Sensor validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
HVAC systems lack effective tools for reliably validating sensors, leading to potential sensor errors going unreported, which can result in inefficiency and damage to the system.
Innovation Solution
An HVAC system with a controller that determines pre-requisite criteria, such as compressor inactivity, to enter a sensor-validation mode, operating the compressor at maximum capacity for a minimum time, and comparing initial and current sensor measurements to validate sensor reliability, with multi-level validation checks to reduce false positives and negatives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors are used to monitor system performance and detect faults, then system reliability is improved, but the ability to validate sensor accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing pre-requisite criteria (compressor inactivity period) before entering sensor validation mode. This ensures the compressor has been inactive for at least a minimum time, creating stable initial conditions for accurate sensor measurement comparison and validation
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously comparing current sensor measurements with historical baseline measurements. The controller determines whether validation criteria are satisfied based on this comparison, and provides feedback by determining sensor validation status, which can trigger alerts or corrective actions
2Productivity
If the compressor is operated at maximum capacity during validation, then validation speed is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by operating the compressor at maximum capacity only for a limited minimum time period during validation mode, then returning to normal operation. This temporary high-power operation is justified by the improved validation speed and reliability it provides
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary checks of pre-requisite criteria before initiating maximum capacity operation, ensuring all conditions are met (compressor inactivity period, etc.). This prevents unnecessary high-energy operations and ensures validation only occurs when appropriate
3Measurement precision
If multi-level validation checks are implemented, then validation accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The validation system is segmented into distinct functional components: pre-requisite criterion checking, initial measurement determination, maximum capacity operation execution, current measurement determination, and validation criterion evaluation. This segmentation manages complexity by organizing the multi-level validation process into manageable, independent steps
Data Source
AI summary
An HVAC system includes a compressor, condenser, and evaporator. A sensor measures a value associated with the refrigerant in the condenser or the evaporator, and a controller is communicatively coupled to the compressor and the sensor. The controller determines, based on an operational history the compressor, that pre-requisite criteria are satisfied for entering a sensor validation mode. After determining the pre-requisite criteria are satisfied, an initial sensor measurement value is determined. Following determining the initial sensor measurement value, the compressor is operated according to a sensor-validation mode. Following operating the compressor according to the sensor-validation mode for at least a minimum time, a current sensor measurement value is determined. The controller determines whether validation criteria are satisfied for the current sensor value. In response to determining that the validation criteria are satisfied, the controller determines that the sensor is validated.