Apparatus management system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat source systems face complexity in controlling refrigeration capacity, leading to excessive change operations and inefficiencies in managing heat medium circulation, particularly in adjusting control gains based on the number of refrigerating machines and external temperature.
Innovation Solution
A device management system that prohibits unnecessary capacity changes in heat source devices by using a determination unit to assess temperature changes and other parameters, preventing excessive operations through a notification system and adjusting the number of operating devices based on thermal load predictions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If control gain is adjusted based on the number of refrigerating machines in operation, the operating state of the refrigerating machines, the outside air temperature, and so on, then the refrigeration system can maintain stable operation, but the control becomes complex and difficult to manufacture and adjust
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex control gain adjustment logic from the overall control system and implements it as a separate determination unit that automatically determines whether to prohibit capacity changes. This isolation simplifies the main control flow while maintaining the stability benefits of adaptive control gain adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The determination unit performs preliminary assessment of temperature changes and system state before allowing capacity changes. By evaluating whether temperature changes are within acceptable ranges and whether the system is in a stable state, the determination unit prevents unnecessary or destabilizing capacity changes before they occur.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of refrigerating machines is changed to adjust refrigeration capacity, then the system can adapt to different thermal loads, but extra change operations increase system complexity and reduce efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The determination unit continuously monitors temperature changes and system operating state, using this feedback to intelligently determine when capacity changes are appropriate. By analyzing the rate and direction of temperature changes, the system can suppress unnecessary capacity changes while allowing beneficial ones, thereby reducing operation frequency while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
Before executing a capacity change, the determination unit performs preliminary evaluation of the current temperature trend and system state. This preliminary action prevents unnecessary capacity changes by identifying when temperature changes are within acceptable ranges or when the system is already adapting appropriately, thereby reducing extra operations.
3Productivity
If capacity changes are allowed frequently to respond to temperature variations, then the system can maintain optimal performance, but hunting of control variable occurs and stability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The determination unit performs preliminary assessment of temperature changes before allowing capacity changes. By evaluating whether temperature changes exceed thresholds and whether the system is in a stable state, it prevents capacity changes during transient conditions that would cause hunting, while still allowing rapid response to genuine load changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The determination unit applies preliminary anti-action by prohibiting capacity changes when temperature changes indicate unstable conditions or when the system is already responding appropriately. This counteracts the tendency to make unnecessary capacity changes that would cause control variable hunting, while maintaining the ability to respond to genuine load changes.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a device management system that reduces extra change operations for the capacity of a specific device without increasing the complexity of a heat source system. A device management apparatus (50) manages a heat source device (10) that is a specific device that changes a state of a heat medium circulating through a heat source system (1). The device management apparatus (50) receives a state value of the heat medium that is measured by an outlet temperature sensor (63) included in the heat source system (1), and prohibits a change operation of a capacity of the heat source device (10) on the basis of a parameter related to a change in the state value.