Compressor Surge Detection Using Oscillatory Parameter Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional compressor surge detection methods fail to predict the onset of surge phenomena accurately and respond in time to prevent damage, as they rely on delayed measurements of operational values like suction temperature and electrical current.

Innovation Solution

A compressor surge detection system that monitors oscillatory behavior of electrical current and evaporating temperature parameters, using a processing unit to derive a diagnostic parameter based on oscillation amplitude and frequency, allowing early detection and proactive countermeasures to prevent surge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional surge detection systems use measurements of operational values (suction temperature, electrical current) to detect surge, then the system can detect when surge is happening, but the detection is delayed and occurs after surge has already started

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurge detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of operational parameters to detect early signs of surge before it fully develops. By monitoring trends in suction temperature, electrical current, and other operational values, the system identifies precursor indicators that predict imminent surge, enabling proactive intervention before the harmful oscillatory flow condition establishes itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of waiting for surge to manifest and then detecting it through conventional sensors, the system inverts the approach by analyzing operational parameters to predict when surge will occur. The system looks for patterns and trends in normal operation that precede surge conditions, effectively detecting the pre-surge state rather than the surge state itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the system acts to exit surge condition after detection, then the compressor can be protected from damage, but the surge has already occurred causing potential harm

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompressor damageVSAvoidresponse time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by implementing protective measures before surge occurs. Through continuous monitoring and analysis of operational parameters, the system predicts surge conditions and triggers preventive actions (such as adjusting compressor speed or flow rate) to prevent surge from developing, thereby eliminating the harmful effects before they can manifest.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system takes preliminary action by preparing and executing protective measures in advance of surge occurrence. The predictive analysis enables the control system to initiate corrective actions during the pre-surge phase, preventing the harmful oscillatory flow condition from establishing itself and protecting the compressor from damage before it can occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4224090B1Compressor surge detection system and method
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 DAIKIN APPLIED EURO SPA
  • EP4224090B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4224090B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4224090B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A compressor surge detection system (1) for a refrigerating apparatus (100), comprises: a sensing system, configured for detecting a monitoring parameter representative of either (i) an electrical current absorbed by an electrical motor of a compressor (102) of the refrigerating apparatus or (ii) a saturating evaporating temperature of the refrigerating fluid at an inlet (I) of the compressor; a processing unit, programmed to process the monitoring parameter for deriving a diagnostic parameter, representative of an oscillatory behavior for the monitoring parameter and for generating an alert signal in response to the diagnostic parameter.