Systems and methods for sensing abnormal fan operation via compressor suction sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Climate control systems, such as dehumidifiers and air conditioning units, face performance reduction and potential damage due to obstructions in the air flow circuit, which existing technologies fail to detect reliably and address effectively.
Innovation Solution
A climate control system with a fluidic circuit and a controller that monitors temperature and pressure data points over time, detects deviations, and compares them to predefined thresholds to determine conditions indicative of air flow obstructions, allowing for adjustments or alerts to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing detection technologies are used, then the system structure remains simple, but the reliability of obstruction detection is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the compressor suction sensor as an intermediary component to detect airflow obstructions. Instead of adding a dedicated detection device, the existing sensor is utilized to monitor pressure deviations that indicate obstruction conditions, thereby improving detection reliability without significantly increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring compressor suction pressure data points, comparing them against expected ranges, and using the deviations to detect obstruction conditions. This feedback mechanism enables reliable detection of airflow problems through existing sensor data
2Reliability
If no detection system is implemented, then the device complexity is low, but the system performance reduction and damage risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-diagnosis by using its existing compressor suction sensor to monitor its own operational status. The controller analyzes pressure data points to detect obstruction conditions, enabling the system to self-identify performance degradation without requiring external monitoring equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The compressor suction pressure serves as an intermediary indicator that reflects the health status of the airflow circuit. By monitoring this intermediate parameter, the system can detect obstructions before they cause significant performance degradation or damage
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively detects air flow obstructions, enabling timely adjustments or alerts to maintain system performance and prevent damage, thereby improving the reliability and longevity of climate control systems.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor may be disposed at the suction side of the compressor and the controller may receive suction side temperature data from the sensor
Implementation Method 2
The controller may detect a plurality of deviations between the data points, each deviation comprising a magnitude and a temporal sequence
Data Source
AI summary
A compressor fluidly couples to a condenser and an evaporator. A sensor is configured to detect a plurality of data points associated with the fluidic circuit. A controller is configured to store the plurality of data points associated with the fluidic circuit and a time associated with each of the data points. The controller can detect a plurality of deviations between the data points, each deviation comprising a magnitude and a temporal sequence. The controller can compare each of the plurality of deviations to a predefined threshold. The controller can determine, based on the comparison of the deviations to the predefined threshold, a condition indicative of an obstruction of an air flow circuit of the climate control system.