Method for configuring setpoints for a vapour compression system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large vapour compression systems face complexity in configuring operating setpoints, leading to conflicts and reduced user flexibility due to the need for manual configuration, which can be cumbersome and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A method that divides operating setpoints into manually and automatically generated groups, with a setpoint manager ensuring compliance with predefined rules, adjusting setpoints as necessary to prevent conflicts and ensure appropriate system operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If operating setpoints are configured manually for large vapour compression systems, then user flexibility is improved, but the complexity and time required for configuration increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the configuration process into two distinct groups: manually configurable setpoints (first group) and automatically generated setpoints (second group). This segmentation allows users to directly configure only the critical setpoints they need control over, while the system automatically handles the remaining setpoints based on rules and relationships, thereby reducing configuration complexity while preserving user flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If operating setpoints are configured manually for large vapour compression systems, then user flexibility is improved, but the risk of conflicts between setpoints increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the setpoint manager continuously monitors manually configured setpoints against predefined rules and relationships. When conflicts are detected between manually configured setpoints or between manual and automatic setpoints, the system provides feedback to alert the user and prevent erroneous configurations, thereby maintaining reliability while allowing user flexibility.
3Reliability
If operating setpoints are configured automatically, then the risk of conflicts is minimized, but user flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The configuration system is segmented into two groups: automatically generated setpoints for routine parameters and manually configurable setpoints for critical parameters requiring user control. This segmentation enables the system to maintain high reliability through automatic generation while preserving user flexibility for important decisions, resolving the contradiction between automation and user control.
4Adaptability or versatility
If all operating setpoints are configured manually, then user freedom is maximized, but the time required for configuration becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary automatic generation of operating setpoints based on predefined rules, system characteristics, and operational parameters. This preliminary action provides a ready-to-use configuration that significantly reduces the time required for setup, while users retain the freedom to manually adjust specific setpoints in the first group if needed, thus balancing user freedom with time efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for configuring a plurality of operating setpoints for a vapour compression system (1) is disclosed. The plurality of operating setpoints are divided into a first group (12) of operating setpoints to be generated manually and a second group (13) of operating setpoints to be generated automatically, and the operating setpoints are operated in accordance therewith. The manually generated operating setpoints (12) and the automatically generated operating setpoints (13) are provided to a setpoint manager (11), and the setpoint manager (11) checks if the provided operating setpoints (12, 13) are in compliance with a set of rules. In the case that at least some of the provided operating setpoints (12, 13) are not in compliance with the set of rules, the setpoint manager (11) adjusts at least some of the provided operating setpoints (12, 13) in accordance with the set of rules, thereby obtaining an adjusted set of operating setpoints. The vapour compression system (1) is subsequently controlled in accordance with the adjusted set of operating setpoints.