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Abstract

A method and apparatus measured and calculates the derived thermodynamic state of a heat-pump or air conditioning system using information from transducers sensing elementary thermodynamic variables in the system. Elementary signals such as pressure, temperature, power, humidity, air flow, and others as required are derived using transducers from closed and open portions of the thermodynamic system, and which signals are then transmitted using appropriate transmission media. These signals are input to a computer, which could take many forms (electrical analog, electrical digital, pneumatic, hydraulic, and others), and these signal inputs along with known and tabulated thermodynamic characteristics of the working fluid (refrigerant) and psychrometric properties of the cooled media (air for example), are used to calculate thermodynamic output variables such as entropy, enthalpy, pressure, temperature, and volume at various states in the thermodynamic cycle. The output variables can be presented in tabulated or graphic form for clear understanding such as pressure vs. volume, temperature vs. entropy, or pressure vs. enthalpy graphs of the working system. The derived data can be used to determine efficiency and operating condition of the heat-pump or air-conditioning system and can be used as an aid in the diagnosis of the cause of a malfunctioning or inefficient system. Using artificial intelligence in an 'expert' system, diagnosis could be completely automated.

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