Actuator controller
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
HVAC system actuators face challenges in extending battery life due to high power intake, which is influenced by various parameters including start/stop frequencies, direction reversals, and communication with controllers, leading to increased maintenance and replacement costs.
Innovation Solution
An actuator controller that compares operation amplitudes to a threshold value, only allowing the actuator to move if the amplitude exceeds the threshold, and optionally moving by a fraction of the indicated amplitude, thereby reducing unnecessary operations and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the actuator operates frequently to respond to control signals, then the valve position control responsiveness is improved, but the battery life deteriorates due to increased power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs partial actions by comparing the amplitude of position changes against a threshold before executing actuator operations. Only when the amplitude exceeds the threshold does the actuator move, eliminating minor unnecessary operations that would consume battery power while maintaining effective control responses
2Manufacturing precision
If the actuator moves by the full indicated amplitude, then the valve position accuracy is improved, but the battery life deteriorates due to excessive operations
Solution Approach 1:
The controller applies partial action by moving the actuator by a fraction of the indicated amplitude rather than the full amount. This reduces the number and intensity of actuator operations while still achieving the necessary valve position adjustment, thereby extending battery life without completely sacrificing positioning capability
Solution Approach 2:
The controller modifies the amplitude parameter of actuator operations by applying a fraction (e.g., 0.5 or 0.25) to the indicated amplitude from control signals. This parameter change reduces power consumption during each operation while accumulating positional adjustments over multiple smaller steps
3Measurement precision
If the actuator responds to all control signals, then the system control precision is improved, but the battery life deteriorates due to increased operation frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The controller selectively responds to control signals by filtering out minor amplitude changes through threshold comparison. This partial response strategy maintains control precision for significant position changes while ignoring negligible adjustments that would unnecessarily deplete battery power
Solution Approach 2:
The controller implements feedback by continuously monitoring the amplitude of position changes and comparing against a threshold. This feedback mechanism enables intelligent decision-making about when to activate the actuator, balancing control responsiveness with battery conservation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Actuator controller. An actuator controller (9) comprising: an input interface (11) configured to receive input signals from a site controller (7); an output interface (12) configured to send output signals to a valve actuator (5); a processor (10) in operative communication being configured to: read a first input signal indicative of a first actuator position from a site controller (7); after reading the first input signal, read a second input signal indicative of a second actuator position from the site controller (7); determine a difference between the actuator positions indicated by the first input signal and by the second input signal; if and only if the difference value exceeds a predetermined threshold: determine an output signal as a function of the first input signal and as a function of the second input signal; and employ the output interface (12) to send the output signal to the valve actuator (5).