Method and system for determining the level of efficiency of a ventilation system of an electrical enclosure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ventilation systems in electrical enclosures face efficiency degradation due to filter clogging and fan malfunctions, leading to overheating and reduced lifespan, necessitating a simple and reliable method to monitor filter clogging using minimal sensors.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a learning phase to determine the power dissipation profile and an evaluation phase to assess airflow efficiency using temperature sensors and a processing unit, comparing airflow with threshold values to determine the ventilation system's efficiency level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a periodic manual check of the filter is performed, then the level of clogging can be determined, but the method is too restrictive and difficult to implement in installations with a large number of electrical enclosures
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation system performs self-diagnosis by automatically monitoring its own airflow performance through temperature differential measurements. The system calculates the actual airflow based on the temperature difference between inlet and outlet air, and compares it against expected values to detect filter clogging without requiring manual intervention or external monitoring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection of the filter with an electronic monitoring system that uses temperature sensors and computational algorithms to detect filter clogging. This substitution of mechanical/manual methods with electronic/automated methods enables remote monitoring and simplifies operation in installations with multiple enclosures.
2Reliability
If electronic solutions with multiple sensors are used to determine filter clogging, then the determination can be more reliable, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential measurement needed for airflow determination - the temperature differential between inlet and outlet air. By focusing on this single critical parameter rather than measuring multiple variables (such as pressure differential, airflow velocity, or filter resistance), the system achieves reliable filter clogging detection with minimal sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses air temperature as an intermediary parameter to indirectly measure airflow and filter clogging. Instead of directly measuring airflow or filter condition, the system measures the temperature of air at different points in the ventilation path, which serves as a proxy indicator for airflow performance and filter status.
3Temperature
If the air flow is increased to maintain cooling when the filter is clogged, then the electrical devices remain cool, but the fan is put under increased strain affecting its lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of filter clogging by continuously monitoring airflow performance through temperature measurements. By detecting filter degradation early, before it severely impacts cooling, the system can alert operators to clean or replace the filter proactively, preventing the situation where excessive fan strain becomes necessary to maintain cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation system implements feedback monitoring by continuously measuring the temperature differential across the filter and comparing actual airflow against expected values. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect when the filter is becoming clogged and alert operators, enabling timely maintenance actions before fan strain increases to dangerous levels.
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
This approach allows for a simple, reliable, and cost-effective monitoring of ventilation system efficiency, reducing the risk of overheating and extending fan lifespan by identifying inefficiencies promptly.
Implementation Method 1
a step of determining a profile of power dissipated by Joule effect in the electrical enclosure by each electrical device
Implementation Method 2
a step of determining the average air flow of the fan over an evaluation period from a profile of the temperature of the air outside the envelope obtained over said evaluation period, a profile of the temperature of the air at the outlet of the envelope
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for determining the level of efficiency of a ventilation system of an electrical enclosure (1) intended to house one or more electrical devices (2), said method comprising: - a learning phase ( APP) comprising a step of determining a profile of power dissipated by Joule effect (1) by each electrical device, - a phase of evaluating (EVAL) the level of efficiency of the ventilation system, comprising: - a step of determination of the mean airflow (Dmean) of a fan (3) from a profile of the temperature of the air outside the envelope obtained over an evaluation period, of a profile of the temperature of the air at the outlet of the enclosure and of said dissipated power profile determined during the learning phase, - a step of comparing the average airflow (Daverage) with one or more threshold values in to determine the level of efficiency of the ventilation system.