TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure generally relates to a measuring system. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a system and method for remote monitoring and detection of faults in an air conditioning system.
BACKGROUND
The air-conditioning industry has witnessed a lot of progress over the past few decades due to the advancement of technology and innovation at a rapid pace. An air-conditioner generally comprises a compressor, cooling coils, a refrigerant, an air filter and a fan. Proper functioning of these components is vital for the efficient working of the air-conditioner, least power consumption and maximum cooling effect.
One of the major problems that an air-conditioner faces is blockage of air filter due to the accumulation of dust and other pollutants in the air filter. This results in a reduced air flow from the air-conditioner vent, thereby increasing time to attain a desired temperature and hence decreasing the efficiency of the air-conditioner.
The currently used air-conditioners comprise an automatic cleaning mechanism which cleans dry dust and solid particles trapped in the filter. However, said cleaning mechanism is not so effective on smaller pollutants and soot keep sticking to the filter which mandates manual cleaning of filter.
Other problem associated to the air-conditioner is blockage of the cooling coils. The cooling coils get blocked causing increase in pressure in the cooling coil, which causes leakage. The variation in pressure values above a standard value may cause leakage in the coils and thus may cause release of refrigerant from the compressor coil. Any fall in the value below standard value is indicative of the poor efficiency in cooling and the refrigerant may have already leaked. The

leakage of refrigerant not only affects the working of the air-conditioner but also causes decrease efficiency.
Further, the currently used air-conditioners require timely service and maintenance for efficient working of the components of the air-conditioner. Generally, customers opt for Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) for regular maintenance of the air-conditioner. However, monitoring the running condition or performance of the air-conditioner is unfeasible for an AMC providers and due to which a defect may be overlooked for a long duration or until the next maintenance. This may lead into damage to the air-conditioner or fall in the efficiency.
Accordingly, in light of the aforementioned and inherent drawbacks existing in the prior art, there exist a needs to provide a system and method which allows to maintain efficiency and performance of the air-conditioner by determining the faults in the air-conditioner. There also exists a need to provide a system and method which monitors the running condition of the air-conditioner and triggers an alarm in an event any faults are identified.
SUMMARY
Accordingly, one aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for determining at least one fault in an air-conditioner, the method comprising: measuring, by an air flow sensor, an air flow passing through a filter of the air-conditioner and measuring, by a pressure sensor, a pressure of a refrigerant coming out of a cooling coil of the air-conditioner. Further step involves, receiving, by a control unit, the air flow data from the air flow sensor and the pressure data from the pressure sensor. Further step involves comparing, by the control unit, the air flow data and the pressure data with a pre-defined air flow data and pre-defined range of a pressure data. Finally, the last step involves determining, by the control unit, the at least one fault in the air-conditioner in at least one of an event, the air flow data is lesser than the pre-defined air flow

data, and the pressure data of the refrigerant lies beyond the pre-defined range of the pressure data.
Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system for determining a fault in an air-conditioner. The system comprises the air-conditioner having a filter, a cooling coil, and a refrigerant. The system also comprises an air flow sensor configured to measure an air flow passing through the filter of the air-conditioner, wherein the wherein the air flow has an air flow data. The system also comprises a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure of a refrigerant coming out of the cooling coil of the air-conditioner, wherein the pressure has a pressure data. Further, the system also comprise a control unit configured to receive the air flow data from the air flow sensor and pressure data from the pressure sensor, compare the air flow data and pressure data of the refrigerant with a pre-defined air flow data and pressure data, determine the fault in the air-conditioner in at least one of an event, wherein the air flow data is lesser than the pre-defined air flow data, and the pressure data of the refrigerant lies beyond the pre-defined range of pressure data.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The following description may be best understood when read in conjunction with the following drawing:
Figure 1 illustrates a system architecture, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 2 illustrates a flow diagram of a method, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, various specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, that the present disclosure can be practiced without these specific details. Several features described hereafter can each be used independently of one another or with any combination of other features. However, any individual feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or might address only one of the problems discussed above. Some of the problems discussed above might not be fully addressed by any of the features described herein. Although, headings are provided, information related to a particular heading, but not found in the section having that heading, may also be found elsewhere in the specification. Example embodiments of the present disclosure are described below, as illustrated in various drawings in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different drawings.
The present disclosure relates to a system and method for determining at least one fault in an air-conditioner and notifying the fault to a user of the air-conditioner.
Figure 1 illustrates a system architecture of a fault determining system [100]. The system [100] comprises a control unit [101], an air flow sensor [102], a pressure sensor [103], a communication module [104], and a centralized remote server [106]. The system also comprises an air-conditioner and the components associated with the air-conditioner such as, a compressor, a cooling coil, a refrigerant, an air filter and a fan.
The air flow sensor [102] is configured for sensing and measuring the air flow into the air-conditioner. The air flow sensor [102] may be configured at the inlet/ outlet of the air passage/ duct. The air flow sensor [102] measures the air flow sucked from the ambient/ surrounding and entering into the air filter, wherein

the air flow has an air flow data. The air flow sensor [102] sends the air flow data to the control unit [101]. The air flow sensor [102] may include, but not limited to, an anemometer, a moving vane meter, a hot wire meter, a cold wire sensor.
The pressure sensor [103] is configured for sensing and measuring the pressure of the refrigerant coming out of the cooling coil. In another embodiment, the pressure sensor [103] may be configured for sensing and measuring the pressure of the refrigerant at the entering of the compressor. The pressure sensor [103] may be configured at the exist point of the cooling coil. In another embodiment, the pressure sensor [102] may be configured at an inlet of the compressor. The pressure sensor [103] measures the pressure of the refrigerant coming out of the cooling coil, wherein the pressure has a pressure data. The pressure sensor [103] further sends the pressure data to the control unit [101]. The pressure sensor [103] may be an analog pressure sensor, a pressure transmitter or any other pressure sensor that is obvious to a person ordinary skilled in the art.
Further, the control unit [101] is configured to store a pre-defined air flow data, and a pre-defined range of pressure data for the refrigerant coming of the cooling coil. The pre-defined air flow data and the range of the pressure data is stored in the control unit either by a manufacturing company or by a user. The control unit [101] may be a controller, a processor, or any such device that is capable of storing data, comparing data, and determining a result based on the compared data. As described earlier, the control unit [101] is configured to receive and store the air flow data, the pressure data. The control unit [101] may be located in the air-conditioner or may be located at a far location from the air-conditioner. The control unit [101] is also configured to compare the air flow data and the pressure data with the pre-defined air flow data, and the pre-defined range of the pressure data.
Furthermore, the control unit [101] is also configured to determine the fault based on the comparison of the data. The control unit [101] determines the at

least one fault in an event, wherein the air flow data is lesser than the pre¬defined value air flow data. The lesser air flow indicates the blockage of the air filter. Similarly, the control unit [101] determines the fault in another event, wherein the pressure data of the refrigerant coming out of the cooling coil lies beyond the pre-defined range of the pressure data. The control unit [101] is also configured to send the determined fault data in form an alert to at least one of a remote centralized server [106] and a user via communication module [104]. The remote centralized server [106] may be located on a cloud platform, a manufacturer company facility, an air-conditioner service and maintenance provider or any location as may be obvious to a skilled person. The communication module [104] may comprise a GSM module, a Wi-Fi, or any other module as may be obvious to a skilled person.
In an event the control unit [101] sends the alert to the remote centralized server [106], the remote centralized server [106] is configured to pass this alert to the user or air-conditioner service and maintenance provider via at least one of a short-range communication and a long-range communication. The alert may be a GSM message, an audio message, a visual indication, an audio-visual indication or any such notification that is obvious to a person ordinary skilled in the art. The alert to the user will help them maintaining the air-conditioner running at the air-conditioner.
In an embodiment, the alert sent by the control unit [101] may be sent in real time or periodically after an interval of time. The centralized remote server [106] may also suggest a corrective action to be taken. Lastly, the system [100] may be incorporated inside an air-conditioner and may be fitted at the time of manufacturing of the air-conditioner. In one embodiment, the system [100] may be made in a plug-and-play mode and may be attached to any air-conditioner.
Figure 2 illustrates a flow diagram for the method [200] for determining the fault in the air-conditioner. The method [200] initiates at step [201]. The method [200]

may either initiate as soon as the air-conditioner is switched ON or may initiate after a time delay, e.g. 3 mins, from the start of the air-conditioner.
At step [202], the air flow sensor [102] senses and measures an air flow data and sends the air flow data to the control unit [101]. The step [202] also involves sensing and measuring, by the pressure sensor [103], the pressure of the refrigerant coming out of the cooling coil of the air-conditioner and sends the pressure data to control unit [101].
At step [203], the control unit [101] receives the air flow data from the air flow sensor [102] and the pressure data from the pressure sensor [103].
At step [204], the control unit [101] compares the air flow data with the pre¬defined air flow data, and the pressure data with the pre-defined range of the pressure data. In an event, the air flow data is lesser than the pre-defined air flow data, the method may leads to step [205]. Alternatively, the method flow terminates. Further, at step [205], the control unit [101] determines the fault in the air-conditioner.
Similarly, in an event, the pressure data lies beyond the pre-defined range of the pressure data, the method may leads to step [205]. Alternatively, the method flow terminates. At step [205], the control unit [101] determines the fault in the air-conditioner.
At step [206], the control unit [101] sends an alert to a centralized remote server [106] via a communication module [104]. Lastly, at step [207] the centralized remote server [106] may further send the alert to the user. This method flow lastly terminates at step [208].
Therefore, in a nutshell, the present disclosure discloses a system and method for determining a fault in an air-conditioner and notifying the fault to a user of the air-conditioner.

Although, the present disclosure has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments and examples thereof, other embodiments and equivalents are possible. Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present disclosure have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with functional and procedural details, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, within the principles of the disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms. Thus, various modifications are possible of the presently disclosed system and process without deviating from the intended scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, in one embodiment, such modifications of the presently explained disclosure are included in the scope of the present disclosure.

We Claim:
1. A method [200] for determining at least one fault in an air-conditioner, the
method [200] comprising:
measuring, by an air flow sensor [102], an air flow passing through a filter of the air-conditioner, wherein the air flow has an air flow data;
measuring, by a pressure sensor [103], a pressure of a refrigerant coming out of a cooling coil of the air-conditioner, wherein the pressure has a pressure data;
receiving, by a control unit [101], the air flow data from the air flow sensor and the pressure data from the pressure sensor;
comparing, by the control unit [101], the air flow data and the pressure data with a pre-defined air flow data and a pre-defined range of pressure data, respectively; and
determining, by the control unit [101], the fault in the air-conditioner in an event, at least one of:
the air flow data is lesser than the pre-defined air flow data, and
the pressure data of the refrigerant lies beyond the pre-defined range of the pressure data.
2. The method [200] as claimed in claim 1 further comprises, sending, by the control unit, an alert to at least one of a centralized remote server [106] and a user based on the determination of the fault via a communication module [104].
3. The method [200] as claimed in claim 2, wherein the centralized remote server [106] forwards the alert to the user.

4. The method [200] as claimed in claim 2, wherein the user receives the alert from the control unit [101] via at least one of a short-range communication and a long-range communication.
5. A system [100] for determining at least one fault in an air-conditioner, the system [100] comprises:
the air-conditioner comprising a filter, a cooling coil, and a refrigerant;
an air flow sensor [102] configured to measure an air flow passing through the filter of the air-conditioner wherein the air flow has an air flow data;
a pressure sensor [103] configured to measure a pressure of a refrigerant coming out of a cooling coil of the air-conditioner, wherein the pressure has a pressure data;
a control unit [101] configured to:
receive the air flow data from the air flow sensor [102] and pressure data from the pressure sensor [103],
compare the air flow data and pressure data with a pre-defined air flow data and a pre-defined range of pressure data, respectively; and
determine the fault in the air-conditioner in an event, at least one of, wherein
the air flow data is lesser than the pre-defined air flow data, and
the pressure data lies beyond the pre-defined range of the pressure data.
6. The system [100] as claimed in claim 5, wherein the control unit [101] is
further configured to send an alert based on the determination of the fault

to at least one of a centralized remote server [106] and a user via a communication module [104].
7. The system [100] as claimed in claim 6, wherein the centralized remote server [106] is further configured to send the alert to the user.
8. The system [100] as claimed in claim 6, wherein the control unit [101] is configured to send the alert to the user via at least one of a short-range communication and a long-range communication.