Abstract: System and method for monitoring and detecting potential problems early in a VCC based HVAC&R system employs a monitoring application or agent that uses continuous machine learning and a temperature map to derive or “learn” a relation between a measured input power parameter of one or more system compressors, and condenser and evaporator intake fluid temperatures, based on observations of the temperatures and the input power parameter when the HVAC&R system is new or in a “newly maintained” condition. The monitoring agent can then use the learned relation to determine, based on subsequent observations of the condenser and evaporator intake fluid temperatures, the input power parameter values that should be expected if the HVAC&R system were operating in the “newly maintained” condition. The agent can thereafter compare the expected compressor input power parameter values with observed input power parameter values to determine early whether the system is experiencing performance degradation.

Abstract: System and method for monitoring and detecting potential problems early in a VCC based HVAC&R system employs a monitoring application or agent that uses continuous machine learning and a temperature map to derive or “learn” a relation between a measured input power parameter of one or more system compressors, and condenser and evaporator intake fluid temperatures, based on observations of the temperatures and the input power parameter when the HVAC&R system is new or in a “newly maintained” condition. The monitoring agent can then use the learned relation to determine, based on subsequent observations of the condenser and evaporator intake fluid temperatures, the input power parameter values that should be expected if the HVAC&R system were operating in the “newly maintained” condition. The agent can thereafter compare the expected compressor input power parameter values with observed input power parameter values to determine early whether the system is experiencing performance degradation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring an HVAC&R system employ a monitoring agent that uses observations of evaporator and condenser intake temperatures, evaporator discharge temperature, and a compressor input power parameter to learn operating characteristics of the HVAC&R system in newly maintained condition. Thereafter, the agent continuously or regularly computes a relative coefficient of performance (COP) for the system under subsequent observed ambient conditions, and relates the present instantaneous efficiency of the HVAC&R system under the observed ambient conditions to the instantaneous efficiency when the system was in newly maintained condition. The relative COP can be used to detect system degradation and quantify the energy usage and cost attributable to the degradation. The agent can take appropriate actions to prevent/minimize damage based on the degree of degradation detected, including shutting off power to the HVAC&R system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring an HVAC&R system employ a monitoring agent that uses observations of evaporator and condenser intake temperatures, evaporator discharge temperature, and a compressor input power parameter to learn operating characteristics of the HVAC&R system in newly maintained condition. Thereafter, the agent continuously or regularly computes a relative coefficient of performance (COP) for the system under subsequent observed ambient conditions, and relates the present instantaneous efficiency of the HVAC&R system under the observed ambient conditions to the instantaneous efficiency when the system was in newly maintained condition. The relative COP can be used to detect system degradation and quantify the energy usage and cost attributable to the degradation. The agent can take appropriate actions to prevent/minimize damage based on the degree of degradation detected, including shutting off power to the HVAC&R system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring an HVAC&R system employ a monitoring agent that uses observations of evaporator and condenser intake temperatures, evaporator discharge temperature, and a compressor input power parameter to learn operating characteristics of the HVAC&R system in newly maintained condition. Thereafter, the agent continuously or regularly computes a relative coefficient of performance (COP) for the system under subsequent observed ambient conditions, and relates the present instantaneous efficiency of the HVAC&R system under the observed ambient conditions to the instantaneous efficiency when the system was in newly maintained condition. The relative COP can be used to detect system degradation and quantify the energy usage and cost attributable to the degradation. The agent can take appropriate actions to prevent/minimize damage based on the degree of degradation detected, including shutting off power to the HVAC&R system.

Abstract: System and method for monitoring and detecting potential problems early in a VCC based HVAC&R system employs a monitoring application or agent that uses continuous machine learning and a temperature map to derive or “learn” a relation between a measured input power parameter of one or more system compressors, and condenser and evaporator intake fluid temperatures, based on observations of the temperatures and the input power parameter when the HVAC&R system is new or in a “newly maintained” condition. The monitoring agent can then use the learned relation to determine, based on subsequent observations of the condenser and evaporator intake fluid temperatures, the input power parameter values that should be expected if the HVAC&R system were operating in the “newly maintained” condition. The agent can thereafter compare the expected compressor input power parameter values with observed input power parameter values to determine early whether the system is experiencing performance degradation.

Abstract: An HVAC&R monitor detects short-term and long-term system efficiency degradations by modeling either compressor input power or current. The model is continuously updated with new or recent temperature and power parameter measurements reflecting the most up-to-date operating condition of the system. Short-term system degradations are detected instantaneously by comparing compressor power or current as predicted by the model against measured power or current usage. Long-term system degradations are detected over time by monitoring the sensitivity of the compressor power or current usage to evaporator and/or condenser fluid temperatures. An appropriate warning and/or signal may be issued if system efficiency degradation is detected.

Abstract: A frost monitor for HVAC&R systems detects efficiency degradations indicative of coil icing or frosting conditions by modeling compressor input power. The model uses temperature and compressor input power parameter measurements to predict expected compressor input power parameter values. Efficiency degradations are detected by comparing compressor power or current as predicted by the model against measured power or current. Deviations of the measured power parameter values from the predicted power parameter values by a predefined threshold reflect efficiency degradations that may be due to ice or frost accumulation on system coils. Such efficiency degradations may then be used to initiate a defrost cycle in the system.

Abstract: An HVAC&R monitor detects short-term and long-term system efficiency degradations by modeling either compressor input power or current. The model is continuously updated with new or recent temperature and power parameter measurements reflecting the most up-to-date operating condition of the system. Short-term system degradations are detected instantaneously by comparing compressor power or current as predicted by the model against measured power or current usage. Long-term system degradations are detected over time by monitoring the sensitivity of the compressor power or current usage to evaporator and/or condenser fluid temperatures. An appropriate warning and/or signal may be issued if system efficiency degradation is detected.

Abstract: A frost monitor for HVAC&R systems detects efficiency degradations indicative of coil icing or frosting conditions by modeling compressor input power. The model uses temperature and compressor input power parameter measurements to predict expected compressor input power parameter values. Efficiency degradations are detected by comparing compressor power or current as predicted by the model against measured power or current. Deviations of the measured power parameter values from the predicted power parameter values by a predefined threshold reflect efficiency degradations that may be due to ice or frost accumulation on system coils. Such efficiency degradations may then be used to initiate a defrost cycle in the system.

Abstract: Power measurement by tracking of a voltage cycle when voltage and current measurements are taken at different locations on an AC power line, with the devices taking the measurements interconnected by an asynchronous data network. In general, a synchronization/timing message is sent from the voltage sensing side to the current sensing side, with the synchronization/timing message being transmitted at a predetermined point in the periodic voltage cycle. The receipt of the synchronization/timing message by the current sensing side may be used to re-synchronize an internal model of the voltage cycle maintained by the current sensing side to the measured voltage cycle. The predetermined point in the voltage cycle may be the zero-crossing point, or other point, of the voltage cycle.

Abstract: Power measurement by tracking of a voltage cycle when voltage and current measurements are taken at different locations on an AC power line, with the devices taking the measurements interconnected by an asynchronous data network. In general, a synchronization/timing message is sent from the voltage sensing side to the current sensing side, with the synchronization/timing message being transmitted at a predetermined point in the periodic voltage cycle. The receipt of the synchronization/timing message by the current sensing side may be used to re-synchronize an internal model of the voltage cycle maintained by the current sensing side to the measured voltage cycle. The predetermined point in the voltage cycle may be the zero-crossing point, or other point, of the voltage cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus and technique are provided for generating a plasma using a power supply circuit and arc detection arrangement. The power supply circuit has a cathode enclosed in a chamber, and is adapted to generate a power-related parameter. The arc detection arrangement is communicatively coupled to the power supply circuit and adapted to assess the severity of arcing in the chamber by comparing the power-related parameter to at least one threshold. According to various implementations, arc occurrences, arcing duration, intensity and/or energy are measured responsive to comparing the power-related parameter to the at least one threshold. According to further implementations, the above-mentioned measured quantities are accumulated and/or further processed. An apparatus and method are also provided for detecting arc events when the current spikes above a threshold level.

Abstract: High-speed programmable logic controller (PLC) signal processing is accomplished using a programmable signal processing arrangement that is capable of altering characteristics of signal processing in response to one or more signal processing coefficients. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a PLC-based arrangement includes a PLC controller and a signal processing arrangement that oversamples and processes a signal at a frequency that is greater than a maximum input-process-output scan rate of the PLC controller. In one implementation, the signal processing arrangement is programmable with complex high-speed signal processing parameters that can be downloaded, for example, via the Internet in response to an end-user request. With these approaches, signal sampling and processing is achieved with a PLC-based system at a rate that can be much higher than previously-available signal processing rates with PLC controllers.

Abstract: An apparatus and technique are provided for generating a plasma using a power supply circuit and arc detection arrangement. The power supply circuit has a cathode enclosed in a chamber, and is adapted to generate a power-related parameter. The arc detection arrangement is communicatively coupled to the power supply circuit and adapted to assess the severity of arcing in the chamber by comparing the power-related parameter to at least one threshold. According to various implementations, arc occurrences, arcing duration, intensity and/or energy are measured responsive to comparing the power-related parameter to the at least one threshold. According to further implementations, the above-mentioned measured quantities are accumulated and/or further processed.

Abstract: An apparatus and technique are provided for generating a plasma using a power supply circuit and arc detection arrangement. The power supply circuit has a cathode enclosed in a chamber, and is adapted to generate a power-related parameter. The arc detection arrangement is communicatively coupled to the power supply circuit and adapted to assess the severity of arcing in the chamber by comparing the power-related parameter to at least one threshold. According to various implementations, arc occurrences, arcing duration, intensity and/or energy are measured responsive to comparing the power-related parameter to the at least one threshold. According to further implementations, the above-mentioned measured quantities are accumulated and/or further processed.

Abstract: An apparatus and technique are provided for generating a plasma using a power supply circuit and arc detection arrangement. The power supply circuit has a cathode enclosed in a chamber, and is adapted to generate a power-related parameter. The arc detection arrangement is communicatively coupled to the power supply circuit and adapted to assess the severity of arcing in the chamber by comparing the power-related parameter to at least one threshold. According to various implementations, arc occurrences, arcing duration, intensity and/or energy are measured responsive to comparing the power-related parameter to the at least one threshold. According to further implementations, the above-mentioned measured quantities are accumulated and/or further processed.

Abstract: A field bus network of input and output devices is coupled to a control system through an I/O interface module, regardless of their data structures. The I/O interface module is coupled to the control systemthrough a serial communication port. Local input and output devices are coupled to the interface I/O module through a local I/O interface and networked input and output devices are coupled to the interface I/O module through a field bus communication adapter. A different adapter is required for each type of field bus protocol. The interface I/O module includes a microprocessor based device to generate and control the various interactions between the local devices, networked devices, and the controllsystem and also to provide for a visual and status display of the fieldbus and local I/O data local.

Abstract: A weld controller maintains an internal dynamic model of load impedance, which tracks normal impedance variations that occur as the weld tooling degrades. The weld controller contains a weld process monitor function that tests an estimated load impedance of a weld schedule presently under execution against an internal dynamic model and generates events when characteristics of the estimated load impedance of the present weld falls outside an operator definable band, indicating a problem with the workpiece presently being welded. The weld controller further includes the capability to accept a static model of the load impedance that is used as the reference impedance for the weld control and tooling. The weld controller also includes means to declare an event when characteristics of the dynamic model differ from the static model by an operator-defined amount.

Abstract: A phase controlled weld controller system uses an internal model of weld line and load impedance and of open circuit weld input voltage to develop a nominal firing angle sequence to maintain a desired weld current sequence. The weld controller computes a nominal firing angle sequence based on estimated models of line impedance, open circuit line voltage, and an estimated relation between the load current and conduction angle and the mathematical relation between firing angle, conduction angle and load circuit power that will achieve a desired weld sequence if the models are accurate. The weld controller subsequently uses measured values received in real time while the weld sequence is being executed to modify the nominal firing angle to better achieve the desired objective. This approach allows the weld controller to quickly achieve the desired weld sequence with the actual load, while permitting low feedback gains, resulting in a system that is quick and accurate in response without being overly sensitive.