Fan Unit Operating Point Detection Using Power Characteristic Curves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the condition of filters in fan units are either complex, require additional sensors, or lack precision in assessing flow resistance changes, which can lead to inefficient filter maintenance and operation.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize power characteristic curves to determine the operating point of a fan unit with a filter, including the creation of airflow, measurement of electrical power, and selection of power characteristic curves to unambiguously define the current operating point, even in ambiguous power value ranges, by considering power values at different times to account for filter contamination and flow resistance changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If power characteristic curves are used to determine the operating point, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for curve selection and ambiguous range handling
Solution Approach 1:
Power characteristic curves are predetermined and stored in memory before operation. During runtime, the system only needs to retrieve the appropriate curve based on operating conditions and evaluate the measured power value against the stored curve, avoiding complex real-time calculations and simplifying the control algorithm while maintaining high precision
Solution Approach 2:
The power characteristic curve serves as an intermediary between the measured electrical power and the operating point parameters. Instead of directly calculating the operating point from power measurements, the system uses the pre-established curve relationship as a mediator to translate power values into accurate operating point information, simplifying the evaluation process
2Measurement precision
If additional sensors are installed to detect flow resistance changes, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the fan's own electrical power consumption as an indirect but accurate indicator of flow resistance changes. By monitoring how the power required to maintain a constant speed changes over time, the system can determine filter contamination levels without any additional flow or pressure sensors, achieving self-diagnosis functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces mechanical or physical flow measurement sensors with an electrical measurement approach. Instead of using sensors to directly measure airflow or pressure differential, the system substitutes these with electrical power measurements and uses characteristic curves to translate the electrical data into flow resistance information, eliminating the need for additional mechanical sensing components
3Device complexity
If simple power measurement is used without characteristic curves, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to ambiguous power values
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the unique relationship between power and operating point parameters for each specific fan-filter configuration and stores it as pre-determined characteristic curves. This extracted knowledge allows the system to resolve the ambiguity of power values by referencing the specific curve that corresponds to the actual operating conditions, achieving high precision without complex real-time computation
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a ventilator system designed to carry out the method. The method is used to ascertain a current operating point of a ventilator unit having a ventilator and at least one filter. By determining the current operating point, a conclusion can also be drawn regarding the degree of clogging of the filter. It can also be identified whether the filter is present or not. At multiple points in time, a power value for the electrical power of the ventilator can be ascertained. In accordance with the current speed of the ventilator, a power characteristic curve can be selected from a characteristic map or calculated on the basis of a reference characteristic curve which describes the relationship between the electrical power of the ventilator and the pressure differential of the ventilation unit. The power characteristic curve therefore does not only relate to the ventilator but rather to the entire ventilator unit. This allows clear and sufficiently precise determination of the current operating point A of the ventilator unit.