Fault diagnostics and prognostics based on distance fault classifiers
First Claim
1. A method of diagnosing at least one system fault comprising the steps of:
- (a) identifying sensors available within a system, wherein identified sensors generate sensor data relating to system operating characteristics;
(b) analyzing the sensor data to identify patterns indicative of at least one failure mode, wherein the sensor data is analyzed under a full-fault condition and under a no-fault condition;
(c) determining a fault relationship based upon identified patterns;
(d) comparing at least one system operating characteristic to the fault relationship to identify a system fault; and
(e) generating at least one fault code indicative of the at least one failure mode when a system fault is identified in step (d).
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to a mathematical approach to detect faults by reconciling known data driven techniques with a physical understanding of the HVAC system and providing a direct linkage between model parameters and physical system quantities to arrive at classification rules that are easy to interpret, calibrate and implement. The fault modes of interest are low system refrigerant charge and air filter plugging. System data from standard sensors is analyzed under no-fault and full-fault conditions. The data is screened to uncover patterns though which the faults of interest manifest in sensor data and the patterns are analyzed and combined with available physical system information to develop an underlying principle that links failures to measured sensor responses. These principles are then translated into online algorithms for failure detection.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of diagnosing at least one system fault comprising the steps of:
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(a) identifying sensors available within a system, wherein identified sensors generate sensor data relating to system operating characteristics; (b) analyzing the sensor data to identify patterns indicative of at least one failure mode, wherein the sensor data is analyzed under a full-fault condition and under a no-fault condition; (c) determining a fault relationship based upon identified patterns; (d) comparing at least one system operating characteristic to the fault relationship to identify a system fault; and (e) generating at least one fault code indicative of the at least one failure mode when a system fault is identified in step (d). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A vapor compression system comprising:
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at least one indoor unit including at least one indoor sensor and at least one indoor valve; at least one outdoor unit in communication with the at least one indoor unit and including at least one outdoor sensor and at least one outdoor valve; a control device for controlling the at least one indoor unit and the at least one outdoor unit, wherein the control device further includes; a controller that collects and interprets data from the at least one indoor sensor and the at least one outdoor sensor and generates at least one fault code based on the data, wherein the at least one fault code is generated based upon analysis of the data under a full-fault condition and under a no-fault condition. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification