HVAC Energy Metering for Variable-Speed Compressor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional HVAC systems with variable speed compressors present challenges in accurately measuring energy consumption due to varying power usage based on speed, which is not adequately addressed by simple ON/OFF duty cycle calculations.
Innovation Solution
An energy sensor measures incremental energy consumption, a processor accumulates and reports this data, and a logic control unit adjusts the compressor speed using pulse width modulation based on temperature differences, enabling precise energy measurement and reporting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If variable speed compressor is used to optimize energy consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but measurement precision of energy consumption deteriorates because simple ON/OFF duty cycle calculations are inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical measurement approaches (simple ON/OFF duty cycle counting) with electronic measurement systems that use energy sensors and microcontrollers to directly measure and digitally process energy consumption data, enabling precise measurement of variable speed operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary measurement system consisting of energy sensors and microcontrollers that mediate between the variable speed compressor and the measurement process, allowing accurate capture of instantaneous power consumption and integration over time to determine total energy usage
2Measurement precision
If energy sensor and processor are added to measure and report energy consumption, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microcontroller serves multiple functions: it controls the variable speed compressor operation, measures energy consumption through the energy sensor, processes the measurement data, and communicates results to external systems. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the energy measurement function with the existing control system by integrating the energy sensor and microcontroller into the compressor control architecture, merging measurement and control functions into a unified system rather than adding separate standalone measurement equipment
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
This solution allows for accurate partitioning and reporting of energy consumption, enabling efficient energy management and optimization by adjusting compressor speed according to temperature differences, thereby improving energy usage tracking and conservation.
Implementation Method 1
an energy sensor that measures an incremental energy value consumed by an electrical device during an incremental time duration
Implementation Method 2
A pulse width modulation controller controls a pulse width of the at least one control signal in accordance with a temperature difference and a feedback signal from the variable speed device
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the invention provide apparatuses, methods, and systems that support measuring and conveying energy consumption by an electrical device. An apparatus includes an energy sensor that measures an incremental energy value consumed by an electrical device. Apparatus obtains the incremental energy value, accumulates an energy usage measurement in accordance with the incremental energy value, provides requested information about energy consumption of the electrical device in response to a request from a network controller, and adjusts the energy usage measurement in accordance with the requested information. The total energy consumption may be partitioned into at least one energy component, in which the at least one energy component corresponds to the energy consumption of the electrical device during an associated time interval. A network controller may use the energy consumption information to determine a new set temperature for a thermostat unit that instructs the device control logic.