Electronic Sensors for Monitoring HVAC Systems

Abstract

An electronic sensor (1) for monitoring an air conditioning system comprises at least one pressure detector (3) adapted to continuously acquire differential pressure at a specific point in the system, and means (10) for continuous verification of a trend curve relating to changes in the differential pressure, the means being provided for generating an alarm condition when a reversal of the trend curve is identified, using a specific predetermined percentage value as a limit.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic sensor for monitoring an aeraulic system, and more particularly to an electronic sensor for acquiring and processing differential pressure in an industrial system and for generating and assigning calculated actions based on a specific application. [Background technology]

[0002] It is well known that in an industrial system with an air conditioning system at the input, filtering means, an industrial extractor and further filtering means, it is important to be able to have immediate feedback of the operation of the system, and in particular of the state of the industrial extractor.

[0003] An air conditioning system is a set of apparatus, devices and ancillary equipment required to provide a desired air quality under preset conditions.

[0004] To achieve this, the air treatment must be carefully monitored to ensure its proper quality, usually with sensors that capture the system's operating parameters and report any anomalies to an external operator. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The intention of the present invention is to provide an electronic sensor for monitoring an air conditioning system, which makes it possible to monitor the state and operation of the system constituted by the air conditioning system, the industrial extractor and the filtering means.

[0006] Within this context, the object of the present invention is to provide an electronic sensor for monitoring air conditioning systems that provides both a visible and an electrical signal and that allows integration with a communication module in a standard protocol.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic sensor for monitoring an air conditioning system that is capable of providing an alarm condition if pre-set parameters are exceeded.

[0008] In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic sensor for monitoring an air conditioning system that is reliable, relatively simple and provided at a competitive cost.

[0009] This intention as well as these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by an electronic sensor for monitoring an air conditioning system comprising at least one pressure detector adapted to continuously obtain a differential pressure at a specific point in the system and means for continuous verification of a trend curve relating to changes in the differential pressure, said means being provided for generating an alarm condition when a reversal of the trend curve is identified, using a specific predetermined percentage value as a limit.

[0010] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of a sensor according to the invention, given by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning system having a sensor according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram of method steps for using a sensor according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012]

[0023] Referring to the drawings, an electronic sensor according to the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, comprises a microprocessor sensor 2 provided with an electronic pressure detector 3 for continuously obtaining the differential pressure at a particular point in the air conditioning circuit.

[0013] FIG. 1 shows, with the reference numeral 4, an industrial extractor inserted between two filtering means 5, i.e. between a filtering means arranged downstream of an input air conditioning system 6 and a filtering means arranged upstream of an output air conditioning system 7.

[0014] The input air conditioning system 6 is located downstream of the user system 8 . Furthermore, the sensor 1 is equipped with a self-learning function, which allows to obtain given pressure values ​​obtained in spontaneous manual operation performed in the correct operating and configuration conditions of the air conditioning system, which are recorded and used in the sensor management firmware as reference values ​​for subsequent system operating state verifications.

[0015] The microprocessor includes means 10 for continuous verification of a trend curve associated with changes in differential pressure, i.e. the microprocessor is programmed with a logic for trend reversal control configured in a series of steps, which firstly monitor and record pressure values ​​during operation of the extractor 4 of the system and continuously verify the trend curve associated with the changes in differential pressure taken into account.

[0016] The sensor microprocessor firmware generates an alarm signal when it identifies a reversal of the trend curve, using as limits specific percentage values ​​defined and differentiated according to the type of extractor considered.

[0017] The overpressure acquisition logic is split into two different functions: -Overpressure (1) covering a configurable operating range from the set point to the limit of the differential pressure sensor. This function is governed by a fixed percentage threshold relative to the set point.

[0018] - Overpressure (2), covering a configurable operating range from the set point to 0 Pa. This function is governed by a configurable percentage threshold, which compares the pressure detected at time t(n+1) with the pressure acquired at time t(n). The time (Δt) that elapses between pressure recordings can be defined by the user. The pressure at time t(n+1) is compared with the pressure acquired at time t(n) and the function returns an alarm if a trend reversal occurs. At each instant after time Δt after t(n), the acquired pressure is stored and becomes the new reference point for the next comparison, keeping the configured percentage threshold as a control measure to give an alarm.

[0019] The chart below graphically depicts the extractor curve as system conditions change, revealing the two different anomalies in the overpressure case discussed earlier.

[0020] [Table 1]

[0021] The sensor is therefore used in an air-conditioning type system providing an industrial extractor 4 inserted between two filtering means 5 .

[0022] Sensor 1 is Verify the condition and nominal operation of the extractor; monitoring the clogging state of the filtering means 5 and distinguishing between different clogging levels; Based on the mathematical function of the "trend reversal" control described above, the system monitors the gradual clogging state of the air conditioning system, Monitor the abnormal condition of the air conditioning system, which may be caused by sudden damage to the system. Monitor the system for abnormal conditions, such as those resulting from a disconnected extractor, or a filter not installed, or a missing duct fitting; Filtering means replacement and time monitoring.

[0023] The results of the processing performed by the microprocessor are converted into usable signals, which can be both visual types available as groups of bright LEDs of different colors that are activated as a function of the operator's specific signal, or electrical signals available via interconnect signals that may be provided by the user of the sensor.

[0024] Additionally, the sensors are pre-configured to integrate with communication modules using publicly available and internationally recognized protocols for information exchange with internal and external systems.

[0025] The signals provided by the sensor can be of two types: Dynamic signals, i.e., signals that are automatically activated and deactivated in response to conditions identified by firmware within the microprocessor system; and A self-holding signal, ie, a signal that is activated when a relevant condition identified by the microprocessor firmware occurs and remains active until manual reset intervention which can be performed by an operator.

[0026] In fact, it has been found that the electronic sensor according to the invention is capable of carrying out monitoring of air conditioning systems and in particular of carrying out trend reversal control with regard to the differential pressure relationships taken into account.

[0027] The sensor according to the invention is capable of generating an alarm signal when it identifies a reversal of the trend curve, using as limits certain defined percentage values ​​differentiated according to the type of extractor considered.

[0028] The trend reversal control makes it possible to maintain a high degree of safety with regard to the actual operation of the extractor system in the air conditioning system.

[0029] A method which can be carried out by the sensor of the present invention comprises the steps of: - monitoring the pressure values ​​during operation of an extractor 4 of the air conditioning system by an electronic sensor 1 provided with an electronic pressure detector 3 adapted to continuously obtain the differential pressure at a given point of the system; continuously verifying a trend curve relating to changes in the obtained differential pressure; and generating an alarm signal when a reversal of the trend curve is identified, using a predetermined percentage value as a limit.

[0030] The sensor thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

[0031] All the details may furthermore be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

[0032] In fact, the materials used and the possible shapes and dimensions may be any according to the requirements and state of the art.

[0033] The disclosure of Italian Patent Application No. 102019000006026, from which this application claims priority, is incorporated herein by reference.

[0034] Where reference signs are given to technical features described in any claim, these reference signs are included solely for the purpose of facilitating the understanding of the claims, and therefore such reference signs shall have no limiting effect on the interpretation of the respective elements which they identify as examples.

Claims

1. An electronic sensor (1) for monitoring an air conditioning system, said electronic sensor (1) comprising: one differential pressure detector (3) adapted to continuously acquire the differential pressure at a particular point of the system; and means (10) for continuous verification of a trend curve relating to changes in differential pressure, said means being provided for generating an alarm condition using a specific predetermined percentage value as a limit when a reversal of said trend curve is identified.

2. 2. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises visual signalling means.

3. 3. The sensor of claim 2, further comprising electrical signaling means.

4. 1. A method for controlling an air conditioning system, the method comprising: The method includes a step of monitoring pressure values ​​during operation of an extractor of the air conditioning system by an electronic sensor (1), the electronic sensor (1) comprising an electronic differential pressure detector (3) adapted to continuously obtain a differential pressure at a specific point of the system, the method further comprising: continuously verifying a trend curve relating to changes in the obtained differential pressure; generating an alarm signal when a reversal of the trend curve is identified, using a predetermined percentage value as a limit.

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