Heat Pump Refrigerant Loss Detection Using Temperature Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat pump systems struggle to detect small losses of working fluid efficiently, leading to reduced efficiency and potential failure, and existing leak detection methods are costly and ineffective for early detection.
Innovation Solution
An automatic method that records performance data from the conveying device, estimates the working fluid temperature, and compares it with actual temperatures to detect fluid losses, using standard sensors without additional hardware, and outputs alerts for repair.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If gas and pressure sensors are installed inside the heat pump housing for leak detection, then leak detection capability is improved, but manufacturing costs increase and only large refrigerant losses can be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pump system monitors its own refrigerant level using existing sensors and control units already present in the system. The control unit calculates refrigerant quantity based on temperature and pressure measurements from existing sensors, eliminating the need for additional dedicated leak detection sensors. This self-service approach reduces device complexity while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
Existing sensors in the heat pump system (temperature sensors, pressure sensors) are used for multiple purposes: both for normal operational control and for refrigerant leak detection. The control unit performs dual functions of system control and refrigerant quantity monitoring, making the sensor system universal and avoiding additional manufacturing costs
2Measurement precision
If gas and pressure sensors are installed inside the heat pump housing for leak detection, then leak detection capability is improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses its existing sensor infrastructure to monitor refrigerant levels, eliminating the need for additional expensive leak detection sensors. The control unit processes data from existing temperature and pressure sensors to determine refrigerant quantity, making the system self-sufficient and reducing manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 2:
Existing sensors serve dual purposes: normal system operation control and refrigerant leak detection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated leak detection sensors, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining detection capability
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
Enables early detection of small working fluid losses, reducing maintenance costs and preventing equipment failure by using existing sensors to assess temperature differences and alert users to fluid leaks.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure, mass, and temperature of the working fluid in the closed working fluid circuit are interdependent
Implementation Method 2
at least one heat exchanger in which the working fluid exchanges heat with a utility fluid of a utility fluid circuit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
To ensure the efficiency of a heat pump (10), an automatic method for monitoring working fluid loss from the heat pump (10) is proposed, which includes continuous recording of performance data of the conveying device (15), estimation of the temperature of the working fluid based on the recorded performance data of the conveying device (15), recording of an actual temperature of the working fluid in the working fluid circuit (12) by at least one selected sensor (24a-d, 25a-d), and assessment of working fluid loss from the heat pump (10) based on a determined difference between the estimated temperature and the recorded actual temperatures.If a loss of working fluid from the heat pump (10) is assessed in this way, a corresponding notification is preferably issued to a user to encourage the user to carry out repair measures on the heat pump and to protect the user and the environment from damage caused by leaked working fluid.