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 inefficiencies due to soiling of air inlet filters, leading to potential overheating and reduced fan lifespan, necessitating a simple and reliable method to determine filter soiling levels without extensive sensor usage, especially in large installations.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a learning phase to determine the power dissipation profile and an evaluation phase to assess ventilation efficiency by measuring air flow rates and temperature profiles, using a minimal number of sensors, including temperature sensors outside and inside the enclosure, to compare against threshold values for determining the system's efficiency level.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If periodic manual checking of filter soiling is implemented, then the operator can assess filter condition, but the method is too restrictive and difficult to implement in large installations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter condition monitoringVSAvoidimplementation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilation system performs self-diagnosis by automatically monitoring its own air flow rate and comparing it against the catalog value, eliminating the need for manual operator intervention to assess filter condition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical inspection is replaced by an electronic monitoring system using air flow sensors and microprocessor-based analysis to automatically detect filter soiling conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If electronic solutions with multiple sensors are used to determine filter soiling, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter soiling detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The solution extracts and monitors only the critical parameter (air flow rate) that directly indicates filter soiling, eliminating the need for multiple sensors to measure various parameters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using multiple physical sensors, the system uses a single air flow measurement combined with catalog data (theoretical air flow rate) to create a virtual reference model for comparison and diagnosis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Temperature

If the air flow rate is maintained at sufficient levels despite filter soiling, then the electrical devices remain cooled properly, but the fan is stressed to a greater degree affecting its working life

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical device coolingVSAvoidfan working life

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors air flow rate and provides feedback about filter soiling condition, enabling early warning before the fan is severely stressed, allowing maintenance to be scheduled optimally

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system detects filter soiling in advance before it causes severe fan stress or device overheating, allowing proactive maintenance action to be taken

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 efficient and reliable determination of ventilation system efficiency, reducing the risk of overheating and extending fan lifespan by identifying inefficiencies through a straightforward and cost-effective process with minimal sensor usage.

Implementation Method 1

at least one fan intended to assist injection of the air into the enclosure in order to cool the electrical devices

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

a filter positioned at the air inlet of the enclosure and used to prevent dust or other polluting particles being conveyed inside the enclosure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

the electrical energy which is used for dissipation of the heat generated by electrical devices housed inside an electrical enclosure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule Heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS10443871B2Method and system for determining the level of efficiency of a ventilation system of an electrical enclosure

Publication Date: 2019.10.15 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IND SAS

AI summary

A method for determining the level of efficiency of a ventilation system of an electrical enclosure intended to house one or more electrical devices, the method including a learning step including a step for determining a profile of the power dissipated via the Joule effect by each electrical device, an evaluation step for evaluating the level of efficiency of the ventilation system, including a step for determining the average air flow rate of a fan from a profile of the temperature of the air outside the enclosure obtained over an evaluation period, a profile of the temperature of the air at the outlet of the enclosure, and the dissipated power profile determined during the learning step, a step for comparing the average air flow rate with one or more threshold values in order to determine the level of efficiency of the ventilation system.