Heat pump and air conditioning grading systems and methods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional HVAC monitoring systems are cost-prohibitive due to the need for multiple discrete sensors to measure current individually for each component, making efficient monitoring and diagnosis of HVAC systems challenging and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A grading system that determines a grade for a heat pump or air conditioning system based on power consumption differences and temperature variations, using a mapping of indoor and outdoor temperatures to estimate expected power consumption and adjust for deviations, allowing for remote monitoring and reporting of system efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple discrete sensors are used to measure current individually for each component, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and cost becomes prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple discrete current measurements into a single aggregate current measurement. Instead of measuring current for each component (compressor, condenser fan, evaporator fan, etc.) separately with individual sensors, the system measures the total current drawn by the HVAC system through a single sensor at the power input, then uses signal processing to extract component-level information from this aggregate measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The single aggregate current sensor serves multiple functions: it measures total power consumption, enables component-level diagnostics, provides system efficiency grading, and supports predictive maintenance. This universal approach eliminates the need for multiple specialized sensors while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capabilities.
2Reliability
If multiple discrete sensors are installed for each component, then reliability of monitoring is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complex installation and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The system reduces installation complexity by using a single aggregate current sensor instead of multiple discrete sensors. This single sensor is installed at the power input to the HVAC system, eliminating the need to access and install sensors on individual components throughout the system, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining monitoring reliability through advanced signal processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces signal processing algorithms as an intermediary that extracts component-level information from the aggregate current measurement. This intermediary layer enables reliable component-level monitoring without physically installing sensors on each component, bridging the gap between simple installation and reliable diagnostics.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If traditional monitoring systems with multiple sensors are used, then diagnostic capability is improved, but loss of information increases due to data management complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts component-level diagnostic information from the aggregate current measurement through signal processing. By analyzing the temporal and spectral characteristics of the total current, the system separates and identifies the current contributions of individual components (compressor, fans, valves) without physically measuring each one separately, thereby maintaining diagnostic capability while simplifying data management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the aggregate current and provides real-time feedback on system performance, component status, and efficiency grading. This ongoing feedback loop enables proactive maintenance and optimization while managing information flow in a centralized, manageable way, reducing data management complexity compared to handling multiple independent sensor streams.
Data Source
AI summary
An expectation module determines an expected average power consumption of a heat pump for a predetermined period as a function of indoor and outdoor temperatures of the building during the predetermined period. A difference module determines a power difference between an average power consumption of the heat pump during the predetermined period and the expected average power consumption of the heat pump for the predetermined period. A grade determination module determines a grade of the heat pump for the predetermined period based on the power difference of the predetermined period. A reporting module generates a displayable report including the grade of the heat pump for the predetermined period.