Refrigerant Leak Sensor Adjustment for Drift and Ambient Conditions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigeration systems using mildly flammable refrigerants face challenges in accurately detecting leaks due to measurement drift over time and variations caused by ambient conditions, which can lead to inaccurate detection and reduced sensor lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerant measurement adjustment system that accounts for air temperature, pressure, humidity, mode of operation, and blower status to adjust measurements, incorporating an end-of-life module to determine when the sensor's accuracy declines, thereby enhancing detection accuracy and extending sensor lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If refrigerant leak sensor measurements are used without adjustment, then the detection system is simple, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to drift and ambient conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the sensor measurements based on ambient conditions (temperature, pressure, humidity) and operational parameters (blower status, mode of operation). The adjustment module modifies the raw sensor readings by applying correction factors derived from these parameters, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy without requiring a completely new sensor design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through the adjustment module that continuously monitors ambient conditions and sensor drift, then applies real-time corrections to the measurements. The end-of-life module also provides feedback by detecting when the sensor has drifted beyond acceptable thresholds, triggering replacement alerts. This closed-loop feedback mechanism maintains accuracy while managing system complexity.
2Reliability
If sensor measurements are adjusted for ambient conditions and drift, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the complexity management by separating the adjustment functionality into a distinct adjustment module that operates independently from the sensor hardware. The end-of-life module is another separate component that handles sensor health monitoring. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently and simplifies maintenance and replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment module acts as an intermediary between the raw sensor measurements and the final leak detection determination. It mediates the effect of ambient conditions and sensor drift by applying correction algorithms, thereby protecting the overall system reliability without requiring changes to the sensor hardware itself.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor operates in varying ambient conditions, then the system is adaptable, but measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system explicitly accounts for parameter changes in ambient conditions (temperature, pressure, humidity) by incorporating these as input parameters to the adjustment module. The module applies correction factors based on these changing parameters, allowing the system to maintain measurement accuracy across varying environmental conditions without sacrificing adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement adjustment system is dynamic, continuously adapting to changing ambient conditions and sensor drift characteristics. The adjustment factors are not fixed but are dynamically calculated based on real-time measurements of temperature, pressure, humidity, and blower status, enabling the system to maintain accuracy throughout its operational lifecycle.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If sensor drift is not monitored, then the system is simpler, but the sensor lifespan and accuracy are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The end-of-life module performs preliminary monitoring of sensor drift trends to predict when the sensor will reach the end of its useful life. By continuously tracking measurement changes over time and comparing against threshold criteria, the system can proactively alert users to replace the sensor before it fails, thereby extending the effective operational lifespan and maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The end-of-life module provides continuous feedback on sensor health by monitoring drift patterns and comparing them against acceptable thresholds. This feedback mechanism enables proactive sensor replacement scheduling, extending the useful life of the sensor by ensuring it operates within accurate parameters throughout its lifecycle.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerant measurement adjustment system includes: a refrigerant sensor for a building and configured to measure an amount of refrigerant present in air outside of a refrigeration system of the building; and an adjustment module configured to: adjust the amount of refrigerant measured based on an adjustment to produce an adjusted amount; and determine the adjustment based on at least one of: an air temperature; an air pressure; a relative humidity of air; a mode of operation of the refrigeration system; a change in the measurements of the refrigerant sensor over time; and whether a blower that blows air across a heat exchanger of the refrigeration system located within the building is on.