EP3791073B1 - Method for determining a fluid delivery parameter - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for determining a fluid delivery characteristic of a fluid delivery device, in particular for determining a volume flow. The invention further relates to a device for determining a fluid delivery parameter, a fluid delivery device, in particular for determining a volume flow.

The invention further relates to a fluid delivery system.

Although the present invention is generally applicable to any fluid handling device, the present invention will be described in relation to a fan.

Fans or fans are used in a variety of ways, for example in the field of ventilation and air conditioning. Knowledge of the current operating status of the fan is required for efficient operation and for adaptation to the operating conditions of the fan. For example, in the case of a centrifugal fan, a characteristic curve that reflects the performance of the centrifugal fan via the conveyed volume flow drops from the maximum load operating point on both sides d. H. to lower and higher flow rates. With a known fan output, this results in two operating points that cannot be distinguished with regard to the volume flow. These can only be determined with great effort, for example based on the installation situation of the fan together with control data for the fan, in order to then be able to draw conclusions about the volume flow.

WO 2017/059897 A1 and DE 198 51 523 C1 disclose a method and a device for determining a fluid delivery parameter, namely for determining a volume flow.

One object of the present invention is therefore to specify a method for determining a fluid delivery parameter and a fluid delivery system which can easily and reliably determine the operating point and thus a fluid delivery parameter of the fluid delivery device. Another task of the present Invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive implementation. Another object is to provide an alternative method and fluid delivery system.

• Ermitteln von Anregungsinformationen für eine mechanische Anregung zumindest eines Fluidförderelements der Fluidfördervorrichtung in zumindest einer Raumrichtung mittels zumindest einer ersten Sensoreinrichtung, wobei als Größe der mechanischen Anregung eine oder mehrere Schwingungen des Fluidförderelements bereitgestellt werden,
• Bereitstellen von Betriebsinformationen, umfassend zumindest einen Wert einer Betriebsgröße der Fluidfördervorrichtung mittels einer Bereitstellungseinrichtung,
• Analysieren der bereitgestellten und ermittelten Informationen,
• Ermitteln der Fluidförderkenngröße, insbesondere des Volumenstroms, der Fluidfördervorrichtung auf Basis der analysierten Informationen.

According to one aspect of the invention, the present invention achieves the objects with a method for determining a fluid delivery parameter of a fluid delivery device, in particular for determining a volume flow, comprising the steps

• Determination of excitation information for a mechanical excitation of at least one fluid delivery element of the fluid delivery device in at least one spatial direction by means of at least one first sensor device, one or more vibrations of the fluid delivery element being provided as the variable of the mechanical excitation,
• Provision of operating information, comprising at least one value of an operating variable of the fluid delivery device by means of a provision device,
• Analyzing the information provided and determined,
• Determining the fluid delivery parameter, in particular the volume flow, of the fluid delivery device on the basis of the analyzed information.

• eine Sensoreinrichtung zum Ermitteln von Anregungsinformationen für eine mechanische Anregung zumindest eines Fluidförderelements der Fluidvorrichtung in zumindest einer Raumrichtung, wobei als Größe der mechanischen Anregung eine oder mehrere Schwingungen des Fluidförderelements bereitgestellt werden,
• eine Bereitstellungseinrichtung zum Bereitstellen von Betriebsinformationen, umfassend zumindest einen Wert einer Betriebsgröße der Fluidfördervorrichtung, und
• eine Recheneinheit zum Analysieren der bereitgestellten und ermittelten Informationen und zum Ermitteln der Fluidförderkenngröße, insbesondere des Volumenstroms der Fluidfördervorrichtung auf Basis der analysierten Informationen.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the present invention comprehensively achieves the objects with a device for determining a fluid delivery parameter of a fluid delivery device, in particular for determining a volume flow

• a sensor device for determining excitation information for a mechanical excitation of at least one fluid delivery element of the fluid device in at least one spatial direction, one or more vibrations of the fluid delivery element being provided as the variable of the mechanical excitation,
• a provision device for providing operating information, comprising at least one value of an operating variable of the fluid delivery device, and
• a computing unit for analyzing the information provided and ascertained and for determining the fluid delivery parameter, in particular the volume flow of the fluid delivery device, on the basis of the analyzed information.

• eine Fluidfördereinrichtung, insbesondere in Form eines Lüfters, mit zumindest einem Fluidförderelement, insbesondere in Form eines Laufrads, und
• eine Vorrichtung zur Ermittlung einer Fluidförderkenngröße der Fluidfördervorrichtung gemäß einem der Ansprüche 8-11.

In a further embodiment, the present invention achieves the objects with a fluid delivery system comprising

• a fluid delivery device, in particular in the form of a fan, with at least one fluid delivery element, in particular in the form of an impeller, and
• a device for determining a fluid delivery parameter of the fluid delivery device according to any one of claims 8-11.

One of the advantages achieved in this way is that an operating point or working point in relation to the volume flow within the fluid delivery device can be clearly determined without additional, complex measurements using separate measuring devices. A further advantage is that such information can also be made available to a user or operator of the fluid delivery device and can then be used by him. In addition, the determined fluid delivery parameter can be used in a flexible manner to control and regulate the fluid delivery device and/or also to calculate, for example, the service life of the fluid delivery device or the like.

Other features, advantages, and other embodiments of the invention are described below or will become apparent thereby.

According to the invention, one or more vibrations of the fluid-conveying element are provided as a variable for the mechanical excitation. The advantage of this is that, based on signals from a vibration of the fluid delivery element, conclusions can be drawn about the operating point in relation to the volume flow in a simple and at the same time reliable manner.

According to a further advantageous development, an amplitude and/or a change in an amplitude of the size of the mechanical excitation is measured. The advantage of this is that values for the size of the mechanical vibration can be determined or measured in a simple manner.

According to a further advantageous development, prior to the analysis, the operating information is evaluated using a stored and/or previously determined characteristic map for operating information. In this way, the performance and the volume flow of a fan can be linked in a simple and reliable manner using the characteristics map, for example the speed of a fan impeller.

According to a further advantageous development, the fluid delivery device is provided in the form of a fan, in particular a radial fan, and the fluid delivery element is provided in the form of an impeller of the fan. A fluid delivery device can thus be provided in a simple and cost-effective manner.

According to a further advantageous development, performance information of the fluid delivery device, in particular current, voltage and/or energy consumption and/or a speed of the fluid delivery device, is provided as operating information. The advantage of this is in turn that performance data can be used as operating information, which is generally already available as a signal. A complex separate recording of these variables can thus be omitted. At the same time, the accuracy in determining the fluid delivery parameter is improved.

According to a further advantageous development, the information is determined as a function of time, in particular with a time profile of the respective information being determined. The advantage of this is that small fluctuations over time in operating variables, such as the speed of an impeller, etc., can be detected and averaged out if necessary, which improves the accuracy of the assignment to an operating point and thus the determination of the fluid delivery parameter.

According to a further advantageous development, the values are processed before the analysis, in particular by means of a fast Fourier transformation. The advantage of this is that the analysis of the values can be improved in this way, which improves the accuracy when determining the fluid delivery parameter and reduces the computing and memory requirements.

According to a further advantageous development of the fluid delivery system, a control unit is arranged which is designed to control the fluid delivery device using the determined fluid delivery parameter. In this way, a particularly stable and continuous operation of the fluid delivery device is made possible.

According to a further advantageous development, the sensor device has a vibration sensor and/or the providing device is designed to provide information from a control unit of the fluid delivery device. The advantage of this is a simple provision of information about a mechanical excitation and other operating variables.

According to a further advantageous development, the computing unit includes a memory in which at least one characteristic map for one or more operating variables of the fluid delivery device is stored and which is designed to provide the at least one characteristic diagram of the fluid delivery device to the computing unit for determining the fluid delivery parameter. The advantage of this is that a characteristic map for determining the fluid delivery parameter can be provided quickly and easily.

Further important features and advantages of the invention result from the dependent claims, from the drawings, and from the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those still to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The scope of the invention is defined solely by the appended claims.

Preferred designs and embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, with the same reference symbols referring to identical or similar or functionally identical components or elements.

show it

figure 1

in schematic form, a method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

figure 2

a map of a centrifugal fan according to an embodiment of the present invention and

figure 3

Vibration characteristics for different operating points for the centrifugal fan according to figure 2 .

figure 1 Figure 12 shows, in schematic form, a method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In figure 1 If vibration information 4a and performance information 4b are provided, and based on rotational speed information 4c, for example from an impeller of a fan, this is compared with a characteristic map 3b. The information 4a, 4b, 4c is then used to determine a characteristic curve 3a, from which the volume flow 2 then results. In detail, for example, a characteristic curve 3a is selected from the known characteristic diagram 3b of a radial fan as a function of the rotational speed 4c known in motor electronics. Information on the power 4b of the radial fan or, associated therewith, the torque requirement of the impeller of the radial fan is known from a control unit of the radial fan. On the basis of an impeller-specific known correlation between vibration excitation (vibration information 4a) and volume flow, this is used in connection with the selected characteristic curve 3a in order to determine a currently existing operating point. The volume flow information determined in this way can subsequently be used, for example, to control a constant volume flow.

figure 2 12 shows a characteristic diagram of a centrifugal fan according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In detail is in figure 2 the characteristic diagram of a centrifugal fan with backward-curved blades is shown. The power 11 of the radial fan is plotted against the volume flow 10 for different speeds n ₁ , n ₂ , . . . The characteristic curve for each speed (n ₁ , n ₂ , ...) starting from the respective maximum load point falls on both sides, ie towards lower and higher volume flows. This results in two working points AP1 and AP2, which cannot be distinguished with regard to the volume flow, for a known motor or fan power. The difference results, among other things, from the system resistance and thus the installation situation of the centrifugal fan.

figure 3 shows vibration characteristics for different operating points of the centrifugal fan according to figure 2 .

In detail is in 3 now the in the in 2 mentioned operating points AP1 and AP2 present vibration state shown. This results from the interaction of the impeller and the volume flow, which represents an exciting mass. When analyzing the vibration information, a characteristic of the vibration is obtained depending on the individual impeller geometry, which correlates with the volume throughput of the impeller of the radial fan. For example - as in Figure 3a shown - the time-dependent signal 13 of the vibration sensor for the two working points AP1, AP2 are evaluated with respect to its amplitude or the signal fluctuation 15. The signals 13, more precisely their fluctuation, differ significantly for the two operating points AP1, AP2. Alternatively - as in Figure 3b shown - a signal analysis can be carried out in order to identify characteristic frequency ranges 14 with signal peaks 16 for the two working points AP1, AP2. The vibration characteristics can then be correlated with the volume flow.

• Einen Ventilator mit einer Einrichtung zur Ermittlung seines Betriebszustands bezüglich seiner Leistung und Drehzahl sowie eines Sensors zur Analyse seines mechanischen Schwingverhaltens.
• Eine Verknüpfung von Leistungsdaten wie beispielsweise Strom, Spannung oder sonstiger betrieblicher Kenngrößen und einer Information zur mechanischen Anregung , nämlich eine oder mehrere Schwingungen des Fluidförderelements, wie beispielsweise Schwingungsamplituden, Schwinggeschwindigkeiten oder eine Charakteristik in Form eines Schwingungs-Spektrums zur Erstellung eines definierten Betriebspunktes bzgl. Volumenstrom bzw. Druckdifferenz unter Berücksichtigung von bekannten Kennfeldern des Ventilators bezüglich der drehzahlabhängigen Leistung und Volumenstrom. Hierbei lassen sich auf Basis der Signale eines Schwingungssensors, insbesondere gemessene Wegänderungen x, y, z bzw. nach deren Auswertung z.B. durch Fast-Fourier-Transformation oder sonstige Signalauswertung, unter Verwendung weiterer bekannter Größen, z.B. von einem Steuergerät Ströme, Leistung etc. als Informationen nutzen und ein Massen respektive Volumenstrom zuordnen.
• Eine Ermittlung des Volumenstroms innerhalb des Ventilatormotors bzw. dessen Steuer-/Regeleinheit ohne zusätzliche Messgeräte, insbesondere Volumenstrom, Druck oder dergleichen. Eine mögliche Ausgabe der Information für den Kunden beispielsweise Volumenstrom als nutzerseitiger Ausgabeparameter.
• Die Möglichkeit einer internen Verwertung in einer Steuerung für eine Regelung des Ventilators und/oder zur Gewinnung weiterer betriebsspezifischer Parameter, z.B. zu seiner Lebensdauerberechnung.

In summary, at least one of the embodiments of the present invention enables or provides at least one of the following features and/or at least one of the following advantages:

• A fan with a device for determining its operating status with regard to its power and speed and a sensor for Analysis of its mechanical vibration behavior.
• A linking of performance data such as current, voltage or other operational parameters and information on mechanical excitation, namely one or more vibrations of the fluid delivery element, such as vibration amplitudes, vibration speeds or a characteristic in the form of a vibration spectrum to create a defined operating point with regard to volume flow or pressure difference, taking into account known characteristic diagrams of the fan with regard to the speed-dependent power and volume flow. Here, on the basis of the signals from a vibration sensor, in particular measured path changes x, y, z or after their evaluation, for example by fast Fourier transformation or other signal evaluation, using other known variables, for example from a control unit currents, power etc. as Use information and assign a mass or volume flow.
• A determination of the volume flow within the fan motor or its control/regulation unit without additional measuring devices, in particular volume flow, pressure or the like. A possible output of the information for the customer, for example, volume flow as a user-side output parameter.
• The possibility of internal use in a controller for regulating the fan and/or for obtaining further operation-specific parameters, e.g. for calculating its service life.

Although the present invention has been described using preferred exemplary embodiments, it is not restricted thereto. The scope of the invention is defined solely by the appended claims.

Reference List

2.10

flow rate

3a

curve

3b

map

4a

vibration information

4b

performance information

4c

rotational speed

AP1, AP2

operating point

11

perfomance

12

time

13

path/deflection

14

frequency

15

difference max./min. deflection

16

Peaks/Peaks

Claims (12)

1. Method for establishing a fluid conveying parameter (2) of a fluid conveying apparatus, in particular for establishing a volume flow, comprising the steps of:

   - establishing excitement information for a mechanical excitation (4a) of at least one fluid conveying element of the fluid conveying apparatus in at least one spatial direction by means of at least a first sensor device, wherein one or more vibrations of the fluid conveying element is/are provided as a variable of the mechanical excitation (4a),

   - providing operating information items, comprising at least one value of an operating variable (4b, 4c) of the fluid conveying apparatus by means of a provision device,

   - analysing the information items (3a, 3b) provided and established,

   - establishing the fluid conveying parameter (2, 10), in particular of the volume flow, of the fluid conveying apparatus based on the analysed information items.
2. Method according to claim 1, wherein an amplitude and/or a change of an amplitude of the variable of the mechanical excitation is measured.
3. Method according to either claim 1 or 2, wherein prior to the analysis an evaluation of the operating information items is carried out with reference to a stored and/or previously established characteristic diagram (3b) for operating information items.
4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fluid conveying apparatus is provided in the form of a fan, in particular a radial fan, and the conveyor element is provided in the form of an impeller of the fan.
5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein performance information items (4b) of the fluid conveying apparatus, in particular electric current, voltage and/or energy consumption and/or a speed (4c) of the fluid conveying apparatus are provided as operating information.
6. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the information items (4a, 4b, 4c) are established in a time-dependent manner, in particular wherein a time path of the respective information items (4a, 4b, 4c) is established.
7. Method according to claim 6, wherein the information items are prepared prior to the analysis, in particular by means of a Fast Fourier transform.
8. Apparatus for establishing a fluid conveying parameter (2) of a fluid conveying apparatus, in particular in order to establish a volume flow, comprising:

   - a sensor device for establishing excitement information items for a mechanical excitation (4a) of at least one fluid conveying element of the fluid conveying apparatus in at least one spatial direction, wherein one or more vibrations of the fluid conveying element are provided as a variable of the mechanical excitation (4a),

   - a provision device for providing operating information items comprising at least one value of an operating variable (4b, 4c) of the fluid conveying apparatus, and

   - a processor unit for analysing the information items (3a, 3b) provided and established and for establishing the fluid conveying parameter (2, 10), in particular the volume flow of the fluid conveying apparatus based on the information analysed.
9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein there is arranged a control unit which is constructed to provide control signals for a fluid conveying device with reference to the fluid conveying parameter established.
10. Apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 9, wherein the sensor device has a vibration sensor and/or the provision device is constructed to provide information items of a control device of the fluid conveying device.
11. Apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the processor unit comprises a store in which at least one identification field of the fluid conveying device for one or more operating variables (4) is stored and which is constructed to provide the at least one identification field of the processor unit in order to establish the fluid conveying parameter.
12. Fluid conveying system comprising

    - a fluid conveying device, in particular in the form of a fan, having at least one fluid conveying element, in particular in the form of an impeller, and

    - an apparatus for establishing a fluid conveying parameter (2) of the fluid conveying device according to any one of claims 8 to 11.

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