Heat Pump Performance Grading Using Aggregate Current Sensing
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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 remote monitoring system that integrates an air handler monitor module and a condensing monitor module, which aggregate current data using frequency domain analysis and statistical analysis to determine the operation of individual components, reducing the number of necessary sensors and providing real-time performance data and predictive maintenance alerts.
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 and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple discrete current sensors into a single current sensor that measures aggregate current for multiple HVAC components. This merging reduces the number of sensors from multiple individual sensors to one aggregate sensor, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while still enabling component-level monitoring through signal processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The single current sensor serves multiple functions by measuring aggregate current that contains information about multiple different components. Through frequency domain analysis and statistical analysis, this universal sensor can identify and monitor individual component operation patterns, making one sensor perform the work of multiple specialized sensors.
2Measurement precision
If multiple discrete sensors are used to measure current individually for each component, then measurement precision is improved, but installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple discrete sensors into a single aggregate current sensor, the patent significantly reduces installation cost. The single sensor requires only one installation location and one calibration process, eliminating the need to install and configure multiple individual sensors across different components, thereby making the system more economical while maintaining monitoring accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual representation of individual component current measurements through signal processing of the aggregate current signal. Instead of physically copying multiple sensors to each component, the system uses frequency domain analysis to extract and reconstruct individual component operation patterns from the single aggregate measurement, achieving the same monitoring goal at lower cost.
3Device complexity
If aggregate current data is used instead of individual component current measurements, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision for individual components deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies frequency domain analysis to the aggregate current signal, treating the electrical signal similarly to a vibrational signal. By analyzing the frequency spectrum of the aggregate current, the system can identify distinct frequency components corresponding to different HVAC components, thereby separating and measuring individual component currents from the aggregate signal with high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses statistical analysis and pattern recognition to continuously refine its understanding of individual component operation patterns from the aggregate current signal. By comparing expected operational patterns with actual measured patterns, the system can accurately attribute portions of the aggregate current to specific components, maintaining measurement precision while using a simplified sensor configuration.
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~2C
Figure 3~4A
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.