Web-based, plug and play wireless remote monitoring diagnostic and system health prediction system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional remote monitoring systems for vapor-compression air conditioning and heat pump systems are costly and inefficient, as they require expensive sensors and labor-intensive installation, making it difficult to detect degraded performance before equipment failure, leading to increased energy consumption and potential system damage.
Innovation Solution
A low-cost monitoring system using only three temperature sensors, a current sensor, and voltage sensors mounted on the outdoor condensing unit, which measures compressor discharge and condenser outlet temperatures, along with outdoor air temperature, to predict equipment failures and inefficiencies without the need for pressure transducers or flow meters, allowing for remote diagnosis and maintenance scheduling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional remote monitoring systems use expensive sensors and complex installation methods, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential monitoring function from complex sensor systems and implements it using simple temperature sensors combined with thermodynamic modeling. Instead of using expensive pressure and flow sensors, the system extracts only temperature data and uses mathematical models to derive other system parameters, thereby achieving accurate monitoring with minimal hardware complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical sensor systems (pressure transducers, flow meters) with a computational approach using temperature measurements and thermodynamic equations. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical sensing hardware while maintaining measurement precision through mathematical modeling of refrigerant behavior
2Measurement precision
If conventional systems use pressure transducers and flow meters, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only temperature measurements from the monitoring process and uses thermodynamic relationships to calculate pressure, flow rate, and other refrigerant parameters. This extraction approach eliminates the need to install complex pressure and flow sensing hardware, making the system easier to manufacture and install while maintaining measurement precision through computational methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual model of the refrigerant system using thermodynamic equations that copy the behavior of the physical system. By measuring temperature and using the thermodynamic model to calculate other parameters, the system achieves accurate monitoring without physical pressure and flow sensors, simplifying installation
3Reliability
If monitoring systems detect degraded performance early, then system reliability is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the monitoring approach from directly measuring multiple parameters (pressure, flow, temperature) to measuring temperature and using thermodynamic relationships to derive other parameters. This parameter transformation allows early detection of system degradation through temperature trends while using standard temperature sensor precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous monitoring of temperature parameters and compares actual values against expected thermodynamic relationships. When deviations occur, the system provides feedback indicating potential degradation, enabling early detection and maintenance scheduling before failures occur
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
The system effectively identifies common mechanical and electrical issues, such as low refrigerant charge and airflow restrictions, enabling early detection of performance degradation, reducing energy waste, and preventing costly failures, while simplifying installation and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
measures compressor discharge and condenser outlet temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
A diagnostic monitoring system and method is employed for one or more vapor compression systems such as air conditioners and heat pumps having a compressor, an indoor air handler fan coil and an outdoor condensor. Temperature, voltage and current sensors are provided at the outdoor condensor to determine that at least one vapor compression system is operating properly. Data obtained from the sensors is wirelessly transmitted to a receiving-device for use by the systems' custodian or repair service provider and includes information concerning an occurrence of periods when one or more of the vapor compression systems are operating at an abnormal state.