Heating Circuit Gas Detection Using Circulation Pump Power Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting gas in heating circuits of air conditioners are complex, costly, and not sufficiently precise, often requiring structural modifications and additional sensors, making them unsuitable for efficient and safe operation.
Innovation Solution
Monitoring the power consumption of the circulation pump in the heating circuit, comparing it against predefined limits and tolerances, and adjusting for fluctuations due to dirt or scale buildup, to detect gas presence without additional hardware, allowing for automated degassing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor is used to detect gas in the heating circuit, then gas detection capability is improved, but system complexity and risk of sensor failure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electronic sensor-based gas detection system with a measurement system that uses the circulation pump's electrical power consumption as an indicator. By monitoring the pump's power consumption and comparing it to reference values, the system detects gas presence without requiring additional sensors, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining detection capability.
2Measurement precision
If a sensor is used to detect gas in the heating circuit, then gas detection capability is improved, but reliability decreases due to sensor failure risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the reliability issues associated with sensors by substituting the sensor-based detection system with a method that monitors the circulation pump's existing electrical power consumption. This approach uses already-present pump components and electrical measurements, removing the single point of failure that sensors represent while maintaining gas detection functionality.
3Measurement precision
If pressure measurement in the expansion vessel is used to detect air bubbles, then gas detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex pressure measurement system in the expansion vessel with a simpler electrical power consumption measurement of the circulation pump. By monitoring the pump's electrical characteristics and comparing them to reference values, the system achieves gas detection without requiring additional pressure sensors or complex hydraulic measurements.
4Measurement precision
If a vacuum degassing device is used to remove gas from the heating circuit, then gas removal capability is improved, but device complexity and suitability for building heating circuits decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the gas detection functionality from complex external degassing devices and integrates it into the existing circulation pump system by monitoring the pump's power consumption. This approach removes the need for separate vacuum degassing devices while maintaining the ability to detect and respond to gas presence in the heating circuit.
5Device complexity
If the circulation pump power consumption is monitored to detect gas, then system simplicity is improved, but measurement precision may decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring the circulation pump's power consumption, comparing it to reference values stored in memory, and using this information to control the heating system. The system adjusts operation based on the detected gas levels, maintaining precision through continuous feedback loops while keeping the overall system simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the circulation pump serve multiple functions: not only does it circulate the heat transfer fluid, but its power consumption also serves as an indicator for gas detection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate detection devices, maintaining measurement precision while simplifying the overall system architecture.
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
Provides a simple, stable, and cost-effective method for detecting gas in heating circuits, suitable for existing systems, with automated degassing capabilities, ensuring efficient heat transfer and reducing the risk of sensor failure.
Implementation Method 1
The power consumption of the circulation pump is measured
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A method for detecting gas in a heating circuit (2) of an air conditioning unit (1) is proposed. The heating circuit (2) includes a circulation pump (5) for circulating a liquid heat transfer fluid within the heating circuit (2). The power consumption of the circulation pump (5) is measured, and if it falls below a power limit (19), a significant proportion of gas is inferred in the heating circuit (2). The circulation pump (5) is operated at a predetermined test speed when the power consumption is measured, and/or the power limit (19) is defined as a function of the speed of the circulation pump (5). Furthermore, a tolerance (20) for the power consumption is included in the comparison with the power limit (19). Changes in the measured power consumption are determined by regularly measuring the power consumption at intervals, and the tolerance (20) is adjusted accordingly.