Steady-State Data Detection for Refrigerant Leak and Fault Diagnosis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for analyzing air source air conditioner operation states struggle to accurately determine steady-state data, leading to potential false determinations of refrigerant leaks and system inefficiencies, as data collected during state changes is not suitable for analysis.

Innovation Solution

A data processing method that resets cumulative changes and detection periods, obtaining and comparing target data to preset thresholds, adjusting detection periods, and determining data as steady-state or unsteady-state based on these conditions, allowing for real-time monitoring and analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If data is collected during operation state changes, then data collection frequency is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to false determination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata collection frequencyVSAvoidrefrigerant leak detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring operation state parameters (compressor status, fan speed, valve positions) before data collection to determine whether the air conditioner is in a steady state. This preliminary assessment prevents collection of unreliable data during transitions, resolving the contradiction between collection frequency and precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts data collection based on real-time operation state assessment. Instead of fixed-frequency collection, it adaptively collects data only when steady-state conditions are detected, optimizing both collection efficiency and accuracy by responding to changing system conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If data is collected during steady operation state, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to waiting for steady state

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefrigerant leak detection accuracyVSAvoiddata detection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements continuous feedback monitoring of operation state parameters to detect when steady-state conditions are achieved. This feedback mechanism triggers data collection automatically upon steady-state detection, minimizing waiting time while ensuring measurement precision through condition-based timing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own operational parameters (compressor frequency, fan speed, valve positions) as feedback signals to self-determine when steady-state conditions exist. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external timing mechanisms and optimizes data collection timing based on actual system behavior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If operation state changes are monitored continuously, then reliability of detection is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteady-state data accuracyVSAvoiddata processing energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial monitoring by selectively assessing only critical operation state parameters (compressor on/off status, fan speed, expansion valve position) rather than continuously analyzing all possible system variables. This partial assessment maintains detection reliability while significantly reducing computational energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS10941956B2Data processing method, refrigerant leakage detection method, system failure detection method and system performance detection method
Publication Date: 2021.03.09 CARRIER CORP
  • US10941956B2 patent drawing
  • US10941956B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A steady-state data processing method includes resetting a cumulative change of target determination data and a data detection period as 0; obtaining the detected target data; calculating the cumulative change of the target data. When the calculated cumulative change of the target data is less than a preset threshold, adjusting the data detection period, or when the calculated cumulative change of the target data is not less than the preset threshold, recording a data detection period. When the recorded data detection period is less than a preset time threshold, determining a target data result obtained in the period as unsteady-state data of the device; or when the recorded data detection period is not less than the preset time threshold, determining the target data obtained in the data detection period as steady-state data.