Air Source Heat Pump Leak Detection Using Runtime Parameter Scoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air source heat pump systems lack the ability to automatically detect refrigerant leakage, leading to economic losses, maintenance costs, and potential air pollution due to time-consuming manual detection methods.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a controller that monitors running parameters such as compressor rotational speed, water inlet/outlet temperature differences, and expansion valve openings to calculate a cumulative score, triggering an alarm when predetermined thresholds are exceeded, indicating refrigerant leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual detection methods are used to detect refrigerant leakage, then detection can be performed, but it is time and labor consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pump system performs self-detection of refrigerant leakage using its existing sensors and control unit. The system automatically monitors running parameters (compressor current, water inlet/outlet temperatures, ambient temperature) and calculates a cumulative score to determine leakage, eliminating the need for external manual detection and reducing both time and labor requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical detection methods with an automated electronic monitoring system. The control unit processes electrical signals from sensors and uses algorithmic calculation of cumulative scores based on running parameters, substituting human labor and manual inspection with automated electronic detection and computation.
2Reliability
If no automatic detection system is implemented, then the system structure remains simple, but refrigerant leakage cannot be automatically detected
Solution Approach 1:
The existing control unit and sensors in the heat pump system are made multi-functional by programming them to perform both their original control functions and the new refrigerant leakage detection function. The control unit continues to manage compressor operation and temperature control while simultaneously monitoring running parameters for leakage detection, eliminating the need for separate dedicated detection hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own existing components (sensors, control unit, processors) to perform leakage detection without requiring external specialized devices. The heat pump system serves itself by using its operational data for both control and diagnostic purposes, maintaining structural simplicity while adding detection capability.
3Productivity
If refrigerant leakage is not detected promptly, then operational costs are reduced, but economic losses and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of refrigerant leakage by continuously monitoring running parameters and calculating cumulative scores during normal operation. By detecting leakage early through accumulated evidence from multiple parameter checks, the system can alert operators before leakage becomes severe, preventing economic losses and maintenance issues while maintaining operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback monitoring where running parameters (compressor current, temperatures) are constantly measured, compared against expected ranges, and used to update a cumulative score. This feedback loop provides real-time information about system health, enabling timely detection of leakage trends and allowing operators to take corrective action before reliability deteriorates.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for detecting refrigerant leakage in an air source heat pump system. The method for detecting refrigerant leakage in an air source heat pump system includes the following steps in a cooling mode: S110: obtaining a running parameter of an air source heat pump system, wherein the running parameter at least includes a compressor rotational speed; S120: comparing the running parameter with a preset running parameter range; S130: updating a cumulative score when the running parameter falls within the preset running parameter range; and S140: when the cumulative score exceeds a predetermined cumulative score, determining that refrigerant leakage occurs, and when the cumulative score does not exceed the predetermined cumulative score, return to step S110. The apparatus and method for detecting refrigerant leakage in an air source heat pump system according to the present invention have the advantages of being simple and reliable, easy to implement and convenient to use, and can automatically detect refrigerant leakage, thus improving the running efficiency and safety of modules.