage sensor as described in claim 1, characterized in that, An analysis of the priority of all anticipated installation locations was performed, and one or more anticipated installation locations that had the fewest anticipated installation locations and could encompass all possible leakage points were selected as the final installation locations. These included: Use the set of data on the priority of a single expected installation location for each possible leak point as the initial data set and the current data set; Check sequentially whether each current data set contains the location fields of all possible leak points; If included, the expected installation location corresponding to one of the data sets containing the location field will be taken as the final installation location; If not included, then based on the current data set, each initial data set not included in the current data set is merged to form multiple new, non-repeating current data sets, and the process returns to the previous step of determining whether the location field is included, until the final installation location is found.

3. The method for confirming the location of a leakage sensor as described in claim 2, characterized in that, When multiple current datasets contain location fields, the expected installation location corresponding to the current dataset with the largest average priority value of each possible leak point is taken as the final installation location.

4. The method for confirming the location of a leakage sensor as described in claim 2, characterized in that, If the new, unique current data set does not contain a location field, and there is no initial data set not included in the current data set, then a corresponding prompt will be given.

5. The method for confirming the location of a leakage sensor as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The priority of the installation location factor is obtained according to the following steps: Based on the characteristics of the leaked substance, the leaked substance is divided into two leakage directions: upward leakage and downward leakage. The center of a circle is the point on the corresponding side of the equipment housing that is perpendicularly projected towards the direction of leakage for each possible leak point. The plane perpendicular to the leakage direction at each potential leak point will be used as the interface. For the expected installation location on the side above the corresponding interface, the installation factor priority relative to the corresponding possible leakage point is a value less than or equal to the threshold. For the expected installation location on the side below the corresponding interface, relative to the corresponding possible leak point, the installation factor priority of the expected installation location relative to the corresponding possible leak point is obtained based on the distance of the expected installation location from the center of the circle.

6. The method for confirming the location of a leakage sensor as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The installation priority of the expected installation location relative to the corresponding potential leak point is determined based on the distance of the expected installation location from the center of the circle. Specifically, this is done according to the formula... The calculations show that k is the correction factor, r is the distance from the expected installation position to the center of the corresponding circle, and R is the maximum distance from the center of the corresponding circle to the boundary of the corresponding side of the shell.

7. The method for confirming the location of a leakage sensor as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, If the concentration at the corresponding leak point that diffuses to the corresponding expected installation location is less than the lowest concentration detectable by the leak sensor at the corresponding expected installation location, then the concentration factor priority of the expected installation location relative to the corresponding leak point is less than or equal to the threshold; otherwise, the concentration factor priority of the expected installation location relative to each leak point is obtained based on the concentration value at the corresponding leak point that diffuses to the corresponding expected installation location.

8. The method for confirming the location of a leakage sensor as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The formula used to prioritize the concentration factor of the expected installation location relative to each leak point is... Calculated; L represents the concentration of the leaking substance at the corresponding expected installation location, corresponding to the potential leak point. min To correspond to the lowest concentration that the leak sensor can detect at the expected installation location, L max k is a correction factor, where k > 1, corresponding to the highest concentration at all expected installation locations at potential leak points.

9. The method for confirming the location of a leakage sensor as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, Also includes: Based on the airflow direction of each expected installation location relative to the same space, the priority of interference factors for each expected installation location relative to the airflow direction is obtained. Based on the priority of installation location factors, the priority of concentration factors, and the priority of interference factors, the priority of each expected installation location is calculated.

10. The method for confirming the location of a leakage sensor as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The priority of the interfering factors is obtained according to the following steps: The airflow direction between the corresponding leak point and the corresponding expected installation location is divided into positive and negative directions; When the airflow direction between the potential leak point and the expected installation location is positive, the priority of the interference factor of the expected installation location relative to the potential leak point is set to a value that has no impact on the priority of other factors; or compared with the priority of the interference factor of the expected installation location when the airflow direction is opposite, it is set to a value that has a relatively small impact on the priority of other factors.

11. The method for confirming the location of a leakage sensor as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The priority of the interference factors is based on the formula. The calculations show that l is the distance between the expected installation location and the corresponding possible leak point, and a is a correction parameter related to the airflow velocity.

12. The method for confirming the location of a leakage sensor as described in claim 9, characterized in that, When there are interfering factors at the expected installation location, the priority of the installation location factor, the priority of the concentration factor, and the priority of the interfering factor are multiplied together to obtain the priority of the corresponding expected installation location.

13. The method for confirming the location of a leakage sensor as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The device in question is an air conditioning system, and the leaked substance is refrigerant.

14. A computer-readable storage medium comprising a storage device for storing a computer program, characterized in that, When the computer program is executed, it performs the method for confirming the location of the leak sensor as described in any one of claims 1 to 13.

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