Method and control system for controlling a fluid regulation system with multiple fluid regulation units

Abstract

In a controller for a fluid regulation unit, a fluid regulation system with a plurality of fluid regulation units, and a method for preparing a fluid, each fluid regulation unit includes a unit controller configured to operate the fluid regulation unit. One unit controller of the plurality of unit controllers can function as a master control module and provide at least one operational setpoint for each of the unit controllers. The controller can include instructions stored therein that cause the controller to (i) operate as a unit controller that controls the fluid regulation unit and (ii) operate as a master controller. The method can include selecting a new unit controller to function as the master control module from the unit controllers of the plurality of fluid regulation units when the previous unit controller operating as the master control module for the fluid regulation system goes offline.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fluid regulation system, in particular a system with a plurality of fluid regulation units.The present invention also relates to a method and a control system for controlling a fluid regulation system. [Background technology]

[0002] To condition the air in large commercial and industrial spaces, multiple air conditioning units may be used in a single space, working together to condition, e.g., cool, the air within the space, and the multiple air conditioning units are collectively controlled to condition the space. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a fluid regulation system for regulating a fluid. The fluid regulation system includes a plurality of fluid regulation units. Each of the plurality of fluid regulation units is configured to regulate a fluid. Each of the plurality of fluid regulation units includes a unit controller configured to operate the fluid regulation unit. The unit controllers of the plurality of fluid regulation units are communicatively connected to each other. One of the plurality of unit controllers functions as a master control module. The master control module provides at least one operational setpoint to each of the unit controllers.

[0004] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a controller for a fluid regulation unit. The controller includes a processor and a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the controller to (i) operate as a unit controller that controls the fluid regulation unit based on at least one operational setpoint, and (ii) operate as a master controller. The controller is selectively operable as a master controller, and when operating as the master controller, the instructions cause the controller to output at least one operational setpoint.

[0005] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method for regulating a fluid using a fluid regulation system, the method comprising: a plurality of fluid regulation units; each fluid regulation unit of the plurality of fluid regulation units including a unit controller configured to operate the fluid regulation unit; the method including determining when a unit controller operating as a master control module of the fluid regulation system goes offline; the unit controller operating as the master control module is communicatively coupled to each of the unit controllers and provides at least one operational setpoint to each of the unit controllers; the method further includes selecting a new unit controller to function as the master control module from the unit controllers of the plurality of fluid regulation units.

[0006] These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a data center having an air conditioning system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A wiring diagram showing one of the air conditioning units of the air conditioning system shown in Figure 1 fluidly connected to a server room in a data center. [Figure 3] Wiring diagram of the control system for the air conditioning system shown in Figure 1 [Figure 4] Wiring diagram of the control system shown in Figure 3 when the unit controller acting as the master controller fails and goes offline. [Figure 5] Another wiring diagram of the control system for the air conditioning system shown in Figure 1 [Figure 6] Wiring diagram of the control system shown in Figure 5, showing one of the air conditioning units whose group has been changed. [Figure 7] Further wiring diagram of the control system for the air conditioning system shown in Figure 1 [Figure 8]The control system wiring diagram shown in Figure 7 shows one of the air conditioning units whose group has been changed. [Figure 9] Schematic diagram of a general-purpose computer DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] To condition the air in a space, multiple air conditioning units may operate in conjunction with one another. To enable these air conditioning units to operate in conjunction with one another, a master controller may be used to control the individual unit controllers of each of the air conditioning units. For example, for critical air conditioning systems, such as cooling systems used in data centers, a redundant controller is required in case the master controller fails. Having a master controller separate from the individual unit controllers and their redundant backup systems increases the complexity of the control system for the air conditioning system. Having a master controller separate from the individual unit controllers may present challenges in integrating the master controller and having the master controller operate the individual unit controllers. In the embodiments described herein, the air conditioning system includes multiple air conditioning units, each having a unit controller. All of the unit controllers are capable of operating as a master controller in addition to the unit controller. More specifically, each unit controller includes a master control module that provides control of the master controller, and one of the unit controllers functions as the master control module at a given time. If the master control module (or unit controller acting as the master control module) fails, the remaining unit controllers select another unit controller to act as (operate as) the master control module, thereby providing redundancy for critical systems without the added complexity of multiple separate master controllers.

[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a data center 100 having an air conditioning system 200 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. While air conditioning system 200 is illustrated and described for use within data center 100, air conditioning system 200 is not limited to this application and may be used in other suitable air conditioning applications. Additionally, air conditioning system 200 shown in this embodiment is a refrigeration system that cools the air supplied to data center 100. However, the embodiments described herein are applicable to and may be implemented with any fluid conditioning system, of which air conditioning system 200 is an example. Other suitable fluid conditioning systems include those that condition liquids or air. Examples of liquid conditioning systems include liquid refrigeration systems and liquid heating and cooling systems. Other examples of air conditioning systems include heating and cooling systems, dehumidification systems, and humidification systems.

[0010] Air conditioning system 200 includes multiple air conditioning units 202. As used herein, reference numeral 202 refers generically to the air conditioning units, and when referring to a specific air conditioning unit, a reference letter (such as a, b, c, d, e, or f) will be added to reference numeral 202 (e.g., first air conditioning unit 202a). As previously mentioned, the embodiments described herein are applicable to other fluid conditioning systems, and such systems may include multiple fluid conditioning units. Air conditioning unit 202 is an example of such a fluid conditioning unit, and the discussion of air conditioning unit 202 is also applicable to these fluid conditioning units.

[0011] Electronic components such as servers may be mounted on racks 112, and in the data center 100, these racks 112 may be arranged in rows forming aisles between them. The racks 112 may be installed in one or more server rooms 110 in the data center 100. The data center 100 shown in Figure 1 is a multi-floor data center 100 with multiple floors. In this embodiment, the data center 100 has two floors (a first floor 102 and a second floor 104) with at least one human-occupied server room 110 on each floor.

[0012] 2 is a wiring diagram illustrating one of the air conditioning units 202 fluidly connected to a server room 110 of data center 100. Server room 110 is an example of a space conditioned by air conditioning system 200. As previously mentioned, air conditioning system 200 is an air cooling system, and therefore air conditioning unit 202 is an air cooling unit fluidly connected to server room 110 to cool the air within server room 110. Air conditioning unit 202, shown schematically in FIG. 2, is the cooling system shown and described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2021 / 0368467, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, although any suitable cooling system may be used.

[0013] Cool supply air 122 from the cooling system is delivered to the data center 100, and more specifically, to the server room 110. As the air passes through the racks 112, it draws heat from the electronic components and cools them, resulting in hot air. The hot air is then returned to the air conditioning system 200 as hot return air 124. Supply air fans 126 are used to draw the return air 124 from the server room 110, pass it through the air conditioning units 202 where it is cooled, and then return the newly cooled return air 124 to the data center 100 as supply air 122. Supply air dampers 128 may be used to control the flow of supply air 122 into the server room 110.

[0014] The air conditioning unit 202 may be divided into two sections: an internal air handling unit 204 and an external condensing unit 206. The portion of the air conditioning unit 202 through which the return air 124 flows, is cooled, and returned as supply air 122 is referred to herein as the internal air handling unit 204. In this embodiment, at least one internal air handling unit 204 is located on one of the floors 102, 104 to cool electronic components located in racks 112 in the server rooms 110 on the corresponding floors 102, 104. Of course, other suitable arrangements of the air conditioning unit 202 may be used, such as where the entire air conditioning unit 202 is located outside the server room 110, for example, as a packaged unit, with air ducted between the server room 110 and the air conditioning unit 202.

[0015] The air conditioning unit 202 in this embodiment has two modes: passive mode and active mode. Passive mode is sometimes referred to as economizing mode. The air conditioning unit 202 utilizes an ambient free cooling sink (passive or economizing mode) and has the ability to provide active cooling (active mode) when the available ambient free cooling sink is not cool enough to provide sufficient heat rejection (active mode). This is accomplished by including two separate condensers 210, 220 operating in parallel. One condenser is referred to herein as the passive condenser 210 and is used in the passive (economy) mode. The other condenser is referred to herein as the active condenser 220 and is used in the active mode. The passive condenser 210 and the active condenser 220 are located within the external condensing unit 206.

[0016] The internal air handling device 204 includes an evaporator 230 through which hot return air 124 is delivered. The hot return air 124 evaporates a primary refrigerant contained within the evaporator 230 as the return air 124 passes over the exterior of the evaporator 230. The phase change of the primary refrigerant from a liquid phase to a gas (or vapor) phase cools the return air 124, which can be returned to the data center 100 as cool supply air 122. Depending on the mode, the evaporator 230 is fluidly connected to each of a passive condenser 210 and an active condenser 220, where the primary refrigerant is cooled and condensed before returning to the evaporator 230. The passive condenser 210 in this embodiment is a coil, and scavenge air 208 is drawn across the exterior of the passive condenser 210 by a scavenge fan 209 to cool and condense the primary refrigerant. In this embodiment, the scavenge air 208 is ambient air drawn from the outdoor environment surrounding the air conditioning unit 202 , and more particularly, the condensing unit 206 .

[0017] When ambient air conditions are insufficient to cool the return air 124 to the desired state (e.g., temperature) for the supply air 122, the air conditioning unit 202 can be operated in an active mode, where the primary cooling medium is condensed by the active condenser 220. In the active condenser 220, heat is transferred from the primary cooling medium to a secondary cooling medium in the secondary cooling system 240. This secondary cooling medium can be any suitable refrigerant, including, for example, chilled water or a vapor change refrigerant used in a direct expansion cooling system. In this embodiment, the secondary cooling system 240 is a direct expansion (DX) cooling system using a conventional refrigeration cycle, and the secondary cooling medium can be any suitable refrigerant used in such systems. The secondary cooling system 240 includes a compressor 242 for increasing the pressure and temperature of the secondary cooling medium before it is cooled in the condenser 244. In this embodiment, the condenser 244 of the secondary cooling system 240 can be cooled with scavenge air. The secondary refrigerant then passes through expansion valve 246 to reduce its pressure and temperature before entering active condenser 220 .

[0018] Each air conditioning unit 202 includes a unit controller 250 configured to operate the air conditioning unit 202. Specifically, the unit controller 250 is communicatively connected to sensors within the air conditioning unit 202 to receive data regarding the operation of the air conditioning unit 202. The unit controller 250 is also operably connected to various components of the air conditioning unit 202 to operate the air conditioning unit 202 to provide the supply air 122 at desired operating conditions. For example, the unit controller 250 may be operably connected to the supply air fan 126, the supply air damper 128, the scavenge fan 209, the compressor 242, the condenser 244, etc. Such components are examples of adjustable components of the air conditioning unit 202. As such, the unit controller 250 is operably connected to at least one adjustable component to adjust the operation of the adjustable component, which may be, for example, one of a fan, a compressor, a pump, a valve, a damper, and an electric heater. Such components may be adjusted through the use of drive mechanisms such as motors, including variable speed motors, and actuators; more particularly, the unit controller 250 may be operatively connected to the drive mechanisms to operate or adjust the drive mechanisms to adjust the operation of the adjustable components. Alternatively, or in addition, such components may be adjustable through the use of switches or relays. As described further below, the unit controller 250 is configured to adjust the operation of the at least one adjustable component based on at least one operational setpoint.

[0019] In this embodiment, unit controller 250 is a microprocessor-based controller that includes a processor 252 for performing the various functions described herein, and a memory 254 for storing various data. Controller 250, sometimes referred to as a central processing unit (CPU), may be a general-purpose computer 300 shown in and described with reference to FIG. 9. In one embodiment, the various methods described below may be implemented by a series of instructions stored in memory 254 and executed by processor 252.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a wiring diagram of a control system 260 for the air conditioning system 200. FIG. 3 schematically illustrates unit controllers 250 for six air conditioning units 202 (first air conditioning unit 202a, second air conditioning unit 202b, third air conditioning unit 202c, fourth air conditioning unit 202d, fifth air conditioning unit 202e, and sixth air conditioning unit 202f). The air conditioning units 202, and more specifically, the unit controllers 250 of each air conditioning unit 202, are communicatively connected to one another by a router network 262 in this embodiment. The unit controllers 250 of each air conditioning unit 202 are communicatively connected to a building management system 264 and / or user input devices 266 by the router network 262. The input devices 266 may be any suitable user input device, including, for example, a control panel such as a touchscreen control panel with a web interface. The building management system 264 may also be considered a unit controller.

[0021] A master controller is used to operate the air conditioning system 200. All unit controllers 250 have the capability to be a master controller. In this embodiment, each unit controller 250 includes a master control module 256. The master control module 256 may be a software module including a set of instructions stored in memory 254 that, when executed by the processor 252, causes the unit controller 250 to operate as a master controller in addition to operating as a unit controller 250 for each air conditioning unit 202. Thus, the master controller in this embodiment is not a separate controller, but rather a unit controller 250 with an active master control module 256; therefore, the master controller of this system is referred to herein as the unit controller functioning as the master control module 268.

[0022] 3, the unit controller 250 for the first air conditioning unit 202a functions as the master controller, and the master control module 256 of this unit controller 250 is active. The unit controllers 250 for the other air conditioning units 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, and 202f are operated by the master control module 256 (the unit controller 250 of the first air conditioning unit 202a) and are therefore operating as slave units with their master control modules 256 inactive at this time.

[0023] The unit controller functioning as the master control module 268 receives data from the building management system 264 and / or the input devices 266 to determine how the air conditioning system 200 should operate based on customer requirements. Such data is referred to herein as input data. For example, the unit controller functioning as the master control module 268 may receive desired set points from a user via the building management system 264 or the input devices 266. The unit controller functioning as the master control module 268 may also receive data for those set points, such as the desired temperature of the supply air 122, the airflow rate of the supply air 122, the temperature of the return air 124, the inlet temperature to the racks 112, and / or the outlet temperature from the racks 112. The sensors 114 may be used to provide such data. The sensors 114 are communicatively connected to the unit controller functioning as the master control module 268; in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the sensors 114 are indirectly connected to the unit controller functioning as the master control module 268 through the building management system 264. Alternatively, or in addition, each air conditioning unit 202 may include one or more sensors 116 connected through a router network 262 to a unit controller that serves as a master control module 268. Such a configuration ensures a distributed network of sensors that further increases the redundancy of the air conditioning system 200 by eliminating a single point of failure from a faulty sensor.

[0024] 3, all of the unit controllers 250 are communicatively coupled to the building management system 264 and the sensors 114, and therefore, multiple unit controllers 250, such as all of the unit controllers 250, may be configured to receive the input data. In some embodiments, each unit controller of the multiple unit controllers 250 may be configured to store the input data in its corresponding memory 254. In such embodiments, only the unit controller functioning as the master control module 268 acts on the data, but the other unit controllers 250 store the data in case the unit controller functioning as the master control module 268 fails, and a new unit controller 250 is selected to function as the master control module 268, as described further below.

[0025] The unit controller, functioning as the master control module 268, determines (sets) operational setpoints for each air conditioning unit 202 using customer requirements, desired setpoints, and / or other data from the sensors 114. The unit controller, functioning as the master control module 268, may be configured to set at least one operational setpoint based on input received from the building management system 264 and may be configured to set at least one operational setpoint based on information received from the sensors 114. The unit controller, functioning as the master control module 268, then provides at least one operational setpoint to each unit controller 250. The unit controller 250 then controls the air conditioning units 202, such as by adjusting the operation of at least one adjustable component, based on the at least one operational setpoint received from the unit controller, functioning as the master control module 268. The unit controller, functioning as the master control module 268, may provide different operational setpoints among the air conditioning units 202 to achieve desired conditions for the server room 110, for example. Even though the air conditioning units 202 have the same operating setpoints provided to them by the unit controller acting as the master control module 268, the unit controller acting as the master control module 268 does not directly control adjustable components by sending commands to adjust them internal to the air conditioning units 202. Instead, the unit controller 250 provides that level of control.

[0026] The unit controller 250 operates each air conditioning unit 202, allowing the air conditioning unit 202 to operate based on local conditions specific to that air conditioning unit 202. For example, the unit controller functioning as the master control module 268 can provide identical operating setpoints to the unit controllers 250 of the first and second air conditioning units 202a and 202b. Based on the received operating setpoints, the unit controller 250 of the first air conditioning unit 202a operates the first air conditioning unit 202a in an active mode, while the unit controller 250 of the second air conditioning unit 202b operates the second air conditioning unit 202b in a passive mode. Such a situation may arise, for example, when the first air conditioning unit 202a is located on the south side of the data center 100, while the second air conditioning unit 202b is located on the north side of the data center 100. At certain times of day, the first air conditioning unit 202a may be in the sun while the second air conditioning unit 202b is in the shade, causing the local ambient air temperature around the first air conditioning unit 202a to be higher than the local ambient air temperature around the second air conditioning unit 202b. Based on this difference in ambient air temperatures, the unit controller 250 of the first air conditioning unit 202a may operate the first air conditioning unit 202a differently than the unit controller 250 of the second air conditioning unit 202b operates the second air conditioning unit 202b.

[0027] In some embodiments, the unit controller functioning as the master control module 268 can turn the air conditioning units 202 on or off (selectively switch the air conditioning units 202 on or off). For example, the unit controller functioning as the master control module 268 can operate the first air conditioning unit 202a and the second air conditioning unit 202b, but turn off the third air conditioning unit 202c. Using these types of control, the unit controller functioning as the master control module 268 can rotate the air conditioning units 202 based, for example, on the duration of operation.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a wiring diagram of a control system 260 in which the unit controller 250 of a first air conditioning unit 202a has failed and is offline. If the air conditioning system 200 is operating in the configuration shown in FIG. 3 and the unit controller 250 of the first air conditioning unit 202a goes offline, the remaining unit controllers 250 select a new unit controller from the unit controllers 250 of the multiple air conditioning units 202 to function as the master control module. In FIG. 4, the remaining unit controllers 250 select the unit controller 250 of a second air conditioning unit 202b to function as the master control module, and the master control module 256 of the unit controller 250 is activated. Any suitable method may be used to select a new unit controller to function as the master control module 268. For example, each unit controller 250 may be assigned an identification number, and the operational unit controller 250 with the lowest identification number may become the unit controller to function as the master control module 268.

[0029] The unit controller functioning as the master control module 268 can periodically transmit the operational setpoints, regardless of whether the operational setpoints have changed. Each unit controller 250 receives the operational setpoints and stores them in memory 254. One way to determine that the unit controller functioning as the master control module 268 has failed or is offline is when the unit controller 250 does not receive the operational setpoints when expected (e.g., has not received the operational setpoints for a set period of time). However, other suitable methods may be used to determine when the unit controller functioning as the master control module 268 has failed or is otherwise offline. In one alternative method, the unit controller functioning as the master control module 268 periodically transmits a signal (heartbeat). If this heartbeat is not received by the unit controller 250, the unit controller 250 selects a new unit controller to function as the master control module. In another alternative method, each unit controller 250 has an identification code (ID). Each unit controller 250 collects IDs from the other unit controllers 250. When a unit controller functioning as the master control module 268 fails, the unit controller 250 does not collect unit IDs from that unit controller 250, and the unit controller 250 selects a new unit controller to function as the master control module.

[0030] As previously mentioned, the unit controller 250 may store the last operational setpoint it received in memory 254. When a new unit controller 250 begins operating as the new master control module, the unit controller acting as master control module 268 may provide the most recent operational setpoint stored in memory 254 as the operational setpoint until the new unit controller acting as master control module 268 can determine a new operational setpoint.

[0031] In some embodiments, the air conditioning units 202 can operate in groups. Figures 5 and 6 are wiring diagrams of a control system 270 for an air conditioning system 200 in which the air conditioning units 202 are organized in groups. The control system 270 of this embodiment is similar to the control system 260 described above with reference to Figures 3 and 4. The same reference numbers are used for components of the control system 270 of this embodiment that are the same as or similar to components of the control system 260 described above.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 5, the first air conditioning unit 202a, the second air conditioning unit 202b, and the third air conditioning unit 202c operate in a first group, while the fourth air conditioning unit 202d, the fifth air conditioning unit 202e, and the sixth air conditioning unit 202f operate in a second group. Within each group, one unit controller functions as the main control module 272, 274 for each group. In FIG. 5, the unit controller 250 for the first air conditioning unit 202a is the unit controller operating as the main control module 272 for the first group, and the unit controller 250 for the sixth air conditioning unit 202f is the unit controller operating as the main control module 274 for the second group. Within each group, the unit controller 250 and the unit controller functioning as the first group's main control module 272 or the unit controller functioning as the second group's main control module 274 operate in the same manner as the unit controller 250 and the unit controller functioning as the main control module 268 described above.

[0033] The control system 270 can be configured to move air conditioning units 202 between groups. For example, a unit controller functioning as the master control module 272 for a first group can send a request to a unit controller functioning as the master control module 274 for a second group to transfer one of the air conditioning units 202 from the second group to the first group. The unit controller functioning as the master control module 274 for the second group can then accept the request and transfer one of the air conditioning units 202 to the first group. This process can also begin with the unit controller functioning as the master control module 274 for the second group offering to move one of the air conditioning units 202 from the second group to the first group, and the unit controller functioning as the master control module 272 for the first group accepting the offer. As shown in FIG. 6 , for example, the fourth air conditioning unit 202d has been transferred from the second group to the first group using the process outlined above.

[0034] 7 and 8 are wiring diagrams of a control system 280 for an air conditioning system 200 in which the air conditioning units 202 are organized into multiple groups. The control system 280 in this embodiment is similar to the control system 270 described above with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. The same reference numerals are used for components of the control system 280 in this embodiment that are the same as or similar to components of the control system 270 described above. For embodiments with multiple groups and multiple unit controllers (one for each group) that function as master control modules, it may be beneficial to have a system-level master control. Therefore, in this embodiment, one of the unit controllers functions as the master control module 282 for the system. In FIG. 7, the unit controller 250 for the second air conditioning unit 202b functions as the master control module 282 for the system.

[0035] The unit controller functioning as the system's primary control module 282 provides operational set points to the unit controller functioning as the primary control module for each group (e.g., the unit controller functioning as the first group's primary control module 272 and the unit controller functioning as the second group's primary control module 274). The unit controller functioning as the system's primary control module 282 can provide operational set points to the unit controller functioning as the first group's primary control module 272 and the unit controller functioning as the second group's primary control module 274 in a manner similar to how the unit controller functioning as the primary control module 268 provides operational set points to each unit controller 250, as described above. Similarly, if the unit controller functioning as the system's primary control module 282 fails, a new unit controller can be selected to function as the system's primary control module 282 in a manner similar to the unit controller functioning as the primary control module 268, as described above.

[0036] The unit controller, acting as the system's master control module 282, can move air conditioning units 202 between groups. In Figure 8, the unit controller, acting as the system's master control module 282, moves the fourth air conditioning unit 202d from the second group to the first group.

[0037] 7 and 8, the unit controller that functions as the system's master control module 282 is a different unit controller 250 from the unit controller that functions as the first group's master control module 272 and the second group's master control module 274, although other configurations are possible. For example, a single unit controller 250 can function as both the system's master control module 282 and one of the group's master control modules (e.g., either the first group's master control module 272 or the second group's master control module 274).

[0038] FIG. 9 illustrates a general-purpose computer 300 (system) that can be used as the unit controller 250 described herein. The general-purpose computer 300 illustrated in FIG. 9 includes a processing unit (CPU or processor) 320 and a system bus 310 that connects various system components, including system memory 330, such as read-only memory (ROM) 340 and random access memory (RAM) 350, to the processor 320. The computer 300 may include a cache of high-speed memory directly connected to, adjacent to, or integrated as part of the processor 320. The computer 300 copies data from the memory 330 and / or storage device 360 ​​to the cache for quick access by the processor 320. In this way, the cache provides a performance boost that prevents the processor 320 from delaying while waiting for data. These and other modules can control or be configured to control the processor 320 to perform various actions. The memory 330 may include a number of different types of memory with different performance characteristics. It will be appreciated that the present disclosure may operate on a computer 300 having multiple processors 320, or a group or collection of computers networked together to provide greater processing power. Processor 320 may include any general-purpose processor and hardware or software modules, such as module 1 362, module 2 364, and module 3 366 stored in memory 360, configured to control processor 320, as well as special-purpose processors in which software instructions are incorporated into the actual processor design. Processor 320 may be substantially a fully self-contained computer system containing multiple cores or processors, buses, memory, controllers, caches, etc. Multi-core processors may be symmetric or asymmetric.

[0039] The system bus 310 may be any of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus configurations. A basic input / output system (BIOS), stored in ROM 340 or the like, may provide basic routines that help transfer information between elements within the computer 300, such as during start-up. The computer 300 further includes a storage device 360, such as a hard disk drive, magnetic disk drive, optical disk drive, or tape drive. The storage device 360 ​​may include software modules 362, 364, and 366 for controlling the processor 320. Other hardware or software modules are also contemplated. The storage device 360 ​​is connected to the system bus 310 by a drive interface. The drives and associated computer-readable storage media provide non-volatile storage of computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, and other data for the computer 300. In one embodiment, hardware modules performing a specific function include software components stored on tangible computer-readable storage media connected to the necessary hardware components, such as the processor 320, the bus 310, and the output devices 370, to perform that function. In another embodiment, the system may use a processor and a computer-readable storage medium to store instructions that, when executed by a processor (e.g., one or more processors), cause the processor to perform a method or other specific action. Depending on the type of device, such as whether computing device 300 is a small portable computer, a desktop computer, or a computer server, basic components and appropriate modifications are contemplated.

[0040] Although the exemplary embodiment described herein utilizes a hard disk as storage device 360, other types of computer-readable media capable of storing computer-accessible data may also be used in the exemplary operating environment, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital versatile disks, cartridges, random access memory (RAM) 350, and read-only memory (ROM) 340. Tangible computer-readable storage medium, computer-readable storage device, or computer-readable memory device expressly excludes media such as ephemeral waves, energy, carrier signals, electromagnetic waves, and the signals themselves.

[0041] To enable user interaction with computing device 300, input device 390 represents any number of input mechanisms, such as a microphone for speech, a touch-sensitive screen for gesture or graphical input, a keyboard, a mouse, etc. Output device 370 can also be one or more of numerous output devices known to those skilled in the art. In some cases, a multimodal system allows a user to provide multiple types of input to communicate with computing device 300. Communications interface 380 generally coordinates and manages user input and system output. There is no restriction on operation with any particular hardware configuration, and therefore, the basic features herein can be readily substituted as improved hardware or firmware configurations are developed.

[0042] The technology described herein refers to computer-based systems, and actions performed by, and information sent to, and received from, computer-based systems. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the inherent flexibility of computer-based systems allows for a wide variety of possible configurations, combinations, and divisions of tasks and functionality between and among components. For example, the processes described herein can be performed using a single computer or multiple computers operating in combination. Databases, memory, instructions, and applications can be implemented on a single system or distributed across multiple systems. Distributed components can operate sequentially or in parallel.

[0043] While the invention has been described in terms of specific exemplary embodiments, many additional modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of this disclosure. It is therefore to be understood that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. The exemplary embodiments of the invention are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being determined not by the foregoing description but by any claims supportable by this application and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 100 Data Centers 102 1st Floor 104 Second Floor 110 Server Room 112 racks 122 supply air 124 Return Air 126 Supply air fan 200 Air Conditioning System 202, 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f Air conditioning units 208 Scavenging 209 Scavenging fan 210 Passive Condenser 220 Active Condenser 230 Evaporator 240 Secondary Cooling System 242 Compressor 244 Condenser 246 Expansion valve 250 Unit Control Device 252, 320 processors 254 memory 256, 268, 272, 274, 282 Main Control Module 260, 270, 280 Control System 262 Router Network 264 Building Management System 266, 390 Input devices 300 General-purpose computers 310 System Bus 330 system memory 340 ROM 350 RAM 360 storage device 362, 364, 366 modules 370 Output Device 380 Communication Interface

Claims

1. 1. A fluid regulation system for regulating a fluid, comprising: a plurality of fluid conditioning units, each fluid conditioning unit configured to condition a fluid, each fluid conditioning unit of the plurality of fluid conditioning units including a unit controller configured to operate the fluid conditioning unit, the unit controllers of the plurality of fluid conditioning units being communicatively connected to one another; Equipped with A fluid regulation system wherein one unit controller of the plurality of unit controllers functions as a master control module, the master control module providing at least one operating set point to each of the unit controllers.

2. The fluid regulation system of claim 1 , wherein when a unit control device functioning as the main control module goes offline, the remaining unit control devices select a new unit control device to function as the main control module from the unit control devices of the plurality of fluid regulation units.

3. the master control module is configured to periodically provide the at least one operational set point to each of the unit controllers; The fluid regulation system of claim 1 , wherein each of the unit controllers includes a memory and is configured to store the at least one operational set point received by the unit controller from the main control module in the memory.

4. 4. The fluid regulation system of claim 3, wherein if at least one unit controller does not receive the at least one operational set point, the remaining unit controllers select a new unit controller from the unit controllers of the plurality of fluid regulation units to function as the master control module.

5. The fluid regulatory system of claim 4 , wherein the new master control module provides the at least one most recent operational set point stored in the memory as the at least one operational set point.

6. The fluid regulation system of claim 1 , wherein the master control module is configured to selectively switch fluid regulation units of the plurality of fluid regulation units on or off.

7. The fluid regulatory system of claim 1 , wherein the master control module is communicatively coupled to a user input device and configured to set the at least one operational set point based on input received from the user input device.

8. The fluid regulation system of claim 1 , wherein the master control module is communicatively coupled to a building management system and configured to set the at least one operational set point based on input received from the building management system.

9. The fluid regulatory system of claim 1 , wherein the master control module is communicatively coupled to at least one sensor and configured to set the at least one operational set point based on information received from the sensor.

10. 2. The fluid regulation system of claim 1, wherein each fluid regulation unit of the plurality of fluid regulation units includes at least one adjustable component, and a unit controller of the fluid regulation unit is operably connected to the at least one adjustable component to adjust operation of the at least one adjustable component based on the at least one operational set point received from the main control module.

11. The fluid regulation system of claim 10 , wherein the adjustable component is one of a fan, a compressor, a pump, a valve, a damper, an electric heater, an actuator, a motor, a switch, and a relay.

12. the plurality of fluid regulation units are a first group of fluid regulation units, and the unit controller functioning as the master control module is a master control module for the first group; the fluid regulation system comprising: a second group of a plurality of fluid regulating units, each unit of the second group of a plurality of fluid regulating units configured to regulate a fluid, each fluid regulating unit of the second group of a plurality of fluid regulating units including a unit controller configured to operate the fluid regulating unit, the unit controllers of the second group of a plurality of fluid regulating units being communicatively coupled to one another, one unit controller of the second group of a plurality of fluid regulating units acting as a master control module for the second group, the master control module providing at least one operational set point to each of the unit controllers of the second group; The fluid regulation system of claim 1 , further comprising:

13. The fluid regulation system of claim 12 , wherein one unit controller of the plurality of unit controllers in either the first group or the second group functions as a main control module for the fluid regulation system.

14. The fluid regulation system of claim 13 , wherein the master control module of the fluid regulation system is configured to change fluid regulation units from the first group of multiple fluid regulation units to the second group of multiple fluid regulation units.

15. 2. The fluid regulation system of claim 1, wherein the fluid is air and the plurality of fluid regulation units are a plurality of air conditioning units, each of the air conditioning units being fluidly connected to a space and configured to supply conditioned air to the space.

16. 1. A control device for a fluid regulation unit, comprising: processor, and A computer-readable storage medium, which when executed by the processor, causes the controller to: (i) operating as a unit controller that controls the fluid regulation unit based on at least one operational set point; (ii) acting as a master controller; a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions; Equipped with A controller for a fluid regulation unit, wherein the controller is selectively operable as a master controller, and when operating as the master controller, the command causes the controller to output the at least one operational set point.

17. The controller of claim 16 , wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores instructions for receiving the at least one operational set point.

18. The controller of claim 17 , wherein the computer-readable storage medium further stores instructions for causing the controller to execute instructions that cause the controller to operate as a master controller if the controller does not receive the at least one operational set point.

19. 1. A method of regulating a fluid using a fluid regulation system including a plurality of fluid regulation units, each fluid regulation unit of the plurality of fluid regulation units including a unit controller configured to operate the fluid regulation unit; determining when a unit controller acting as a master control module of the fluid regulatory system goes offline, the unit controller acting as the master control module being communicatively coupled to each of the unit controllers and providing at least one operational set point to each of the unit controllers; and selecting a new unit controller to function as the master control module from unit controllers of the plurality of fluid regulation units; A method comprising:

20. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the master control module is configured to periodically provide the at least one operational set point to each of the unit controllers, and the unit controller acting as the master control module is determined to be offline when at least one unit controller does not receive the at least one operational set point.

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