Patent · US Active

Method of automatically detecting an anomalous condition relative to a nominal operating condition in a vapor compression system

US8800309B2 · kind B2 · utility

9Cited by
11References
29Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 14, 2009
Grant dateAug 12, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 26, 2033

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF25B2700/21173
  • WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method of automatically detecting an anomalous condition relative to a nominal operating condition in a vapor compression system. An expected input power function in the form of a hyperplane is calculated based on three temperature readings: an intake temperature from an intake area of the condenser unit, a return temperature from an intake area of an evaporator unit, and a supply temperature from a supply output area of the evaporator unit. The function produces an estimate of the expected input power consumed by the compressor unit, and this expected input power is compared with an actual input power measured from the compressor unit. If the expected input power deviates from the measured input power by more than a predetermined tolerance, an indication is stored and communicated that an anomalous condition, such as a refrigerant loss, condenser unit fouling, or a malfunctioning fan, exists in the vapor compression system.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.