Heat Exchanger Control Using Pump Signals to Detect Air Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air conditioning apparatuses face performance deterioration due to air layers in water tubes, which are difficult to accurately detect, leading to reduced water flow rates and pump durability issues, and existing methods rely on separate devices or inaccurate temperature differences.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning apparatus with a controller that analyzes pump output signals to calculate the air layer ratio in water tubes, adjusting the target supercooling or superheating degrees of heat exchangers and controlling water supply valves to maintain optimal operation without additional devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If temperature difference between inlet and outlet water is used to detect air layer, then detection method is simple, but detection accuracy is low due to various variables affecting temperature difference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional temperature-based detection method with a pump output signal-based detection method. The controller analyzes the output signal of the pump (such as current, power consumption, or vibration) to calculate the air layer ratio, substituting thermal measurement with mechanical/electrical signal analysis to achieve more accurate detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the pump output signal as an intermediary parameter to detect air layer formation. Instead of directly measuring temperature difference, the system uses the pump's operational characteristics (current, power, vibration) as a mediator to infer the air layer ratio, providing more accurate and direct detection.
2Device complexity
If air layer forms in water tube, then water flow rate decreases causing performance deterioration, but no separate device is needed to detect it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service detection by using the pump's own output signals to detect air layer formation. The system monitors the pump's current, power consumption, or vibration signals to calculate the air layer ratio, eliminating the need for separate detection devices while maintaining system performance through timely air layer detection and response.
3Reliability
If pump operates with air-water mixture, then pump durability is reduced, but detection requires additional equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex additional detection equipment with analysis of the pump's existing output signals. By monitoring changes in current, power consumption, or vibration patterns, the system can detect air layer formation that threatens pump durability without requiring separate sensors or devices, thus protecting the pump while maintaining system simplicity.
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
Accurately determining air layer ratios allows for continuous normal operation, minimizing performance deterioration and improving reliability by adjusting heat exchanger settings and water supply, thus enhancing cooling and heating performance.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger in which a refrigerant and water are heat-exchanged with each other
Implementation Method 2
heat-exchange between a refrigerant and water
Implementation Method 3
water circulated through the indoor unit and the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 4
a pump installed in the water tube
Implementation Method 5
analyze an output signal of the pump so as to calculate a ration of an air layer in the water tube
Implementation Method 6
control a target supercooling degree or target superheating degree of the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 7
control a target supercooling degree or target superheating degree of the heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an air conditioning apparatus. The air conditioning apparatus includes an outdoor unit which includes a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger and through which a refrigerant is circulated, an indoor unit through which water is circulated, a heat exchanger in which the refrigerant and the water are heat-exchanged with each other, a water tube configured to guide the water circulated through the indoor unit and the heat exchanger, a pump installed in the water tube, and a controller configured to analyze an output signal of the pump so as to calculate a ration of an air layer in the water tube, the controller being configured to control a target supercooling degree or target superheating degree of the heat exchanger according to the calculated ratio of the air layer.