Variable refrigerant flow system with automatic sensor data correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing VRF systems face inaccuracies in temperature sensing due to imprecise sensors, which can be costly to replace, affecting heating and cooling efficiency and occupant comfort.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a controller that applies a time window and timing weights to sensor data to generate corrected data points, creating a virtual sensor with higher resolution, allowing for improved control of the VRF system without requiring new sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If new sensors are installed throughout the building to improve measurement accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual sensor that replicates the function of a physical sensor by processing existing sensor data through filtering and interpolation algorithms. This virtual copy provides higher resolution temperature measurements without requiring additional physical sensors to be installed throughout the building, thus improving measurement precision while avoiding increased device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for additional physical sensing hardware with a computational system that uses software-based filtering and interpolation. Instead of installing more physical sensors, the system substitutes mechanical/sensor-based measurement with algorithm-based data processing, achieving enhanced measurement precision through computational methods rather than additional physical components.
2Device complexity
If existing sensors are used without correction, then device complexity is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-correction by processing its own sensor data through filtering and interpolation algorithms. The virtual sensor uses the existing sensor measurements and applies computational corrections to compensate for sensor inaccuracies, allowing the system to self-improve measurement precision without external intervention or additional hardware, thus maintaining device complexity while improving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the virtual sensor continuously processes and refines temperature measurements based on historical sensor data. By applying filtering and interpolation algorithms to past and present sensor readings, the system creates a feedback loop that progressively improves measurement accuracy, compensating for sensor imperfections while maintaining the existing sensor infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system includes applying a time window to sensor data associated with the VRF system, the sensor data including input data points and having a first resolution, wherein applying the time window to the sensor data isolates a subset of the input data points; applying a timing weight to one or more input data points in the subset of the input data points to generate corrected data points having a second resolution higher than the first resolution; creating a virtual sensor and mapping the corrected data points to an output of the virtual sensor; and controlling the VRF system based on an output of the virtual sensor. The use of virtual sensors with a higher resolution than corresponding physical sensors in this manner allows for existing physical sensors to be used while improving performance of the VRF system.