Refrigerant compressor system
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerant compressor systems face significant operational reliability issues, leading to potential financial and product damage due to failures, especially in large refrigeration systems where downtime can result in considerable losses.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a redundant system with multiple input/output units and central processor units connected via a bus system, along with redundant sensors and actuators, allows for continuous operation even in case of failures, enabling seamless switching and monitoring to prevent total system failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single central processing unit and input/output unit are used, then the device complexity is low, but the operational reliability deteriorates due to potential system failures
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is segmented into multiple independent central processing units (first CPU and second CPU) and multiple input/output units. Each CPU can independently control the refrigerant compressor system, and each I/O unit can independently communicate with sensors and actuators. This segmentation ensures that if one CPU or I/O unit fails, the other units can continue to operate the system, thereby improving operational reliability without requiring a complete system redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a redundant configuration where the second central processing unit and second input/output unit serve as backup components. The system is designed with beforehand cushioning by pre-configuring alternative control paths and communication channels that can be activated immediately upon detecting a failure in the primary CPU or I/O unit, ensuring continuous operation and preventing total system failure
2Reliability
If multiple input/output units and central processing units are assigned to the bus system, then the operational reliability improves through redundancy, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is segmented into multiple independent central processing units (first CPU and second CPU) and multiple input/output units. Each CPU can independently control the refrigerant compressor system, and each I/O unit can independently communicate with sensors and actuators. This segmentation ensures that if one CPU or I/O unit fails, the other units can continue to operate the system, thereby improving operational reliability without requiring a complete system redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The second central processing unit and second input/output unit are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as primary operational components and as backup redundant components. The same hardware architecture is used for both primary and backup units, allowing them to interchange roles depending on operational status. This universality reduces the need for specialized backup components and simplifies the overall system design while maintaining reliability
3Loss of information
If sensors are connected to multiple input/output units simultaneously, then the loss of information is minimized during failures, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor network is segmented and distributed across multiple input/output units, with each sensor connected to at least two different I/O units. This segmentation ensures that sensor data can be accessed through alternative I/O units if one unit fails, preventing information loss and maintaining continuous monitoring capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a copying mechanism where sensor data is simultaneously transmitted to and stored by multiple input/output units. Each I/O unit maintains a copy of the sensor data it receives, creating redundant data pathways. This copying approach ensures that if one I/O unit fails, the sensor information is still available through other units that have received and stored the same data
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The problem addressed by the invention is that of improving the operating reliability of a refrigerant compressor system comprising a first refrigerant line that conducts expanded refrigerant, a second refrigerant line that conducts compressed refrigerant, at least one refrigerant compressor, which is arranged between the first and the second refrigerant lines and which is driven by a motor, and a control unit for operating the refrigerant compressor system. This problem is solved in that the control unit has a first central processor unit and at least one input/output unit for control variables that communicates with the first central processor unit, and that a second central processor unit is associated with the first central processor unit, which second central processor unit takes over the control functions for controlling the refrigerant compressor system if the first central processor unit fails.