Compressor Maintenance Calculation Using Dynamic Temperature Weighting

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing compressor maintenance schedules are not accurately adjusted based on actual usage conditions such as pressure and temperature, leading to insufficient maintenance time, which can result in premature failure.

Innovation Solution

A compressor system that calculates maintenance time by adjusting temperature weighting in relation to fluid pressure and compressor operating rate, using sensors and correction maps to account for internal temperature and operational conditions, ensuring accurate maintenance timing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If maintenance time is set based on predetermined operating time or pressure specification, then the maintenance schedule is simple to implement, but the maintenance time does not accurately reflect actual component degradation conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance time accuracyVSAvoidmaintenance calculation system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the maintenance time calculation based on operating parameters (pressure and temperature). Instead of using fixed predetermined time intervals, the system dynamically adjusts maintenance time by integrating operating time with correction coefficients that depend on detected pressure and temperature values, thereby reflecting actual component degradation conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by using sensors to continuously detect pressure and temperature during compressor operation, then feeding this information back to the maintenance calculation unit. This closed-loop system allows the maintenance schedule to be continuously adjusted based on actual operating conditions, improving accuracy while managing complexity through systematic data collection and processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If ambient temperature is used to calculate maintenance time, then the calculation is simple, but it does not accurately represent the internal temperature that actually affects component life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinternal temperature measurementVSAvoidinternal temperature detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses ambient temperature as an intermediary parameter to estimate internal temperature. Since directly measuring internal temperature is difficult, the system detects ambient temperature and uses correction coefficients based on pressure and ambient temperature to calculate the effect of internal temperature on component degradation, thereby indirectly representing the actual thermal conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes parameters by using pressure and ambient temperature as measurable parameters to derive information about internal temperature. Through correction maps that relate these parameters, the system transforms easily measurable external parameters into meaningful indicators of internal component stress conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If maintenance time is extended for low-load operation, then customer benefits increase, but failure prevention may be compromised if not properly calculated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefailure preventionVSAvoidmaintenance interval
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting maintenance intervals based on operating parameters. During low-load operation with lower pressure and temperature, the correction coefficients result in extended maintenance intervals, reducing unnecessary maintenance. During high-load operation, the coefficients automatically shorten intervals to prevent failure, thereby optimizing both reliability and time loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3225845B1compressor
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 HITACHI IND EQUIP SYST CO LTD
  • EP3225845B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3225845B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3225845B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Provided is a compressor capable of calculating the correct time remaining before maintenance. The compressor is provided with: a compressor body that compresses fluid; a motor that drives the compressor body; a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the compressor; a pressure sensor that detects the pressure of the compressed fluid outputted from the compressor body; and a calculation unit that calculates the time remaining before maintenance for the compressor body, using the temperature of the compressor and the pressure of the compressed fluid assigned with respective predetermined weights. The calculation unit changes the weighting of the temperature according to the pressure of the compressed fluid or the operation rate of the compressor body.