Plant with at least one flow generation unit and method for its operation

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (10) and a method (V) for operating the system (10). The system (10) has at least one flow generation unit (11) for generating a fluid flow (F), for example, at least one fan (19) for generating an air flow (L). Integrated into or outside the at least one flow generation unit (11), the system (10) has at least one evaluation module (25) which is communicatively connected to a control module (14) of the at least one flow generation unit (11). Each flow generation unit (11) has a control module (14) which is configured to control the operation of a motor (12) of the respective flow generation unit (11) and thus controls or regulates the generated fluid flow (F). The at least one evaluation module (25) determines one or more environmental parameters (U), e.g.,an ambient temperature (UT) or a geographical position (UG) of the installation location of the at least one flow generation unit (11). Based on the at least one ambient parameter (U), the at least one evaluation module (25) determines at least one continuous operating limit value (G), which is thus adaptive. Based on the at least one continuous operating limit value (G), the control module (14) controls the motor (12).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a system comprising at least one flow generation unit. The flow generation unit is configured to generate a fluid flow. The flow generation unit can be, for example, a pump or a fan. The invention also relates to a method for operating such a system.

[0002] To prevent damage to the flow generation unit and excessive wear, one or more continuous operation limits are specified for one or more operating parameters, which can be stored, in particular by the manufacturer, in a control device of the flow generation unit. The flow generation unit can be operated within a range limited by the at least one continuous operation limit.

[0003] US Patent No. 9,690,340 B2 describes a mobile electronic device equipped with sensors. The sensors are intended to detect, for example, physical contact between the device and a person, and then adjust power and surface temperature limits so that the temperature does not become too high in the event of contact with the person.

[0004] US 2007 / 0027580 A1 describes a device that is able to derive a current state based on environmental parameters and then adapt thermal management, for example if a hot, dry environment has been detected or if the device is in flight mode.

[0005] It can be considered an object of the present invention to provide a system with at least one flow generation unit which has an improved range of application.

[0006] This object is achieved by a system having the features of patent claim 1 and a method having the features of patent claim 14.

[0007] The system according to the invention has at least one flow generation unit for generating a fluid flow. The fluid flow can be a gas flow, in particular an air flow, or a liquid flow. Accordingly, the at least one flow generation unit can be, for example, a fan or a pump.

[0008] The system and at least the at least one flow generation unit are stationary devices. The flow generation unit is not a mobile device that can be carried by an operator. Rather, the at least one flow generation unit is, in particular, a component of an immobile installation on or in a building. The system according to the invention can be, for example, an air conditioning and / or heating system and / or cooling system for a building or for parts of a building or for devices that are permanently installed on or in a building.

[0009] Each flow generation unit of the system has a controllable motor, preferably an electric motor. For example, the motor can drive a rotor of the flow generation unit to rotate around a rotational axis.

[0010] The system also has at least one evaluation module. Each flow generation unit is assigned to the evaluation module or one of the existing evaluation modules. Each flow generation unit has a control module. The control module is connected to the associated evaluation module via communication.

[0011] The term "module" refers to an electrical and / or electronic component or an assembly comprising several electrical and / or electronic components, which may, in particular, include a processor for executing software instructions. Each module may therefore include hardware and / or software components.

[0012] The control module is configured to control the motor of the respective flow generation unit based on at least one continuous operation limit. Each continuous operation limit relates to an associated parameter or operating parameter of the respective flow generation unit, and in particular of the motor. The at least one continuous operation limit defines a permissible continuous operation range, which may not be exceeded or may only be exceeded briefly for a predetermined maximum period of time. The at least one continuous operation limit is specified to protect the flow generation unit from damage and excessive wear. This is intended to prevent failure and a significantly shortened service life of the flow generation unit.

[0013] The at least one continuous operation limit value is variable according to the invention. The at least one evaluation module of the system is configured to determine the at least one continuous operation limit value for the continuous operation of each flow generation unit, in particular each motor of the flow generation units. To do this, the evaluation module first determines at least one environmental parameter. Determining the at least one environmental parameter can comprise one or more of the following procedures: - Receiving the environmental parameter, several or all of the environmental parameters used in the evaluation module via a network or a communication connection from an external source (e.g. from a sensor or other suitable external device), - Determining the environmental parameter, several or all of the environmental parameters used in the evaluation module by calculating and / or estimating and / or in another suitable manner, in particular from at least one other environmental parameter and / or at least one parameter characterizing the operation of the flow generation unit, several or all of the flow generation units.

[0014] The at least one continuous operation limit value is determined as a function of the at least one environmental parameter and then provided to the at least one control module and used by the control module in controlling the respective flow generation unit and in particular the motor.

[0015] In this way, it is possible to adapt and use the continuous operation limit to the at least one environmental parameter. This allows for optimal utilization of the application range of the at least one flow generation unit in question, and in particular of the respective motor. Excessively strict continuous operation limit values, which would not be necessary based on the current environmental conditions, can thus be avoided. The at least one continuous operation limit is adaptive with respect to its environment, which is characterized by the at least one environmental parameter.

[0016] One or more of the following parameters can be used as an environmental parameter in any combination: - an ambient temperature of the atmosphere surrounding the installation, - a humidity of the atmosphere surrounding the plant, - an air pressure of the atmosphere surrounding the facility, - a geographical position (in particular the geographical longitude and latitude and / or the altitude above sea level) of the installation site of the equipment, - a geographical position of the at least one flow generation unit, for example if the flow generation unit and other parts of the plant are arranged at different geographical locations.

[0017] The at least one evaluation module can be communicatively connected to a network. The network can be a local area network (LAN), a regional area network (WAN), or a global network (Internet or World Wide Web). The communication connection to the network can be wireless and / or wired and based on known communication protocols. The at least one environmental parameter can be provided to the at least one evaluation module via the network.

[0018] Additionally or alternatively, the evaluation module and / or the control module, or several or all control modules, can be configured to receive and optionally evaluate an external signal to determine a geographical position as an environmental parameter. The external signal can, for example, be a position signal from a satellite navigation system.

[0019] Additionally or alternatively, the system and / or the at least one flow generation unit may comprise one or more sensors which are each configured to detect an environmental parameter.

[0020] In one embodiment, the evaluation module or one of the existing evaluation modules and the control module or one of the existing control modules can be a common component of a flow generation unit and, in particular, form a jointly manageable assembly of the flow generation unit or one of the flow generation units. Only one flow generation unit, or several or all flow generation units, can have an evaluation module.

[0021] Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible for the evaluation module or one of the existing or all evaluation modules to be arranged outside the at least one flow generation unit and to be communicatively connected to the one or more control modules of the at least one flow generation unit.

[0022] If the at least one evaluation module is implemented separately from the at least one control module, it can be located remotely from the at least one flow generation unit, for example, at a geographical location that differs from the geographical location (e.g., longitude and / or latitude) of the at least one flow generation unit. In such a case, the evaluation module can be an internet service or cloud service.

[0023] It is optionally possible for several or all existing flow generation units of the same plant and / or different plants to be communicatively connected. The communication connection can be implemented in any known way, e.g., via a wireless and / or wired connection to a network (LAN, WLAN, WAN, Internet, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, the flow generation units installed at a common installation location can be communicatively connected via a local bus system (e.g., fieldbus system).

[0024] The flow generation units connected to one another by communication can preferably be configured to exchange data with one another. The data can, in particular, comprise the at least one environmental parameter and / or the at least one continuous operation limit value. Additionally or alternatively, the data can contain, in any combination, one or more of the following data: - at least one lifetime parameter describing a remaining lifetime of an associated flow generation unit, - at least one operating time parameter, which describes a total operating time of an associated flow generation unit during which the flow generation unit has been in operation since initial commissioning, - at least one service parameter that describes a time and / or extent of maintenance and / or repair of a respective associated flow generation unit, - at least one historical operating data parameter describing historical operating data of a respective associated flow generation unit, - at least one current operating data parameter that describes current operating data of a respective associated flow generation unit, - at least one parameter derived from at least one of the above-mentioned parameters.

[0025] It is advantageous if the at least one evaluation module and / or the at least one control module is capable of learning. For this purpose, the at least one evaluation module and / or the at least one control module can be configured for supervised and / or unsupervised machine learning and execute corresponding algorithms. For this purpose, the at least one evaluation module and / or the at least one control module can have any known configuration, in particular an AI configuration, such as an artificial neural network and / or a support vector machine and / or any other known configuration for machine learning, for example for so-called "deep learning."

[0026] The module(s) in question can be trained based on expert knowledge or learning data before commissioning at the respective installation site and / or learn during operation.

[0027] As already mentioned, it can be advantageous if at least one of the existing flow generation units, and preferably all flow generation units, has or have at least one sensor. The sensor can be configured to measure an operating parameter of the respective flow generation unit, which can be referred to as an internal operating parameter, and to provide a sensor signal describing the measured operating parameter, which can be referred to as an internal sensor signal. The internal sensor signal can be provided by the control module of the same flow generation unit for controlling or regulating the generated fluid flow. It can optionally also be transmitted outside the respective flow generation unit within the system to at least one further control module and / or to at least one evaluation module, or made available for retrieval.

[0028] For example, at least one internal sensor may be present to detect one or more of the following (internal) operating parameters: - a temperature of the flow generation unit in question, in particular a temperature of the motor and / or a temperature of the control module; - a temperature of a device to which the fluid flow of the flow generation unit in question is supplied (for example, a device to be tempered by means of the fluid flow), - a pressure downstream of the flow generation unit in question and / or a pressure upstream of the flow generation unit in question; - a flow velocity upstream and / or downstream of the flow generation unit in question.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, each control module is configured to determine an internal control parameter for the operation of the respective controlled engine. The determination of the at least one internal control parameter is based on a control function and preferably additionally on the at least one internal operating parameter and / or the at least one continuous operation limit value. The control function can be configured such that the at least one internal control parameter is calculated and / or estimated and / or determined in any other suitable manner. For example, at least one internal control parameter can be determined using the control function and the at least one internal operating parameter and—if necessary—limited by the at least one continuous operation limit value.

[0030] The control function can be specified in any desired way, for example as a mathematical function or formula, as a characteristic curve, as a map, as a table or any combination thereof.

[0031] The control function can be fixedly specified for the respective control module or can be modified and, in particular, updated. The control function can be adapted, for example, during operation of the system through monitored and / or unmonitored machine learning of the respective control module and / or the evaluation module assigned to this control module.

[0032] In one embodiment, the control module of the respective flow generation unit may be configured to determine one or more of the following internal control parameters: - an amount and / or an amplitude and / or a frequency of a motor current for the motor, - an amount and / or an amplitude and / or a frequency of a motor voltage for the motor, - an electrical power for the motor, - an engine speed for the engine.

[0033] Any embodiment of the system described above can be operated as follows:

[0034] The at least one evaluation module determines the at least one environmental parameter, which includes, for example, the geographical position of the installation location of the at least one flow generation unit or the entire system and / or an ambient temperature.

[0035] Based on the at least one environmental parameter, the at least one evaluation module determines at least one continuous operation limit for the continuous operation of the motor of the at least one flow generation unit. At least one continuous operation limit can be determined for one, several, or all control parameters used to control the motor, for example, an upper continuous operation limit and / or a lower continuous operation limit.

[0036] The at least one continuous operation limit is provided to the control module of the respective flow generation unit. The control module can then use the provided continuous operation limit(s) when controlling the associated motor of the flow generation unit.

[0037] In all embodiments of the system or method, one or more of the following limit values ​​can be used in any combination as the continuous operation limit value: - a maximum value of a motor current and / or a motor voltage, - a maximum amplitude of a motor current and / or a motor voltage, - a maximum electrical power of the motor, - a maximum engine speed of the engine, - a maximum engine torque of the engine, - a maximum acceleration of the rotor of the motor or the rotor of the flow generator (e.g. fan rotor), - a maximum pressure or a maximum flow velocity downstream of the flow generation unit, - a maximum temperature of the motor, in particular of a winding of the motor, - a maximum temperature of the control module.

[0038] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a block diagram of an embodiment of a system comprising at least one flow generation unit with a control module and at least one evaluation module, Fig. 2 a block diagram for determining a control parameter using an evaluation module and a control module of the system from Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for operating the system according to Fig. 1.

[0039] Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a system 10. The system 10 has at least one flow generation unit 11. The number of flow generation units 11 can vary, wherein in Fig. 1 shows only three flow generation units 11 by way of example. The flow generation units 11 each have a motor and, for example, a rotationally driven electric motor 12. The electric motor 12 is drive-connected to a rotor 13 of a flow generator and can drive this rotor 13 in rotation to generate a fluid flow F.

[0040] The fluid flow F can be a liquid flow or a gas flow. In the exemplary embodiment, the at least one flow generation unit 11 is a fan 19 for generating a gas flow, for example, an air flow L.

[0041] To control the motor 12, each flow generation unit 11 has a control module 14. To control the motor 12, the control module 14 can determine at least one control parameter and control the motor 12 based on this control parameter. The control parameter can be referred to as an individual or internal control parameter Ci, since it is an individual control parameter of the respective flow generation unit 11. As an internal control parameter Ci, for example, at least an electrical parameter can be used, by means of which the operation of the motor 12 can be influenced, such as a magnitude of a motor voltage and / or a motor current, a frequency of the motor voltage and / or the motor current, an amplitude of the motor voltage and / or the motor current, etc.

[0042] One, several, or all flow generation units 11 can each have a sensor communicatively connected to the respective control module 14, which sensor can be referred to as an internal sensor 15. One, several, or all flow generation units 11 can also have several internal sensors 15. The at least one internal sensor 15 is configured to detect an operating parameter of the respective flow generation unit 11—which can be referred to as an internal operating parameter—and to provide a sensor signal describing this internal operating parameter to the control module 14, which sensor signal can be referred to as an internal sensor signal Si. The control module 14 can be configured to determine the internal control parameter Ci for controlling the motor 12, inter alia, depending on at least one internal sensor signal Si.

[0043] By means of the at least one internal sensor 15, at least one or more of the following internal operating parameters can be detected in any combination as an internal operating parameter: - a motor temperature of the motor 12, in particular a motor winding on the stator of the motor 12, - a control module temperature of the control module 14, - a temperature of the fluid flow F downstream of the rotor 13 of the flow generation unit 11, - a temperature of a device to which the fluid flow F is supplied downstream of the flow generation unit 11, - a motor speed of the rotor of the motor 12, - an engine torque of the engine 12, - an amount and / or an amplitude and / or a frequency of a motor current for the motor 12, - an amount and / or an amplitude and / or a frequency of a motor voltage for the motor 12, - a pressure of the fluid in the fluid flow F downstream of the rotor 13 of the flow generation unit 11, - a pressure of the fluid upstream of the rotor 13 of the flow generation unit 11, - a flow velocity of the fluid flow F downstream of the rotor 13 of the flow generation unit 11.

[0044] By detecting the at least one internal operating parameter, a closed control loop can also be formed in the relevant flow generation unit 11 for this at least one internal operating parameter, for example in order to control a parameter of the fluid flow F (pressure and / or flow velocity).

[0045] As shown schematically in Fig. 1, the control module 14 may include, for example, a microprocessor 16, a memory 17, and optionally a non-volatile memory 18. The microprocessor 16 and the at least one memory 17, 18 are communicatively connected and can exchange data, commands, parameters, etc., as required or advantageous during operation of the control module 14.

[0046] For example, a control function Cf can be stored in the non-volatile memory 18, which the control module 14 uses to control the motor 12 and thus to determine the at least one internal control parameter Ci ( Fig. 1 and Fig. 2).

[0047] The control function Cf can be defined by a mathematical algorithm or formula and / or a characteristic curve and / or a characteristic map and / or a lookup table, or in another suitable manner. The control function Cf can be fixed or optionally updatable and / or modifiable.

[0048] As it is in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the flow generation units 11 of the system 10 can be communicatively connected to one another, for example, via a bus system 22 or any other suitable communication connection. The communication connection can be wireless and / or wired.

[0049] The system 10 also has at least one evaluation module 25. The evaluation module 25 is communicatively connected to at least one of the existing control modules 14. It is sufficient for the system 10 to have a single evaluation module 25 for all flow generation units 11 or all control modules 14. Alternatively, the existing control modules 14 can form two or more groups, with each group of control modules 14 being communicatively connected to a separate evaluation module 25.

[0050] The at least one evaluation module 25 is in the Fig. 1, the flow generating units 11 are arranged outside the existing flow generating units 11 and can therefore be arranged at the installation site away from the flow generating units 11. Alternatively, it is also possible for an existing evaluation module 25 or several existing evaluation modules 25 to be part of one of the existing flow generating units 11 (illustrated by dashed lines in Fig. 1). An evaluation module 25 and a control module 14 can therefore, for example, form a common structural unit.

[0051] As it is in Fig. 1, each evaluation module 25 can be separately communicatively connected to the at least one associated control module 14 (star architecture) or, for example, communicatively connected to the at least one control module 14 via the bus system 22 or another communication connection. Analogous to the communication connection between the control modules 14, the communication connection between the at least one evaluation module 25 and the at least one control module 14 can also be wireless and / or wired.

[0052] The evaluation module 25 is configured to receive at least one environmental parameter U or a signal describing this environmental parameter U and / or to determine at least one environmental parameter U. One or more of the following parameters can be used as the environmental parameter U in any combination: - an ambient temperature UT of the atmosphere in the environment of the system 10 and / or the at least one flow generation unit 11, - an ambient pressure UP of the atmosphere in the environment of the system 10 or of the at least one flow generation unit 11, - an ambient humidity UH in the atmosphere surrounding the system 10 or the at least one flow generation unit 11, - a geographical position (e.g. geographical longitude and geographical latitude) of the installation location of the system 10 and / or of the at least one flow generation unit 11.

[0053] One environmental parameter U, several environmental parameters U, or all environmental parameters U can be provided to the evaluation module 25, for example via a wireless and / or a wired communication connection, in particular a communication connection with an internet service 26 (can also be referred to as a cloud service). Via the internet service 26, for example, local weather data or position data (geographical position of the installation location) can be received or determined therefrom, which can serve as environmental parameters U. In addition to or alternatively to the internet service 26, the at least one evaluation module 25 can be configured to receive data or signals from external devices, for example to receive a position signal, in particular a satellite navigation signal.Additionally or alternatively, the at least one evaluation module 25 can be connected to one or more sensors in order to detect one, several or all environmental parameters U.

[0054] In one embodiment, the at least one evaluation module 25 can determine one or more environmental parameters U based on available data and parameters. For example, internal sensor signals Si and / or internal control parameters Ci of the at least one flow generation unit 11 can be provided to the at least one evaluation module 25, and at least one environmental parameter U can be calculated or estimated therefrom or determined in another suitable manner. For example, an ambient pressure UP in the environment of the flow generation unit 11 can be deduced from the operating state of the motor 12 (motor current and / or motor voltage and / or motor speed) and a pressure downstream of the rotor 13. Another example is the determination of the ambient temperature UT based on the motor temperature and the operating state of the motor 12 (characterized in particular by the electrical and / or mechanical motor power).

[0055] The at least one evaluation module 25 is configured to determine, based on the at least one environmental parameter U, one or more continuous operation limit values ​​G for the operation of the motor 12 of each flow generation unit 11 of the system 10 and to provide them to the control module 14 of each flow generation unit 11. The at least one continuous operation limit value G is not fixed, but is adaptively adjusted to the at least one environmental parameter U. As a result, the available potential of the at least one flow generation unit 11 can be substantially fully utilized during operation of the system 10, adapted to the respective environment of the system 10 or the respective flow generation unit 11.

[0056] The system 10 is a stationary system. It can be an air conditioning system, a heating system, or a cooling system. The at least one flow generation unit 11 is arranged stationary at an installation location in or on a building. The at least one evaluation module 25 can be located at the installation location of the at least one flow generation unit 11 or, alternatively, remotely therefrom. The at least one evaluation module 25 can thus provide its function at the installation location of the at least one flow generation unit 11 (e.g., as a component of a flow generation unit 11 or as a module separate from the at least one flow generation unit 11) or remotely from the installation location of the at least one flow generation unit 11 (e.g., in the form of an internet service or cloud service) for the system 10 or for multiple systems 10.

[0057] The functionality of system 10 is shown in the block diagram of the Fig. 2 is shown highly schematically. The at least one evaluation module 25 receives and / or detects and / or determines at least one environmental parameter U and calculates therefrom at least one continuous operation limit value G for the operation of the motor 12 of the at least one flow generation unit 11. The at least one continuous operation limit value G can be the same for all flow generation units 11 or it can be specified differently for two or more of the flow generation units 11. For example, a data set comprising at least one continuous operation limit value G can be determined for each flow generation unit 11. The same data sets can be used for flow generation units 11 of the same type.

[0058] The control module 14 receives the data set with the at least one continuous operation limit value G and takes the at least one continuous operation limit value G into account when determining the control parameter Ci for the motor 12 of the respective flow generation unit 11.

[0059] This measure allows the engine power to be optimally adapted to the respective ambient conditions, and excessively narrowly specified continuous operation limits, which unnecessarily restrict the performance of the flow generation unit 11, can be avoided. At the same time, it is ensured that the at least one continuous operation limit G is adapted to the current ambient conditions in such a way that excessive wear or damage to the at least one flow generation unit 11 can be avoided.

[0060] Using the ambient temperature UT as an example, it is illustrated below in the form of a table that the at least one evaluation module 25 can define a data set with several continuous operation limit values ​​G. The continuous operation limit values ​​G of the data set include, for example, a maximum speed n max of the motor 12 and / or the rotor 13, a maximum electrical or mechanical or thermal motor power P max of the engine 12, a maximum engine temperature TM max , a maximum control module temperature TC max , as shown in the table below: UT n max P max TM max TC max 30 4000 rpm 4000 W 120 °C 100 °C 40 3500 rpm 4000 W 120 °C 100 °C 50 3000 rpm 4000 W 120 °C 100 °C 60 2500 rpm 3000 W 120 °C 100 °C 70 2000 rpm 3000 W 120 °C 100 °C

[0061] As an example, the table shows that the continuous operation limits UG for the maximum speed n max and the maximum engine power P max can be adapted to the ambient temperature UT.

[0062] In Fig.3 schematically illustrates a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method V describing the operation of any embodiment of the system 10.

[0063] In a first method step V1, at least one environmental parameter U is determined by the evaluation module 25, wherein the determination comprises both receiving one or more environmental parameters U and / or calculating or estimating one or more environmental parameters U.

[0064] Following the first method step V1, in a second method step V2, at least one continuous operation limit value G is determined based on the at least one environmental parameter U determined in the first method step V1. The at least one continuous operation limit value G is provided to the associated control module 14 or the associated control modules 14.

[0065] The control module 14 uses the respective current at least one continuous operation limit value G to control the motor 12 (third method step V3). For this purpose, in particular, a control function Cf and the at least one continuous operation limit value G can be linked to one another in a suitable manner, and the at least one internal control parameter Ci for controlling the motor 12 can be determined therefrom. The determination of the at least one control parameter Ci can optionally also depend on the at least one internal sensor signal Si.

[0066] Each evaluation module 25 and / or each control module 14 can be a hardware and / or software component. In particular, each module 14, 25 can execute supervised and / or unsupervised machine learning algorithms and can have any suitable artificial intelligence (AI) structure for this purpose, such as an artificial neural network and / or a support vector machine.

[0067] In this case, it is possible, for example, to optimize the determination of at least one environmental parameter U and / or at least one continuous operation limit value G through machine learning. In this context, it is advantageous if the evaluation module 25 is communicatively connected to several control modules 14, so that a large amount of data is available. It is also possible to provide the evaluation module 25 as an internet service or cloud service and to connect control modules 14 of flow generation units 11 of several systems 10 to a common evaluation module 25. With such an embodiment, a large number of flow generation units 11 of one or more systems 10 can provide operating data for the evaluation module 25, which then receives a large amount of data for machine learning. It is understood that the continuous operation limit values ​​G for the flow generation units 11 of different systems 10 can differ from one another.

[0068] The invention relates to a system 10 and a method V for operating the system 10. The system 10 has at least one flow generation unit 11 for generating a fluid flow F, for example at least one fan 19 for generating an air flow L. Integrated into the at least one flow generation unit 11 or outside the at least one flow generation unit 11, the system 10 has at least one evaluation module 25, which is communicatively connected to a control module 14 of the at least one flow generation unit 11. Each flow generation unit 11 has a control module 14, which is configured to control the operation of a motor 12 of the respective flow generation unit 11 and thus controls or regulates the generated fluid flow F. The at least one evaluation module 25 determines one or more environmental parameters U, e.g.an ambient temperature UT or a geographical position UG of the installation location of the at least one flow generation unit 11. Based on the at least one environmental parameter U, the at least one evaluation module 25 determines at least one continuous operation limit value G, which is thus adaptive. Based on the at least one continuous operation limit value G, the control module 14 controls the motor 12. List of reference symbols: 10 Appendix 11 Flow generation unit 12 Engine 13 Rotor of the flow generation unit 14 Control module 15 internal sensor 16 microprocessor 17 RAM 18 non-volatile memory 19 Fan 22 Bus system 25 Evaluation module 26 Internet service 27 Network Cf control function Ci internal control parameter F Fluid flow G Continuous operating limit L Air flow Si internal sensor signal U Environmental parameters UG geographical position UH ambient humidity UP ambient pressure UT ambient temperature V Procedure V1 first process step V2 second process step V3 third process step QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 9 690 340 B2

[0003] US 2007 / 0027580 A1

[0004]

Claims

[1] System (10) with at least one flow generation unit (11) for generating a fluid flow (F), comprising: - a controllable motor (12) in each flow generation unit (11), - at least one evaluation module (25) which is configured to receive and / or determine at least one environmental parameter (U) and to determine at least one continuous operation limit value (G) for the continuous operation of the engine (12) based on the at least one environmental parameter (U), - a control module (14) for each flow generation unit (11), which is communicatively connected to the evaluation module (25) or one of the evaluation modules (25) and is configured to control the motor (12) of the same flow generation unit (11) based on the at least one continuous operation limit value (G). [2] Plant according to claim 1, wherein the at least one environmental parameter (U) comprises one or more of the following parameters: - an ambient temperature (UT) of the atmosphere surrounding the installation (10) and / or the at least one flow generation unit (11), - an ambient humidity (UH) of the atmosphere surrounding the installation (10) and / or the at least one flow generation unit (11), - an ambient pressure (UP) of the atmosphere surrounding the system (10) and / or the at least one flow generation unit (11), - a geographical position (UG) of the system (10) and / or of the at least one flow generation unit (11). [3] System according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one evaluation module (25) is communicatively connected to a network (27) via which the at least one environmental parameter (U) is provided to the at least one evaluation module (25). [4] System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in at least one of the existing flow generation units (11) the evaluation module (25) and control module (14) are implemented together in a central module. [5] System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in at least one of the existing flow generation units (11) the evaluation module (25) is arranged outside the at least one flow generation unit (11). [6] Plant according to one of the preceding claims, wherein several or all existing flow generation units (11) are communicatively connected. [7] Plant according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow generation units (11) which are connected to one another by communication are designed to exchange data with one another, comprising in particular the at least one environmental parameter (U) and / or the at least one continuous operation limit value (G). [8] System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one evaluation module (25) and / or the at least one control module (14) is capable of learning based on learning data provided to the at least one evaluation module (25) and / or the at least one control module (14). [9] System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the existing flow generation units (11) has at least one internal sensor (15) which is designed to measure an internal operating parameter of the respective flow generation unit (11) and to provide an internal sensor signal (Si) for the at least one evaluation module (25) and / or the control module (14) of the respective flow generation unit (11), which internal sensor signal characterizes the measured internal operating parameter. [10] System according to claim 9, wherein the control module (14) of the respective flow generation unit (11) is configured to determine at least one internal control parameter (Ci) for the operation of the motor (12) based on a control function (Cf), the at least one internal operating parameter and the at least one continuous operation limit value (G). [11] System according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the at least one evaluation module (25) is configured to determine one or more environmental parameters based on at least one internal sensor signal (Si) and / or at least one internal control parameter (Ci). [12] System according to claim 11, wherein the control module (14) of the respective flow generation unit (11) is configured to determine one or more of the following internal control parameters (Ci): an amount and / or an amplitude and / or a frequency of a motor current, an amount and / or an amplitude and / or a frequency of a motor voltage, an electrical power of the motor (12), a motor speed. [13] System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the flow generation units (11) is a fan (19) for generating an air flow (L). [14] Method (V) for operating a system (10) with at least one flow generation unit (11) for generating a fluid flow (F) and with at least one evaluation module (25), wherein each flow generation unit (11) has a controllable motor (12) and a control module (14) for controlling the motor (12), the method comprising the following steps: - receiving and / or determining at least one environmental parameter (U) by the at least one evaluation module (25), - determining at least one continuous operation limit value (G) for the continuous operation of the motor (12) of the at least one flow generation unit (11) based on the at least one environmental parameter (U) by the at least one evaluation module (25), - Providing at least one continuous operation limit value (G) for the control module (14) or several of the control modules (14) which is or are communicatively connected to the evaluation module (25), - Controlling the motor (12) by means of the control module (14) of the common flow generation unit (11) based on the at least one continuous operation limit value (G).

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