Abstract:
The invention provides a method for controlling the climate of an environment, e.g. a house, which exchanges thermal energy with an ambient space. Energy is supplied to the environment e.g. by radiators, floor heating, electrical heating fans etc. According to the method, a numerically expressed comfort criteria, and a numerically expressed weight of importance of compliance with the comfort criterion are defined. Subsequently, a supply of a specific amount of energy is considered, and with respect to that amount, a numerical expression of a degree of compliance with the comfort criterion, and a numerical expression of costs related to the supply of that amount of energy are provided.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method and a system to reduce losses of energy due to ripples, especially at the power grid, the ripples being short term power shortages or excess power. The method is based on the idea of shutting off energy consuming devices during a period of power shortage, if their operation is not necessary, and optionally to turn on such energy consuming devices during periods of excess power, if energy may be stored in them, especially when energy may be stored as some physical parameter or variable, being a part of the operation of the energy consuming devices, such as the temperature of a freezer.
Abstract:
The invention provides a method of controlling a release of thermal energy in a building. The method comprises steps of defining a control criterion for the building, defining a set of climate variables which influence the release of thermal energy in the building, and defining for each climate variable, a climate signification index which defines the importance of that climate variable for the release of thermal energy in the building. Furthermore, the method comprises a step of receiving a set of predicted future climate variables, and subsequently a step of combining the climate signification indices and the predicted future climate variables to provide control instructions for release of an amount of thermal energy in the building to satisfy the control criterion. The invention further provides a comfort control system.
Abstract:
A method and a device for detecting flash gas in a vapour-compression refrigeration or heat pump system comprising a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator interconnected by conduits providing a flow path for a refrigerant, by determining a first rate of heat flow of a heat exchange fluid flow across a heat exchanger of the system and a second rate of heat flow of the refrigerant across the heat exchanger, and using the rates of heat flow for establishing an energy balance from which a parameter for monitoring the refrigerant flow is derived, to thereby provide early detection of flash gas with a minimum number of false alarms.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a method for evaluating a non-measured operating variable in a refrigeration plant, which can be derived from at least one signal which is scanned at specific points in time, enabling early recognition of errors. An error indicator is formed by means of the following steps:a) the error indicator is set to a specified value at a first moment in time; b) a sum is formed from the error indicator of a predetermined earlier moment in time and a first variable derived from an estimated value for the operating variable taking into account at least one signal-dependent variable; c) the error indicator is set to the value of the sum if the sum is greater than the specified value, and set to the specified value if the sum is less than or the same as the specified value.
Abstract:
A method for determining wire connections in a vapor compression system (1) is disclosed. The vapor compression system comprises a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device (2) and an evaporator (3) being fluidly interconnected in a refrigerant path, and two or more sensor devices (7, 8, 9, 10, 11) arranged for measuring variables which are relevant for the operation of the vapor compression system (1). The method comprises the steps of changing an operational setting, e.g. an opening degree of the expansion device (2) for the vapor compression system (1), monitoring variable values, such as temperatures, being measured by at least two sensor devices (7, 8, 9, 10, 11), e.g. arranged at various positions of the vapor compression system (1), in response to said changed operational setting, comparing the measured variable values to expected behavior of at least one variable measured by a sensor device (7, 8, 9, 10, 11) in response to said changed operational setting, and based on the comparing step, determining at least one wire connection of the vapour compression system (1). The method allows correct wire connections to be established without any special effort from the installing personnel, and without requiring rewiring of the system.
Abstract:
A method for calibrating a superheat sensor (5) for a refrigeration system is provided. The method comprises the following steps. Increasing an amount of liquid refrigerant in the evaporator (1), e.g. by increasing an opening degree of the expansion valve (3). Monitoring one or more parameters, e.g. the temperature of refrigerant leaving the evaporator (1), said parameters reflecting a superheat value of the refrigerant. Allowing the value of each of the parameter(s) to decrease. When the value(s) of the monitored parameter(s) reaches a substantially constant level, defining the superheat value corresponding to the constant level to be SH=O. The superheat sensor (5) is then calibrated in accordance with the defined SH=O level. When the parameter(s) reaches the substantially constant level it is an indication that liquid refrigerant is allowed to pass through the evaporator (1), and thereby that the superheat of the refrigerant leaving the evaporator (1) is zero. Calibration can be performed on site, and it is therefore not necessary to calibrate the sensor (5) at the manufacturing facility. Thereby it is no longer required to match calibration information with a specific sensor.
Abstract:
A method for controlling a flow of refrigerant to an evaporator (1) arranged in a refrigeration system is disclosed. The refrigeration system further comprises an expansion valve (12) and a compressor, the expansion valve (12), the evaporator (1) and the compressor being arranged in a refrigerant flow path having refrigerant flowing therein. The method comprises the steps of increasing an opening degree of the expansion valve (12), thereby increasing a flow of refrigerant to the evaporator (1) sufficiently to substantially eliminate a dry zone (3) of the evaporator (1), decreasing the opening degree of the expansion valve (12) after a period of time has lapsed, and repeating the steps of increasing and decreasing the opening degree of the expansion valve (12). Thus, the opening degree of the expansion valve (12) is 'pulsated'. This causes the superheat value of refrigerant leaving the evaporator (1) to 'toggle' between a zero level and a low, but positive, level. Thereby the average superheat value of the refrigerant leaving the evaporator (1) is decreased, and the refrigeration capacity of the evaporator (1) is utilised more efficiently. Simultaneously, it is ensured that the amount of liquid refrigerant being allowed to pass through the evaporator (1) is kept sufficiently low to prevent damage to the compressor.