Patent Description:
Electric power meters are commonly used to measure power consumption of air-conditioning systems or heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. However, where it is not possible to obtain power meter measurements, estimation of power metering may be used to inform users about system efficiency or providing energy management functions such as offgrid power supply management, battery management and tenant billing in distributed applications.

Various methods have been proposed to estimate power consumption of air-conditioning systems or units. One example uses one or more predefined power consumption lookup tables of HVAC running parameters that are based on laboratory test results. The running parameters are then used for choosing an approximate consumption value from a lookup table. <CIT> discloses, in the context of determining the power utilization of an air-conditioner, the construction of a look-up table based on running parameters from both indoor and outdoor units.

Another example is the use of technical specification sheets associated with components such as compressor, fan motor, printed-circuit boards to predefine power consumption tables on component nominal running condition (i.e. compressor or fan motor running frequency / RPM information) to estimate approximate power consumption value. Such method is used for compact HVAC systems where the component behaviors are predictable or limited.

Another example uses the calculation of cooling/heating capacity and then calculating real-time power consumption of electricity consuming components such as compressor, fan motor, etc. by assuming operating conditions running at steady state.

Another example uses power circuit running conditions together with outdoor air temperature sensor to estimate approximate inverter power supply to motor, compressor and any other parts (i.e. heat sink).

Existing methods for estimating electrical power of air-conditioning system may not take into account actual field installation, varying operating conditions, aging of components, heat losses over time, faulty measurement devices, etc..

There exists a need for an improved method and system to alleviate at least one of the aforementioned problem(s).

The disclosure aims to minimize error of power estimation that is related with installation and/or running conditions of air-conditioning systems, such as HVAC system. A power meter may be used periodically to adjust or calibrate an estimation lookup table generated in the beginning of first running and then periodically during servicing or maintenance phases along the product lifecycle in the field. The generated lookup table may also be used to extrapolate/interpolate missing gaps in power meter readings, and may be used as a counter-check of the accuracy of the power meter in case an unacceptable deviation is detected.

According to the present disclosure there is a method for estimating electrical power consumption of an air-conditioning system according to claim <NUM>. An air-conditioning system having incorporating an estimation of electrical power consumption is provided in claim <NUM>. A computer program comprising instructions to execute the method is defined in claim <NUM>.

The dependent claims define some examples associated with the method and air-conditioning system.

The disclosure will be better understood with reference to the detailed description when considered in conjunction with the non-limiting examples and the accompanying drawings, in which:.

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings that show, by way of illustration, specific details and embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and structural, and logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The various embodiments are not necessarily mutually exclusive, as some embodiments can be combined with one or more other embodiments to form new embodiments.

The disclosure illustratively described herein may suitably be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitations, not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, for example, the terms "comprising", "including," containing", etc. shall be read expansively and without limitation. The word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" will accordingly be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or groups of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. Additionally, the terms and expressions employed herein have been used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the disclosure. Thus, it should be understood that although the present disclosure has been specifically described in exemplary embodiments and optional features, modification and variation of the disclosure embodied herein may be resorted to by those skilled in the art.

Features that are described in the context of an embodiment may correspondingly be applicable to the same or similar features in the other embodiments. Features that are described in the context of an embodiment may correspondingly be applicable to the other embodiments, even if not explicitly described in these other embodiments. Furthermore, additions and/or combinations and/or alternatives as described for a feature in the context of an embodiment may correspondingly be applicable to the same or similar feature in the other embodiments.

In the context of various embodiments, the articles "a", "an" and "the" as used with regard to a feature or element include a reference to one or more of the features or elements.

Throughout the description, the term "air-conditioning system", as used herein, may broadly refer to a system for providing temperature regulation and/or ventilation within an enclosed area, such as an enclosed room. It is contemplated that the term 'air-conditioning' includes at least one of heating, cooling, ventilating, humidifying, dehumidifying. The term 'multi-part air-conditioning system' includes at least an outdoor unit and at least one indoor unit, the at least one indoor unit used to regulate the temperature of an enclosed area. Multi-part air-conditioning system may include Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems. A VRF system may comprise one or more outdoor units and a plurality of indoor units that are connected using piping system, typically copper piping system, to the outdoor unit(s). VRF systems use electricity to run one or more compressors that are part of the outdoor units, to pressurize a refrigerant gas, which may be flowing between the indoor units and outdoor unit.

In VRF systems, one or more indoor units (IDUs) may be providing cooling capacity, corresponding to refrigerant flowing at a relatively low-pressure level, while other indoor unit(s) may be providing heating capacity, corresponding to refrigerant flowing at a relatively high-pressure level. Transition from a higherpressure level to a lower-pressure level may occur at the expansion valves, while the compressor is responsible for the refrigerant gas pressurization. Pressure sensors and temperature sensors may be placed at different points within the cycle to provide the necessary information as inputs to a central controller.

Throughout the description, the term "enclosed area", as used herein, may refer to a space between a floor and a ceiling that is enclosed on at least one side by solid walls or windows. For example, the enclosed area may be a part of or a division of a building enclosed by walls, floor, and ceiling, i.e. such as a room which may be enclosed on all sides. As a further example, the enclosed area may be enclosed on two or three sides, and may include enclosed areas such as a warehouse or a hangar.

Throughout the description, the term "running time", as used herein, may refer to a quantitative measure of the time interval during which the air-conditioning system is in a deployed operating state or condition after installation. This is contrasted to a laboratory testing condition which is referred to as "testing time".

Throughout the description, the term "processor", as used herein, may refer to one or more integrated circuit(s) operable to control one or more indoor units of the air-conditioning system. The processer may be a circuit and may include analog circuits or components, digital circuits or components, or hybrid circuits or components. Any other kind of implementation of the respective functions which will be described in more detail below may also be understood as a "circuit" in accordance with an alternative embodiment. A digital circuit may be understood as any kind of a logic implementing entity, which may be special purpose circuitry or a processor executing software stored in a memory, firmware, or any combination thereof. Thus, in various embodiments, a "circuit" may be a digital circuit, e.g. a hard-wired logic circuit or a programmable logic circuit such as a programmable processor, e.g. a microprocessor (e.g. a Complex Instruction Set Computer (CISC) processor or a Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) processor). A "circuit" may also include a processor executing software, e.g. any kind of computer program, e.g. a computer program using a virtual machine code such as e.g. Java.

<FIG> shows an exemplary schematic illustration of an air-conditioning system <NUM>. The air-conditioning system <NUM> may be a VRF system having a central controller <NUM>, an outdoor unit <NUM>, a plurality of indoor units <NUM>. A power meter <NUM> may be arranged to obtain data measurements relating to the outdoor unit <NUM> and/or indoor units <NUM> and is arranged in signal or data communication with the central controller <NUM> to provide power consumption data thereto. The power meter <NUM> may be physically or remotely connected to the VRF system.

The central controller <NUM> may comprise at least one processor and input/output interface for receiving and transmitting data relating to the operation of the outdoor unit and/or indoor units.

The outdoor unit <NUM> may be a compressor unit configured to receive control signal from the central controller <NUM> and send operational or running sensor data to the central controller <NUM>. The central controller <NUM> is also configured to direct refrigerant to each of the indoor unit(s) <NUM> to achieve the desired heat exchanging functions.

The indoor unit <NUM> may comprise ceiling mounted cassette type units and/or wall mounted indoor units.

The power meter <NUM> may include an intelligent power meter having wireless transmission capabilities.

2A is a flow chart illustrating the method <NUM> for estimating electrical power consumption of an air-conditioning system, such as the air-conditioning system <NUM> having a compressor and a plurality of indoor units (IDUs). The method <NUM> may comprise the steps of:.

Step S202: reading each IDU's running parameters such as operating pressures, expansion valve opening in percentage or opening pulse value, set temperature in degree Celsius or degree Fahrenheit, and temperature of the return air in degree Celsius or degree Fahrenheit. The IDU running parameters may be obtained via sensors attached or connected at least one of the IDUs. The sensors may include temperature sensors, pressure sensors, and/or one or more sensors incorporated as part of the expansion valves, for example an electronic expansion valve.

Step S204: reading the outdoor unit (ODU) running parameters, including the outdoor temperature surrounding the ODU. The outdoor temperature readings may be obtained from one or more temperature sensors positioned around or in the vicinity of the ODU.

Step S206: reading the power meter data, which may be in the form of kilowatts (kW).

Step S208: calculating each IDU's capacity parameter. The capacity parameter may also be referred to as a CapNeed value and the sum of all CapNeed values may be referred to as a total CapNeed of all IDUs. In some embodiments, the calculation of the CapNeed parameter for each IDU may include the use of a comprehensive energy distribution algorithm to calculate the capacity (heating or cooling) generated by each indoor unit (IDU) of a VRF system, of both standard (<NUM>-pipe) and heat recovery type (<NUM>-pipe), to accurately estimate the ratio of outdoor unit (ODU) energy consumption associated with each IDU.

Step S210: creating a power estimation lookup table. The lookup table may be in the form of a database having entries correlating the power meter data with the CapNeed value(s) of the IDUs with the outdoor parameters of the ODU.

Step S212: where the power meter is a temporary installation, update the lookup table created in step S210 as and when required (ad hoc), or in accordance with a maintenance schedule.

Step S214: estimate the power consumption for any power meter data loss or temporary installation meter use case based on updated total CapNeed of all IDUs and the outdoor parameter.

In some embodiments, steps S202 to S210 may be associated with a first installation state of the air-conditioning system, and steps S212 and S214 may be associated with a maintenance or servicing state. Such maintenance state may be ad-hoc or scheduled.

The power meter <NUM> may be a power meter permanently connected to the air-conditioning system <NUM>, or may be a temporary power meter connected to the air-conditioning system <NUM> whenever required for maintenance or servicing.

In an example where the power meter is permanently connected, the lookup table may be used as an estimator in case of data interruption or loss arising for faulty connections or faulty meters in operation. In such an example, the lookup table may be used to interpolate or extrapolate the missing values, for example the CapNeed or outdoor temperature values. In addition, the power meter may also be used for periodic calibration or update of the lookup table to account for improper installation of either one of the IDU or ODU, recent operating conditions and wear and tear and aging equipment that may result through extended operation.

In an example where the power meter is temporarily connected during maintenance or operation, the power meter may be used to re-calibrate the lookup table to account for recent operating conditions as well as wear and tear, aging equipment that may result through extended operation.

In some embodiments, the method <NUM> may be executed by the central controller <NUM>. In this regard, the central controller <NUM> may include one or more computers installed with a computer program comprising instructions which, when the computer program is executed by the one or more computers, cause the one or more computers to execute the method <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an example of a lookup table <NUM>. It is contemplated that the lookup table may be implemented in the form of a computer database. The lookup table <NUM> is organized in the form of correlation between sum of CapNeed for all indoor units, for example <NUM> indoor units, as shown in column <NUM>, the temperature surrounding the ODU (also known as the outdoor temperature) as shown in column <NUM>, and the power consumption shown in column <NUM>. The lookup table <NUM> is initially generated after first installation and the power consumption entries populated using a power meter connected to the air-conditioning system. The power consumption entries may be updated or revised during every maintenance or servicing cycle, where a power meter is utilized for re-calibration or cross-checking.

In some embodiments, the capacity parameter in the form of a CapNeed function to calculate required/needed capacity of each indoor unit may be expressed as follows: <MAT> (<NUM>) where the indoor unit nominal capacity may be obtained from technical specifications or datasheet. The expansion valve opening value may be expressed as a percentage, the delta T temperature value may be a temperature difference between the return air temperature and the set temperature.

As an example, the following parameters may be used.

In some embodiments as shown in <FIG>, the method for building a power estimation lookup table includes the steps of:.

Step S402- recording physical power meter data. The power meter data may be obtained every few seconds, every few minutes, or other intervals as predetermined.

Step S404- running VRF system under accelerated running conditions. The VRF system may be configured to run at minimum (i.e. one IDU corresponding to the lowest power consumption unit), followed by <NUM>% of all IDUs, and then <NUM>% of all IDUs. For example, in an air-conditioning system having four IDUs and one ODU, the IDUs with the smallest power capacity will be set to run for a first predetermined period, followed by two IDUs for a second pre-determined period, three IDUs for a first pre-determined period, and all four IDUs for a fourth pre-determined period. In some embodiments, two or more of the aforementioned pre-determined periods may be the same.

Step S406- recording the IDU data necessary to calculate the CapNeed value associated with each IDU, while running under accelerated conditions. The CapNeed value may be calculated based on Equation (<NUM>).

Step S408- The CapNeed value is calculated based on each indoor unit's nominal capacity, expansion valve opening value, room temperature and evaporator temperature, so the actual load of each indoor unit will be calculated and translated to indoor unit capacity factor. Sum of all indoor unit's capacity factor will be the total CapNeed value.

Step S410- The corresponding outdoor ambient temperature under accelerated running conditions is also recorded obtained every few seconds, every few minutes, or other intervals as pre-determined.

Step S412- Update estimation lookup table periodically once power meter is integrated/installed again, check any deviation or drift of previous version of lookup table. In some embodiments, the deviation or drift may be accompanied by one or more notifications or alarm.

It is appreciable steps S406 and S408 may be performed concurrently, and/or their order may be reversed.

In embodiments where the power meter is permanently installed, the recording of power consumption measurements may be used to update the estimation lookup table periodically based on the total CapNeed value and outdoor ambient temperature.

In case data acquisition loss associated with the power meter is detected, historical records, for example, a past week data, may be used to estimate the current loss power metering values based on finding a match between a total CapNeed value and outdoor ambient temperature conditions. If no matching CapNeed value was found, then interpolation, extrapolation or other statistical methods may be used to generate an estimated CapNeed value with the corresponding power consumption value. It is appreciated that the detection of data acquisition loss may be triggered by an interruption of data logging, any out of range data or abnormal readings, or the absence of heartbeat signals configured to be sent by the power meter to the central controller periodically. In some embodiments, if the missing power meter value is below a predetermined time frame, for example, not longer than one hour, the above historical records may be used.

In some embodiments, additional running parameters of one or more indoor units may be obtained and/or calculated. The running parameters may include pressure levels calculation, mass flow rate distribution, enthalpy calculation and capacity calculation and distribution.

<FIG> shows a generic flow chart of a method <NUM> for estimating electrical power consumption of an air-conditioning system having at least one IDU and at least one ODU. It is envisaged the method <NUM> may be applied to different types of air-conditioning systems.

Step S502- receiving a first set of running parameters from one or more indoor units (IDU) of the air-conditioning system;.

Step S504- receiving a second set of running parameters from an outdoor unit of the air-conditioning system;.

Step S506- calculating a capacity parameter for the indoor unit based on the first set of running parameters;.

Step S508- obtaining readings from a power meter associated with the air-conditioning system;.

Step S510- deriving a lookup table based on the capacity parameter, the second set of running parameters, and the readings from the power meter; and.

Step S512- updating the power consumption readings in the lookup table based on readings obtained from the power meter.

It is envisaged steps S502 to S5510 may be performed at a first installation of the air-conditioning system to generate a lookup table, and step S512 may be performed at a state after the first installation, such state may correspond to maintenance or servicing state triggered by a pre-determined schedule or ondemand.

It is appreciable steps S502, S504 and S508 may be performed concurrently. Alternatively, the order of steps may be changed. For example, step S508 may be performed before steps S502 and/or S504.

Claim 1:
A method (<NUM>) for estimating electrical power consumption of an air-conditioning system comprising the steps of:
at a first installation of the air-conditioning system:
(a.) receiving a first set of running parameters from an indoor unit of the air-conditioning system (S502);
(b.) receiving a second set of running parameters from an outdoor unit of the air-conditioning system (S504); the method characterised by:
(c.) calculating a capacity parameter of the indoor unit based on the first set of running parameters (S506);
(d.) obtaining power consumption readings from a power meter associated with the air-conditioning system (S508);
(e.) deriving a lookup table based on the capacity parameter, the second set of running parameters, and the power consumption readings from the power meter (S510); and
at a time after operating the air-conditioning system:
(f.) updating the power consumption readings in the lookup table based on readings obtained from the power meter (S512).