HVAC Fault Detection with Virtual Submetering and Vibration Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fault detection and diagnostics systems for HVAC equipment in commercial buildings face limitations due to sparse instrumentation, lack of accurate energy consumption measurements, limited data sampling frequency, and long data lag times, which hinder effective fault detection and efficiency monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing vibration and current sensors, along with advanced algorithms, is deployed in a special purpose embedded computing system to provide cost-effective and efficient fault detection and diagnostics for HVAC equipment, enabling fine-grained energy consumption modeling and early fault detection by deducing individual component energy consumption and using power line communications for data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If sparse instrumentation is used for cost reduction, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a single main power meter to perform multiple functions: measuring total building power consumption, detecting individual equipment faults through vibration sensors, and enabling virtual submetering through algorithmic disaggregation. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for multiple dedicated measurement devices while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses virtual submetering to create a digital copy or representation of individual equipment power consumption data without physical submeters. Algorithms process main power meter data along with equipment operational parameters to generate accurate estimates of individual equipment energy consumption, effectively copying the measurement function without the physical hardware.
2Measurement precision
If advanced algorithms and vibration sensors are added for accurate fault detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies self-service by using the main power meter and existing building management system data to automatically perform fault detection and energy disaggregation. The algorithms process available data without requiring additional complex instrumentation or manual configuration, allowing the system to serve its own measurement needs using existing infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces algorithms as an intermediary that bridges the gap between simple main power meter measurements and detailed equipment-level insights. These algorithms process the main power data combined with vibration sensor inputs and equipment operational parameters to produce accurate fault detection and energy consumption estimates without requiring direct complex measurement systems at each equipment point.
3Device complexity
If main power meter data is used for virtual submetering, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of individual equipment power consumption data through algorithmic processing. By analyzing the temporal patterns in main power meter readings combined with equipment operational status and vibration data, the system generates accurate estimates that copy the information that would otherwise require physical submeters to obtain directly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical measurement system (multiple power meters) with an information processing system (algorithms). Instead of using physical sensors at each equipment point to measure power consumption, the system uses computational methods to extract equipment-level data from aggregate measurements, substituting physical measurement infrastructure with information processing capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for fault detection and diagnostics of equipment. The system may also be capable of disaggregation and/or virtual submetering of energy consumption by equipment, such as that of heating, ventilation and air conditioning, lighting, and so forth, in a building. Vibration and current sensors, along with one or more algorithms, may be utilized for fault detection and diagnostics of equipment. Models may be developed to aid in deducing energy consumption of individual components of equipment, and the like, for a building.