Heat Source Water Feed Detection Without a Flowmeter
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing heat source systems require expensive flowmeters to determine if water is being normally fed by the primary pump, which increases installation costs and is impractical for larger systems.
Innovation Solution
A heat source apparatus with a control unit that determines normal water feed by calculating the temperature difference or pressure difference between the inlet and outlet of the water heat exchanger, allowing the refrigeration cycle to operate only when water feed is confirmed, eliminating the need for a flowmeter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flowmeter is installed to detect water feed status, then reliability of water feed detection is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical flowmeter with a control device that uses electrical sensors (temperature sensors or pressure sensors) to detect water feed status. The control device calculates temperature difference or pressure difference to determine whether water is being fed normally, substituting mechanical measurement with electrical sensing and computational logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces temperature difference or pressure difference as an intermediary parameter to indirectly detect water feed status. Instead of directly measuring water flow with a flowmeter, the system uses the relationship between temperature/pressure changes and water flow to infer feed status, making the detection system simpler and cheaper.
2Reliability
If a flowmeter is installed to detect water feed status, then reliability of water feed detection is improved, but installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive flowmeters with cheaper temperature sensors or pressure sensors that can be easily manufactured and installed. These sensors are less costly than flowmeters while still providing reliable water feed detection through computational methods in the control device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical flowmeter with a control device that uses electrical sensors (temperature sensors or pressure sensors) to detect water feed status. The control device calculates temperature difference or pressure difference to determine whether water is being fed normally, substituting mechanical measurement with electrical sensing and computational logic.
3Productivity
If the refrigeration cycle operates without confirming water feed, then productivity is improved, but the water heat exchanger may freeze or burst
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary detection of water feed status using temperature difference or pressure difference calculation before allowing the refrigeration cycle to operate. The control device checks whether water is being fed normally through the water heat exchanger, and only permits refrigeration cycle operation when water feed is confirmed, preventing freezing or bursting while enabling quick system startup.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control device continuously monitors water feed status through temperature sensors or pressure sensors, and adjusts refrigeration cycle operation accordingly. When water feed is abnormal, the system automatically stops or prevents refrigeration cycle operation, providing real-time protection against heat exchanger damage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces installation costs by avoiding the need for flowmeters and prevents the water heat exchanger from freezing or bursting by accurately determining water feed without them.
Implementation Method 1
a water heat exchanger that exchanges heat between heat source water and a refrigerant circulating through a refrigeration cycle
Implementation Method 2
determine, after the primary pump is activated, whether or not the heat source water is normally fed by the primary pump based on a temperature difference between the heat source water before and after the water heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
determine, after the primary pump is activated, whether or not the heat source water is normally fed by the primary pump based on a pressure difference between the heat source water before and after the water heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
A heat source apparatus of a heat source system made up of a heat source machine side and a load facility side includes a heat source machine, and a heat source controller, wherein the heat source machine includes: a water heat exchanger that exchanges heat between heat source water and a refrigerant circulating through a refrigeration cycle; a primary pump that delivers heat source water to the water heat exchanger; and a heat source machine control device that operates based on information from the water heat exchanger and the primary pump, and wherein the heat source controller is connected to the heat source machine control device on a heat source side and to the load facility side so as to determine, after the primary pump is activated, whether or not the heat source water is normally fed by the primary pump based on a temperature difference between the heat source water before and after the water heat exchanger or a pressure difference between the heat source water before and after the water heat exchanger, and so as to then operate the refrigeration cycle after water feed is confirmed through water feed determination.