US5083438A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Chiller monitoring system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1991-03-01
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Granted: 1992-01-28
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Expires: 2011-03-01
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for measuring and monitoring critical parameters of a chiller, such as the chiller efficiency. Specifically, temperature and pressure sensors are disposed in the inlet and outlet lines of a condenser and chiller unit. A sensor is also placed on the compressor motor for determining the amount of power being expended by the motor. The actual flow rate of the chilled water entering and leaving the chiller unit is calculated based upon the sensor inputs. The actual kilowatts per unit ton rating for the evaporator is determined. The design kilowatts per unit ton rating for the evaporator is corrected to take into account any variation between the actual motor voltage and design motor voltage, and the total temperature deviation. The chiller efficiency is then calculated based on these two kilowatt per ton ratings.
Inventors
- 👤 Larry D. McMullin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:22
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25B; F25B49/00; F25B49/005; G; G01; G01L; G01L3/00; G01L3/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
344 words
An apparatus for measuring and monitoring critical parameters including at least an operating efficiency of a chiller unit of the type having a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, and a motor for driving said compressor, said condenser having an inlet line for receiving a supply of condenser water and an outlet line for discharging said supply of condenser water, said evaporator having an inlet line for receiving a supply of chilled water and an outlet line for discharging said supply of chilled water, comprising: first and second temperature sensors respectively disposed at said inlet and said outlet of said condenser for detecting and outputting condenser water entering and leaving temperatures (T ce ) and (T cl ); third and fourth temperature sensors respectively disposed at said inlet and outlet of said evaporator for detecting and outputting chilled water entering and leaving temperatures (T ee ) and (T el ); first and second pressure sensors respectively disposed at said inlet and outlet of said condenser for detecting and outputting condenser water entering and leaving pressures (P ce ) and (P cl ); third and fourth pressure sensors respectively disposed at said inlet and outlet of said evaporator for detecting and outputting chilled water entering and leaving pressures (P ee ) and (P el ): load sensor means for detecting and outputting a load of said motor; storage means for storing predetermined constant data; data processing means receiving said outputs of said first, second, third and fourth temperature sensors, said first, second, third and fourth pressure sensors, and said load sensor means for calculating at least the efficiency of said chiller in accordance with said outputs of said first, second, third and fourth temperature sensors, said first, second, third and fourth pressure sensors, and said load sensor means and said predetermined constant data; and display means for displaying at least the chiller operating efficiency, the condenser water entering and leaving temperatures, the chilled water entering and leaving temperatures, the condenser water entering and leaving pressures, the chilled water entering and leaving pressures, and compressor motor amperes.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
344 words
An apparatus for measuring and monitoring critical parameters including at least an operating efficiency of a chiller unit of the type having a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, and a motor for driving said compressor, said condenser having an inlet line for receiving a supply of condenser water and an outlet line for discharging said supply of condenser water, said evaporator having an inlet line for receiving a supply of chilled water and an outlet line for discharging said supply of chilled water, comprising: first and second temperature sensors respectively disposed at said inlet and said outlet of said condenser for detecting and outputting condenser water entering and leaving temperatures (T ce ) and (T cl ); third and fourth temperature sensors respectively disposed at said inlet and outlet of said evaporator for detecting and outputting chilled water entering and leaving temperatures (T ee ) and (T el ); first and second pressure sensors respectively disposed at said inlet and outlet of said condenser for detecting and outputting condenser water entering and leaving pressures (P ce ) and (P cl ); third and fourth pressure sensors respectively disposed at said inlet and outlet of said evaporator for detecting and outputting chilled water entering and leaving pressures (P ee ) and (P el ): load sensor means for detecting and outputting a load of said motor; storage means for storing predetermined constant data; data processing means receiving said outputs of said first, second, third and fourth temperature sensors, said first, second, third and fourth pressure sensors, and said load sensor means for calculating at least the efficiency of said chiller in accordance with said outputs of said first, second, third and fourth temperature sensors, said first, second, third and fourth pressure sensors, and said load sensor means and said predetermined constant data; and display means for displaying at least the chiller operating efficiency, the condenser water entering and leaving temperatures, the chilled water entering and leaving temperatures, the condenser water entering and leaving pressures, the chilled water entering and leaving pressures, and compressor motor amperes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
207 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said data processor calculates said operating efficiency of said chiller in accordance with the following formulae: Actual Chilled Water Temperature Differential (AEΔT) AEΔT=T.sub.ee -T.sub.el Actual Chilled Water Flow Rate (AEFR) ##EQU3## Actual Evaporator Tonnage (AET) AET=[AEΔT×AEFR]/ c.sub.1 Corrected Design Amps (CDA) CDA=[DMV×DA]/ AMV Design Amps per Evaporator Ton (DAET) DAET=CDA / DET Actual Amps per Evaporator Ton (AAET) AAET=AA / AET Design Kilowatt per Evaporator Ton (DKWET) DKWET=[DAET×AMV×1.73×Pf]/ 1000 Actual Kilowatt per Evaporator Ton (AKWET) AKWET=[AAET×AMV×1.73×pf]/ 1000 Condenser Water Temperature Deviation (ΔT ) Ti ΔT c =T Dce -T ce Chilled Water Temperature Deviation (ΔT e ) ΔT.sub.e =T.sub.Del -T.sub.el Total Temperature Deviation (TTD) TTD=ΔT.sub.c +ΔT.sub.e Correction Factor (Cf) Cf=TTD×1.5 Kilowatt Usage Per Evaporator Ton Correction (KWETC) KWETC=DKWET×Cf Corrected Design Kilowatt Usage Per Evaporator Ton (CDKWET) CDEKWT=DKWET-KWETC Chiller Efficiency (CE) CE=CDKWET / AKWET wherein: DEΔP: a constant representing a design pressure differential of the chilled water flowing in and out of the condenser; DEFR: a constant representing a design chilled water flow rate; DET: a constant representing a design evaporator tonnage; c 1 : a constant representing the specific heat of water; Pf: a constant representing a power factor which typically is set to a value of approximately 0.89;
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
83 words
73: a constant equal to the square root of three; AMV: a constant representing an actual average of the motor voltages; DMV: a constant representing a design motor voltage; AA: a measured value representing current drawn by the motor in terms of amperes; DA: a constant representing a design amps; DET: a constant representing a design evaporator tonnage; T Dce : a constant representing a design condenser water entering temperature; and T Del : a constant representing a design chilled water leaving temperature.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
83 words
73: a constant equal to the square root of three; AMV: a constant representing an actual average of the motor voltages; DMV: a constant representing a design motor voltage; AA: a measured value representing current drawn by the motor in terms of amperes; DA: a constant representing a design amps; DET: a constant representing a design evaporator tonnage; T Dce : a constant representing a design condenser water entering temperature; and T Del : a constant representing a design chilled water leaving temperature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
91 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said data processor further calculates an actual condenser tonnage (ACT) in accordance with the following formulae: Temperature differential (ACΔT) ACΔT=T.sub.cl -T.sub.ce Actual Condenser Water Flow Rate (ACFR) ##EQU4## Actual Condenser Tonnage (ACT) ACT=[ACΔt×ACFR]/ c.sub.1 wherein DCΔP: a constant representing a design pressure differential of condenser water flowing in and out of the condenser; DCFR: a constant representing a design condenser water flow rate; DCT: a constant representing a design condenser tonnage; and c 1 : a constant representing the specific heat of water.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
201 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said data processor further calculates an actual percent heat balance (PHB) in accordance with the following formulae: Actual Condenser Water Temperature differential (ACΔT) ACΔT=T.sub.cl -T.sub.ce Actual Condenser Water Flow Rate (ACFR) ##EQU5## Actual Condenser Tonnage (ACT) ACT=[ACΔt×ACFR]/ c.sub.1 Actual Chilled Water Temperature Differential (AEΔT) AEΔT=T.sub.ee T.sub.el Actual Chilled Water Flow Rate (AEFR) ##EQU6## Actual Evaporator Tonnage (AET) AET=[AEΔT×AEFR]/ c.sub.1 Actual Amps per Evaporator Ton (AAET) AAET=AA / AET Actual Kilowatt per Evaporator Ton (AKWET) AKWET=[AAET×AMV×1.73×Pf]/ 1000 Motor Tons (MT) MT=AKWET×AET×c.sub.2 Percent Heat Balance (PHB) PHB=[MT+AET-ACT]/ [MT+AET] where: DCΔP: a constant representing a design pressure differential of condenser water flowing in and out of the condenser; DCFR: a constant representing a design condenser water flow rate; DCT: a constant representing a design condenser tonnage; DEΔP: a constant representing a design pressure differential of the chilled water flowing in and out of the condenser; DEFR: a constant representing a design chilled water flow rate; DET: a constant representing a design evaporator tonnage; c 1 : a constant representing the specific heat of water; c 2 : a constant; Pf a constant representing a power factor which typically is set to a value of approximately 0.89;
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
73: a constant equal to the square root of three; AA: a measured value representing current drawn by the motor in terms of amperes; and AMV: a constant representing an actual average of the motor voltages, manually measured a number of times.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
73: a constant equal to the square root of three; AA: a measured value representing current drawn by the motor in terms of amperes; and AMV: a constant representing an actual average of the motor voltages, manually measured a number of times.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
184 words
A method for measuring and monitoring at least an operating efficiency of a chiller unit of the type having a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, a motor for driving said compressor, said condenser having an inlet line for receiving a supply of condenser water and an outlet line for discharging said supply of condenser water, said evaporator having an inlet line for receiving a supply of chilled water and an outlet line for discharging said supply of chilled water, comprising the steps of: (a) sensing pressures of said supply of chilled water entering and leaving said evaporator and determining a pressure difference; (b) calculating an actual flow rate of said chilled water in accordance with said pressure difference and predetermined constant data; (c) sensing temperatures of said supply of chilled water entering and leaving said evaporator and determining a temperature difference; (d) sensing a load of said motor; (e) calculating the efficiency of said chiller in accordance with said actual flow rate, said temperature difference, said load and said predetermined constant data; (f) displaying said chiller efficiency result; and (g) repeating said steps (a)-(f).
Claim 11
Independent Claim
184 words
A method for measuring and monitoring at least an operating efficiency of a chiller unit of the type having a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, a motor for driving said compressor, said condenser having an inlet line for receiving a supply of condenser water and an outlet line for discharging said supply of condenser water, said evaporator having an inlet line for receiving a supply of chilled water and an outlet line for discharging said supply of chilled water, comprising the steps of: (a) sensing pressures of said supply of chilled water entering and leaving said evaporator and determining a pressure difference; (b) calculating an actual flow rate of said chilled water in accordance with said pressure difference and predetermined constant data; (c) sensing temperatures of said supply of chilled water entering and leaving said evaporator and determining a temperature difference; (d) sensing a load of said motor; (e) calculating the efficiency of said chiller in accordance with said actual flow rate, said temperature difference, said load and said predetermined constant data; (f) displaying said chiller efficiency result; and (g) repeating said steps (a)-(f).
Claim 12
Independent Claim
261 words
A method for measuring and monitoring at least an operating efficiency of a chiller unit of the type having a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, a motor for driving said compressor, said condenser having an inlet line for receiving a supply of condenser water and an outlet line for discharging said supply of condenser water, said evaporator having an inlet line for receiving a supply of chilled water and an outlet line for discharging said supply of chilled water, comprising the steps of: (a) sensing pressures of said supply of chilled water entering and leaving said evaporator and determining an evaporator pressure difference; (b) calculating an actual chilled water flow rate in accordance with said pressure difference and predetermined constant data; (c) sensing temperatures of said supply of chilled water entering and leaving said evaporator and determining an evaporator temperature difference; (d) sensing a load of said motor; (e) calculating an actual kilowatt usage per evaporator ton in accordance with said actual chilled water flow rate, said evaporator temperature difference, said load and predetermined constant data; (f) sensing temperatures of said supply of condenser water entering and leaving said condenser and determining a condenser temperature difference; (g) calculating a corrected design kilowatt usage per evaporator ton in accordance with said evaporator temperature difference, said condenser temperature difference, said load said predetermined constant data; (h) calculating the operating efficiency of said chiller by dividing said corrected design kilowatt usage per evaporator ton by said actual kilowatt usage per evaporator ton; (i) displaying said chiller operating efficiency; and (j) repeating said steps (a)-(i).
Claim 13
Independent Claim
261 words
A method for measuring and monitoring at least an operating efficiency of a chiller unit of the type having a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, a motor for driving said compressor, said condenser having an inlet line for receiving a supply of condenser water and an outlet line for discharging said supply of condenser water, said evaporator having an inlet line for receiving a supply of chilled water and an outlet line for discharging said supply of chilled water, comprising the steps of: (a) sensing pressures of said supply of chilled water entering and leaving said evaporator and determining an evaporator pressure difference; (b) calculating an actual chilled water flow rate in accordance with said pressure difference and predetermined constant data; (c) sensing temperatures of said supply of chilled water entering and leaving said evaporator and determining an evaporator temperature difference; (d) sensing a load of said motor; (e) calculating an actual kilowatt usage per evaporator ton in accordance with said actual chilled water flow rate, said evaporator temperature difference, said load and predetermined constant data; (f) sensing temperatures of said supply of condenser water entering and leaving said condenser and determining a condenser temperature difference; (g) calculating a corrected design kilowatt usage per evaporator ton in accordance with said evaporator temperature difference, said condenser temperature difference, said load said predetermined constant data; (h) calculating the operating efficiency of said chiller by dividing said corrected design kilowatt usage per evaporator ton by said actual kilowatt usage per evaporator ton; (i) displaying said chiller operating efficiency; and (j) repeating said steps (a)-(i).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
85 words
The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said actual chilled water flow rate (AEFR) is calculated in accordance with the following formula: Actual Chilled Water Flow Rate (AEFR) ##EQU7## where: P el : pressure of the chilled water leaving said evaporator; P ee : pressure of the chilled water entering said evaporator; DEΔP: a predetermined constant representing a design pressure differential of the chilled water flowing in and out of the evaporator; and DEFR: a predetermined constant representing a design chilled water flow rate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
222 words
The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said actual kilowatt usage per evaporator ton (AKWET) is calculated in accordance with the following formula: Actual Chilled Water Temperature Differential (AEΔT) AEΔT=T.sub.ee -T.sub.el Actual Chilled Water Flow Rate (AEFR) ##EQU8## Actual Evaporator Tonnage (AET) AET=[AEΔT×AEFR]/ c.sub.1 Actual Amps per Evaporator Ton (AAET) AAET=AA / AET Actual Kilowatt Usage per Evaporator Ton (AKWET) AKWET=[AAET×AMV×1.73×Pf]/ 1000 where: T cl : temperature of the condenser water leaving said condenser; T ce : temperature of the condenser water entering said condenser; T el : temperature of the chilled water leaving said evaporator; T ee : temperature of the chilled water entering said evaporator; P cl : pressure of the condenser water leaving said condenser; P ce : pressure of the condenser water entering said condenser; P el : pressure of the chilled water leaving said evaporator; P ee : pressure of the chilled water entering said evaporator; DEΔP: a predetermined constant representing a design pressure differential of the chilled water flowing in and out of the condenser; DEFR: a predetermined constant representing a design chilled water flow rate; DET: a predetermined constant representing a design evaporator tonnage; c 1 : a predetermined constant representing the specific heat of water; Pf: a predetermined constant representing a power factor which typically is set to a value of approximately 0.89;
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
73: a constant equal to the square root of three; AA: a measured value representing current drawn by the motor in terms of amperes; and AMV: a predetermined constant representing an actual average of motor voltages.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
73: a constant equal to the square root of three; AA: a measured value representing current drawn by the motor in terms of amperes; and AMV: a predetermined constant representing an actual average of motor voltages.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
189 words
The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said corrected design kilowatt usage per evaporator ton (CDKWET) being calculated in accordance with the following formulae: Corrected Design Amps (CDA) CDA=[DMV×DA]/ AMV Design Amps per Evaporator Ton (DAET) DAET=CDA / DET Design Kilowatt per Evaporator Ton (DKWET) DKWET=[DAET×AMV×1.73×Pf]/ 1000 Condenser Water Temperature Deviation (ΔT c ) ΔT.sub.c =T.sub.Dce -T.sub.ce Chilled Water Temperature Deviation (ΔT e ) Total Temperature Deviation (TTD) TTD=ΔT.sub.c +ΔT.sub.e Correction Factor (Cf) Cf=TTD×1.5 Kilowatt Usage Per Evaporator Ton Correction (KWETC) KWETC=DKWET×Cf Corrected Design Kilowatt Usage Per Evaporator Ton (CDKWET) CDEKWT=DKWET-KWETC where: T ce : temperature of the condenser water entering said condenser; T el : temperature of the chilled water leaving said evaporator; T Dce : a constant representing a design condenser water entering temperature; T Del : constant representing a design chilled water leaving temperature; DET: a constant representing a design evaporator tonnage; AMV: a constant representing an actual average of motor voltages; DMV: a constant representing a design motor voltages; DA: a constant representing a design amps; Pf a constant representing a power factor which typically is set to a value of approximately 0.89; and
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
10 words
73: a predetermined constant representing the square root of three.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
10 words
73: a predetermined constant representing the square root of three.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising the steps of: sensing pressures of said supply of condenser water entering and leaving said condenser and determining a pressure difference therebetween; calculating an actual condenser water flow rate in accordance with said pressure difference and predetermined constant data; calculating an actual condenser tonnage of said condenser in accordance with said actual condenser water flow rate, said condenser temperature difference, said load and said predetermined constant data.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
271 words
The method as claimed in claim 10, further comprising the steps of: calculating a percent heat balance in accordance with the following formulae: Actual Condenser Water Temperature differential (ACΔT) ACΔT=T.sub.cl -T.sub.ce Actual Condenser Water Flow Rate (ACFR) ##EQU9## Actual Condenser Tonnage (ACT) ACT=[ACΔt×ACFR]/ c.sub.1 Actual Chilled Water Temperature Differential (AEΔT) AEΔT=T.sub.ee -T.sub.el Actual Chilled Water Flow Rate (AEFR ##EQU10## Actual Evaporator Tonnage (AET) AET=[AEΔT×AEFR]/c.sub.1 Actual Amps per Evaporator Ton (AAET) AAET=AA / AET Actual Kilowatt per Evaporator Ton (AKWET) AKWET=[AAET×AMV×1.73×Pf]/ 1000 Motor Tons (MT) MT=AKWET×AET×c.sub.2 Percent Heat Balance (PHB) PHB=[MT+AET-ACT]/ [MT+AET] where: T cl : temperature of the condenser water leaving said condenser; T ce : temperature of the condenser water entering said condenser; T el : temperature of the chilled water leaving said evaporator; T ee : temperature of the chilled water entering said evaporator; P cl : pressure of the condenser water leaving said condenser; P ce : pressure of the condenser water entering said condenser; P el : pressure of the chilled water leaving said evaporator; P ee : pressure of the chilled water entering said evaporator; DCΔP: a constant representing a design pressure differential of the condenser water flowing in and out of the condenser; DCFR: a constant representing a design condenser water flow rate; DCT: a constant representing a design condenser tonnage; DEΔP: a constant representing a design pressure differential of the chilled water flowing in and out of the condenser; DEFR: a constant representing a design chilled water flow rate; DET: a constant representing a design evaporator tonnage: Pf: a constant representing a power factor which typically is set to a value of approximately 0.89;
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
52 words
73: a constant equal to the square root of three; AA: a measured value representing current drawn by the motor in terms of amperes; AMV: a constant representing an actual average of the motor voltage; c 1 : a constant representing the specific heat of water; and c 2 : a constant.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
52 words
73: a constant equal to the square root of three; AA: a measured value representing current drawn by the motor in terms of amperes; AMV: a constant representing an actual average of the motor voltage; c 1 : a constant representing the specific heat of water; and c 2 : a constant.
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